De Anza College strives to treat all students fairly, but as in any complex organization, conflicts and misunderstandings can arise from time to time. 

More Information

Students have certain rights under the rules and regulations of the college, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and the state of California.

If you feel that your rights have been violated by the college, you have the right to seek a resolution. The district board of trustees established Administrative Procedure 5530 to provide an avenue for relief. De Anza’s student grievance procedures are summarized in the steps listed below on this webpage.

Please note that this process is intended for grievances that fall under one of the following categories:

  • Course grades – if you believe there was a mistake, fraud, bad faith or incompetence. (See California Education Code Section 76224 (a).) This does not include non-evaluative symbols such as "I", "W", "RD" or "IP."
  • Acts or threats of intimidation or harassment, not related to sexual harassment or discrimination. (For issues related to sexual harassment or discrimination, consult the college's Title IX website.)
  • Imposition of punishment without allowing the right to a fair conduct hearing
  • Exercise of free expression protected by state and federal constitutions and Education Code Section 76120

Informal Grievance Resolution

Please remember the following deadlines and check the academic calendar for the dates of each quarter:

  • You must submit the informal grievance form no later than the last day of finals week in the quarter immediately following the quarter in which the events took place, or in which you became aware of the events.
    • For example, if the events occurred during fall quarter, you must submit the informal grievance form no later than the last day of finals in the subsequent winter quarter.
    • If the events occurred during summer session, you must submit the informal grievance form no later than the last day of finals week in fall quarter.
  • If it becomes necessary to pursue a formal grievance, you must submit the formal grievance form within 30 days of the date that you file the informal grievance form.

Step 1: First, you must submit the Informal Grievance or Complaint Form using Maxient, the college's online reporting system.

Step 2: Next, try to solve the problem informally with the instructor or staff member. You must confer with the other parties involved and try to resolve the problem

Step 3: If you are unable to resolve the issue after Step 2, you must meet with the manager of the other person involved in the dispute – either the division dean for a faculty member or the supervisor for a college administrator or classified professional staff member.

Step 4: If the situation is still unresolved, you must confer with the vice president who oversees the division dean or supervisor, or with the vice president’s designee.

Step 5: If you still aren't satisfied, you may consult with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and if they advise that your complaint is appropriate for the grievance process, you may file a formal grievance report. 

Formal Grievance Resolution

Step 6: To file a formal grievance, you must submit the Formal Grievance Form in the Maxient reporting system no more than 30 days after filing the informal grievance form.  

  • The Formal Grievance Form will be issued to you by the Student Grievance Officer, only after the informal process has been completed.
  • On the form, you will need to list the specific rule or law that you feel was violated as well as the details of the situation.
  • You will also have the ability to upload copies of any pertinent documents with your form. 

Step 7: After you submit the Formal Grievance Form, you will receive an immediate acknowledgement of your submission at the email address you provided on the form.

Step 8: The Grievance Review Board will review your grievance and decide if it meets the standards for filing and for further consideration. The Office of Student Development will contact you if the board agrees to schedule a hearing, usually within 30 days after the formal grievance has been submitted.

Step 9: The nature of the hearing will vary according to the circumstances and the discretion of the grievance officer. You and the others involved can be accompanied by, or represented by, any other individual who is not an attorney. You may purchase a copy of the official record of the hearing.

Step 10: The Grievance Review Board will try to decide – within 14 days after the hearing – the outcome of your grievance and whether you are entitled to any relief. The board will forward its recommendation to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, who will forward it to the college president.

Step 11: The president or the president’s designee will have the final decision regarding the outcome of your grievance. If any violation is determined to be the result of a district rule, or some other factor outside the college’s control, the president or the president’s designee will recommend appropriate action to the district chancellor or trustees. The president’s office will notify you in writing of the outcome.

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