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ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY

Board Policy 4030 ACADEMIC FREEDOM relation to their subject. College faculty are members of a learned profession,
and officers of an educational institution. When they communicate as
The Board of Trustees of Glendale Community College affirms that institutions individuals, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but
of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars
interest of either the individual faculty member or the institution as a whole. and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their
The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its exposition. profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all
times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect
Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to all disciplines. for the Glendale Community College District, opinions of others, and should
Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.
freedom in all disciplines is fundamental for the protection of the rights of
the faculty and the student. It carries with it duties correlative with rights, Faculty are entitled to due process, where applicable under the provision of
regardless of employment status. the Guild contract, and where applicable under the Grievance Procedure as
conducted under the provisions of Board Policy 4050.
The academic community “is a questioner, a worrier, a critic, and idealist, seeking
a better way toward human aspiration and fulfillment.” Academic freedom is Academic Responsibility
essential for the maintenance of excellence in education, and moreover, exists Membership in the academic community imposes on students, faculty
so that society may have benefits of objective and independent criticism, and members, and administrators an obligation to respect the dignity of others, to
honest answers to scientific, social and artistic questions that might otherwise acknowledge their right to express differing opinions, and to foster and defend
be withheld for fear of offending an influential social group or transient social intellectual honesty, in instruction and counseling, and expression on and off
attitude. Accordingly, there shall be no adverse consequences to employment campus. In addition, faculty are responsible for but not limited to policies
status (hiring, promotion, and retention) as a result of expressions protected by and procedures defined in board policy, administrative regulations, and the
academic freedom. employment contract between the district and the Guild.
Academic Freedom Students are entitled to an atmosphere conducive to learning and to even-
Faculty members are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication handed treatment in all aspects of the faculty-students relationship.
of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic
duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding Board Policy 4030 ACADEMIC FREEDOM can be found online at
with the authorities of the institution. www.glendale.edu.
Faculty are entitled to freedom in discussing their subject, but they should be
careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no
STUDENT GRIEVANCE POLICY

Student Grievance Procedures grade if they are prepared to carry the burden of proving one or more of the
Glendale Community College is committed to providing a prompt and following conditions as specified by law:
equitable means of resolving student complaints against actions taken by the • A mistake in the assignment of the grade or in the process of its recording
college and its employees. Students may elect to pursue a grievance if they • Fraud
believe a college decision or action has adversely affected their status, rights, • Bad faith
or privileges as students. • Incompetence
What can a student grieve? A student must file a grade appeal with the instructor within the next regular
Students may file grievances against actions by GCC employees in areas semester (as specified in the applicable class schedule) following the award of
including, but not limited to the following: the exercise of rights of free the original grade. The student is expected to make a reasonable effort to
expression; violation of published GCC rules, Board policies, and administrative resolve the matter on an informal basis with the instructor. If the grade appeal
regulations; and final grade assignments and other academic decisions. cannot be settled informally then the student may request a meeting with the
appropriate division chairperson who will attempt to resolve the grievance.
Non-Grade Complaints
A student may address a complaint about an action taken by a college If the division chairperson cannot resolve the grade appeal then the student
employee that does not involve course grades through the grievance process. may request a conference with the appropriate dean. The dean will attempt
Informal meetings and discussions between persons directly involved in a non- to resolve the grade appeal through compromise, negotiated settlement, or a
grade grievance are essential and encouraged at all stages of the dispute. If the recommendation that is satisfactory to the student and instructor. If the dean
grievance cannot be resolved directly with the involved employee, the student is unable to resolve the complaint and the student wishes to continue the grade
may request a meeting with the appropriate administrator/manager or division appeal process, the student may submit a written request for a formal grade
chairperson who shall attempt to resolve the issue informally. appeal hearing to the Campus Judicial Board.
If no informal resolution is reached with the administrator/manager or division The Campus Judicial Board will conduct a closed hearing and based on the
chairperson that is satisfactory to the student, the student may submit a written examination of supporting documents and testimony may take the following
complaint and request for a conference with the appropriate senior GCC actions: 1) accept the formal grade appeal and recommend an administrative
administrator as follows: grade change; 2) reject the formal grade appeal; and 3) make related
recommendations as appropriate. The Campus Judicial Board will issue a
• Instructional Services employees: Vice President, written decision that determines if the student established a rationale for a
Instructional Services or designee grade change according to applicable laws and includes recommendations for
• Student Services employees: Vice President, Student Services or designee the relief, if any, that should be afforded to the student. These findings are
• Administrative Services employees: Vice President, then submitted to the Superintendent/President for a final review.
Administrative Services or designee
• College administrators: Superintendent/President or designee After reviewing the report of findings and recommended actions from the
Campus Judicial Board, the Superintendent/President will issue a written
The senior administrator shall attempt to settle the grievance through decision to the involved parties. The Superintendent/President’s decision shall
mediation, negotiated agreement, or another mutually acceptable resolution. be final and binding in all formal grade appeal hearings.
Final outcomes or resolutions will be communicated to the involved parties
after the conclusion of the grievance process.
Where can a student get a copy of the GCC student grievance procedures?
Grade Appeals Copies of Board Policy 5530 regarding student grievance and procedures can be
The grade appeals procedure provides a means of resolving a student’s dispute obtained from a division chairperson, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Dean of
of an academic decision or final grade for a course. Students are entitled to Instructional Services, the Dean of Student Services, and the Dean of Admissions
an informal review and explanation of their grades by instructors who are and Records. Additionally, students may access these regulations on the GCC
obligated to provide such a review. However, students may only appeal a web site at www.glendale.edu.

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