NMC BOARD ACTION ITEM
The following optimal steps are recommended for Action Items submitted to the NMC Board of Regents:
1.
2.
3.
Collaborative review and discussion between NMC Board and President and/or Designated Staff—including proposed
action, objective/ramifications of action, and alternatives.
Review by those directly affected by the proposed action, including recommendation by Management Team.
Information as defined in this form, presented as information to the Board prior to the meeting at which action is
requested.
Please attach a detailed proposal for actions of major strategic significance or that have budget impact of more than $25,000.
Attach addition information as needed for reference and explanation.
To be presented by: Leo Pangelinan
Drafted by: Leo Pangelinan
For Action at Meeting (Date): July 24, 2014
For Action at future meeting (Date):
If policy, is this first or second reading? First Reading
Requested Action: Adopt as a policy statement under 400s Student Affairs
Objectives/Purpose of the Action: (what problem will be solved; what situation improved): This policy will
provide students with a BOR sanctioned avenue to bring forward complaints concerning instruction or grades.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
1.
Has this subject appeared in previous Board meetings and/or minutes: (If yes, give date and copies of
reference materials) No.
2.
Will this action impact the NMC budget this year? (If yes, how will it be budgeted for?) No.
3.
How does this action item align with the NMC’s Strategic Goals? It aligns nicely with the following
2015-2020 strategic goals/objectives under Imperative Four – Improve Student Success and Support:
(C) Provide data in a format that will improve and lead the institution to success.
(D) Understand students by obtaining more information about them and their educational goals.
(E) Provide innovative and high quality support services that enable students to successfully navigate
their pathway to achieving their educational goals.
4.
What are the short term and long range strategic implications of this action? In the short term, this
policy will require the institution to develop a process for the resolution of complaints concerning instruction
or grades. A procedure currently exists, but only addresses student disagreements with grades. In the longterm, complaints documented through this grievance process will assist the college in addressing instructional
quality as well as improve students’ educational experiences.
5.
What areas of the college or stakeholders will be impacted by this action? How have they provided
input? This policy and resulting implementing procedure recognizes complaints directed at the instructor
regarding instruction and a process for resolving such complaints. Students and instructional faculty will be
the primary stakeholders impacted by an action to adopt this policy. This policy and draft implementing
procedure is scheduled to be introduced at the next College Council meeting for feedback from all constituent
groups.
6.
What alternatives, if any, have been identified?
a. The BOR may choose to include language in the current 4008 Student Grievances/Complaints
policy to ensure that college grievance processes are also for complaints against instructors for
instruction or grades.
b. The BOR may choose to defer adoption of this policy to the President’s authority to establish
procedures. For example, the College currently has a “Grade Appeal” procedure published in its
catalog. This procedure can be expanded to include steps students may use to resolve complaints
against an instructor for academic processes or instructional practices/quality.
7.
If a policy recommendation, are there other related policies outstanding or previously
appealed? If so, define: See 4008 Student Grievances/Complaints which reads: “At Northern Marianas
College (NMC), students who feel their rights as students have been violated may take their complaint
through the student grievance process.”