Grievance Policy

It is the policy of Northeastern University to comply with all laws governing access by and discrimination against students with disabilities. Accordingly, any student who believes that there has been a violation of these laws is encouraged to discuss the matter with the director of the Disability Resource Center and other persons identified by the director, or with the director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity, to resolve the matter in a prompt and equitable manner. If such discussions do not resolve the matter, the student may then initiate a grievance by taking these steps outlined below:

All grievances made by students on the basis of being disabled are considered as being made to the President of the university.
In the case of a grievance, the student should discuss the objection with the individual responsible for the office or department where the objection was initially raised.
If not satisfied, the student should discuss the objection with the dean of the college or director under which the department falls.
If the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, the student should complete a grievance form and file a written request for a formal hearing with the Grievance Committee for Students with Disabilities. The request should be filed with the vice president for student affairs. Upon receipt of a written request for a formal hearing, the grievance committee (including one faculty member from the student's college, one faculty member not from the student's college, one representative from the Disability Resource Center, a representative from the Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity, the vice president for student affairs or a designee, and another administrator not from student affairs) must hold a hearing with three calendar weeks. The grievance committee must allow a full and fair opportunity for the presentation of evidence relevant to the reason(s) for the hearing request, and must render a decision in writing to the requesting student within one week of the conclusion of the hearing. The director of affirmative action and diversity is compliance officer for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.