The college prides itself in maintaining good relations with its students. It is our goal that you, our current or former student, be completely satisfied with our college, but we recognize that good faith differences of opinion can occur. Recognizing that each student is a unique individual with different needs, concerns, and perceptions, it is the policy of this college to attempt to meet students’ needs and concerns if the College is reasonably able to do so. To resolve disputes quickly, fairly, and in good faith the College has developed this Dispute Resolution Procedure. By enrolling, students agree to follow each step-in good faith. If you have any questions about these procedures contact the College President.
- DISPUTE * - If a dispute or concern arises, we suggest that you, the student, and college instructor or the official involved, should both attempt to settle the matter informally between the two of you. That’s really the best resolution to any kind of dispute.
- GRIEVANCE * - If the dispute is not informally resolved at Step A above, you must file a written complaint using the term “Grievance” with the College President describing the dispute in detail and the requested solution. A written response and proposed resolution will be provided to you by the college.
- MEDIATION * - If you are not satisfied with the college’s response at Step B above, you must make a written request for “mediation”. If you fail to file a written request for mediation within one (1) year of the college’s response and proposed resolution and you will be legally barred from filing a lawsuit. The college will pay any administrative fees and mediator fees and shall select a Mediator/Mediation organization, which may include, but not limited to: (a) an American Arbitration Association member; (b) a retired state judge; or (c) an attorney with mediation experience and/or State Bar sponsored training in mediation. The College may waive mediation, in which case either party may request arbitration.
- ARBITRATION * - If you are still not satisfied, you are required to arbitrate the dispute. See the college arbitration agreement for details on your obligation to arbitrate.
* These procedures are optional for and do not apply to (1) borrower defense claims filed by Title IV borrowers under 34 CFR Part 685, Subpart D; provided that, arbitration may be required if the prohibition against arbitration contained in such regulation is repealed or otherwise legally invalidated; (2) complaints covered by NC-SARA policy.
Students with concerns/complaints may also use the following procedures:
- Students may file complaints with the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 730, North Bethesda, MD 20852, Phone (301) 291-7550, https://abhes.org/complaint-process/ and, or
- Students may file complaints with the West Virginia Community and Technical College Systems (WVCTCS), 1018 Kanawha Blvd, East, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25301, (304) 558-0265 www.wvctcs.org, or other government agencies.
- Students taking online courses have the right to file a complaint with the distance educational national oversight body known as the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), https://nc-sara.org/student-complaints.
- These procedures are subject to local controlling law (and for students receiving Title IV federal financial aid, USDOE regulation) and are not enforceable to the extent limited/prohibited by applicable law and do not include sexual harassment claims.