University of Nebraska at Kearney
March 1995
Acts of prohibited discrimination will not be tolerated in the work or academic environment, nor will acts of prohibited discrimination be permitted outside the work or academic environment, if such acts affect the normal work or academic environment.
Grievance procedures are available to any employee, applicant for employment, student, candidate for admission, campus visitor or other invitee, licensee or university volunteer who believes he or she has not received the benefits of the Nondiscrimination or Sexual Harassment Policies. The University reserves the right to take appropriate action against prohibited discrimination affecting the academic or work environment in the absence of a complaint from an individual.
If an incident of alleged prohibited discrimination involves the act of a UNK student, an inquiry or complaint may be made with the Vice Chancellor for Student Life.
If an incident of alleged prohibited discrimination involves the act of a UNK employee (e.g., faculty, staff, or administrator), there are three ways of seeking a resolution to the situation. Your options include:
- INQUIRY: Ask about it!
If you are seeking information about the Nondiscrimination Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy, or grievance procedures, but do not wish to initiate any action, you may contact a University representative. Your inquiry will not be acted upon on your behalf unless an informal or formal complaint is made.
- INFORMAL COMPLAINT: Ask for help!
UNK encourages informal resolution of complaints of alleged prohibited discrimination. Complaints can be made to the AA/EO Director, a Department Chair, Director, Dean, or Vice Chancellor who is the immediate supervisor of the person(s) about whom you are complaining.
Your complaint will be informally investigated on your behalf using the information you provide and will attempt to address the resolution you request. An informal complaint may be resolved in three ways:
- * mutually satisfactory solution
- * finding no viable informal solution
- * dismissal of the complaint
- FORMAL COMPLAINT: Ask for a decision!
You have the right to a formal hearing without going through the informal complaint process, or to appeal the informal resolution. A formal complaint or notice of appeal shall be placed in writing, signed and presented to the AA/EO Director, in accordance with the time allowances. The complaint or appeal shall set forth a request for a formal hearing. Hearing procedures are available from the AA/EO office.
Retaliation:
There shall be no retaliation against any person who in good faith participates in or takes advantage of these procedures.
Confidentiality:
Every effort is made to protect the confidentiality of those who participate in or take advantage of these procedures.
Withdrawing a complaint:
The grievant may withdraw a complaint at any point prior to the completion of a formal hearing.
Please contact the University of Nebraska at Kearney Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Office for more complete information on the Grievance Procedures Relating to Alleged Prohibited Discrimination.