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Student Complaint Policy

If a student has an informal complaint, please contact Michael Chen, Student Conduct Officer at michael.chen@seattlecolleges.edu.

The Student Complaints Policy (WAC 132F-121-060) describes the process students follow to complain about District or College policies and/or procedures that allegedly have not been followed by college personnel.

Informal processing of student grievances (complaints) WAC 132F-121-070.

  • The goal is to informally resolve the grievance with the employee most closely responsible for the policy, procedure, or action. The college employee and student shall make a good faith effort to resolve the issue on a one-to-one basis.
  • Both parties should openly discuss the concern, attempt to understand the other's perspective, explore alternatives and attempt to arrive at a satisfactory resolution.
  • For assistance in identifying the appropriate person a student should contact a student process advocate, Molly Brown. The student may choose to engage with the student process advocate to guide them through the informal and formal complaint process.
  • If the student complainant believes that discussion with an employee respondent will not achieve or has not achieved a satisfactory result, the student may communicate about the matter with the respondent's supervisor. For assistance in identifying the appropriate person a student should contact a student process advocate, Molly Brown. The student may choose to engage with the student process advocate to guide them through the informal and formal complaint process.
  • A student complaint/issue against an instructor or staff member should be referred to the appropriate division Dean or Administrator. District policy and procedures outline student complaints to be processed on an informal basis first. This usually entails involvement of the instructor and the Dean/Administrator to resolve the complaint at the informal level.
  • This informal process must be completed in a timely manner. In general, a student wishing to express a grievance should do so as soon as the grievance arises, but no later than the end of the quarter in which the issue occurred.
  • If the student feels the complaint was not resolved, the student has the option of filing a formal complaint online.
  • Student Complaint Policy Details | Seattle Colleges
  • Student Complaint Procedure Details | Seattle Colleges

Discrimination Complaints

For complaints related to discrimination, please utilize the following contacts:

TITLE IX/CHAPTER 28A.640 RCW OFFICER
North Seattle College: 
Michael Chen, Student Conduct Officer
michael.chen@seattlecolleges.edu 
9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103
206.934.7665

SECTION 504/ADA COORDINATOR
North Seattle College:
JD Burchfield
jd.burchfield@seattlecolleges.edu   
9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 
206.934.4710

If your complaint/grievance remains unresolved to your satisfaction after following the college’s informal and formal grievance procedures, the organizations listed below can also assist with mediation or filing a complaint:

Washington State Human Rights Commission

Office for Civil Rights Central Building
810 3rd Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104-1627

By telephone:
Voice: 206.684.4500
TTY: 206.684.4503
Fax: 206.684.0332
Website: https://www.seattle.gov/civil-rights