Governance

The Grievance Commission process

Disclaimers. This process is not a legal proceeding. The grievance process is intended to resolve internal disputes that may arise among members of the Federation but is not legally binding. This process is not meant to resolve disputes regarding the governing documents. The Committee on Rules has original jurisdiction over all matters related to the Federation Constitution and Bylaws.

​

Filing a Grievance. Grievance emails can be sent to the director of equity and inclusion, or to any other Elected Officer. The officer who receives your email will begin the process. Find officer emails here →

​

Please include the following in your email:

  • The name and contact information of the complainant(s)

  • The name of the chartered chapter(s) of which the complainant(s) is/are member(s) of

  • The name of the respondent(s) 

  • The name of the chartered chapter(s) of which the respondent(s) is/are member(s) of 

  • The type of incident

    • Grounds for filing include incidents of discrimination, sexual assault, harassment, and abuse of power. This can include but is not limited to, violations of privacy, physical altercations, verbal altercations, intimidation, cyberbullying, stereotyping, microaggressions, and conflicts of interest. 

  • A detailed account of the incident with any supporting evidence attached

​

Step 1: Impanelment. Within three days, a Grievance Commission will be impaneled. The Commission is made up of five randomly selected elected officers from the various chartered chapters and caucuses. There are some individuals who cannot be impaneled; for example, a student of the same institution. See Article 9 Section 3a-b of the Bylaws for more information. The Elected Officer with whom the grievance is filed, once the Commission has been impaneled, will notify the Speaker of the Council, who chairs the Commission, and the complainant(s).

​

Step 2: Investigation. The Commission will investigate what is alleged in the grievance and may call witnesses. The Commission must conclude its investigation within thirty days and adopted a written report of its recommendations. If a respondent in a grievance is an Elected Officer, the report is sent to the Council. If no respondent in a grievance is an Elected Officer, the report is sent to the Director of Equity and Inclusion. 

​

Step 1: Impanelment. If the report is sent to the Council, the Council may adopt the Commission's recommendation or amendment them by a two-thirds vote. (The Council is empowered to remove an Elected Officer from office, for example.) If the report is sent to the Director of Equity and Inclusion, the Director may accept the recommendations of the Commission or may impose sanctions of greater or lesser severity. The Director is also able to refer the report to the Executive Board if they feel such is necessary.

​

​