Grievance Redressal PolicyStudent Grievance Redressal Mechanism at Raja N. L. Khan Women's College1. Introduction and Purpose At Raja N. L. Khan Women’s College, the Student Grievance Redressal Mechanism is designed to address and resolve the grievances and concerns of students in a fair, transparent, and efficient manner. The purpose of this mechanism is to ensure a conducive academic environment and to uphold the rights and interests of students. 2. Grievance Redressal Committee a. Formation: A Student Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC) is constituted at the beginning of each academic year. This committee typically comprises senior faculty members, a student representative, and administrative staff. The Principal of the college serves as the Chairperson, and the committee is responsible for overseeing the grievance redressal process. b. Responsibilities: The SGRC’s main responsibilities include receiving and reviewing grievances of any nature, investigating complaints, and providing resolutions or recommendations. The committee also ensures that grievances are addressed in accordance with the college's policies and procedures. 3. Submission of Grievances a. Formal Submission: Students can submit their grievances in writing in the college office or write through online portal in the college website. The students need to provide detailed information about their grievance, including the nature of the issue, relevant dates, and any supporting evidence. b. Informal Resolution: For minor issues, students are encouraged to first approach their class teachers, mentors or the relevant department heads informally. This step often helps in resolving grievances swiftly without formal escalation. 4. Acknowledgment and Initial Review a. Acknowledgment: Upon receiving a grievance, the Principal and SGRC acknowledges the receipt within a specified period, usually 3-5 working days. b. Initial Review: The SGRC conducts an initial review to determine the nature and severity of the grievance. If the issue is deemed serious or beyond the committee’s purview, it may be escalated to higher authorities, such as the college ICC or a specialized sub-committee. 5. Investigation and Resolution a. Investigation: The committee conducts a thorough investigation into the grievance. This may involve gathering evidence, interviewing the complainant and other relevant parties, and reviewing relevant documents or records. b. Resolution: Based on the investigation findings, the committee proposes a resolution or corrective action. This may include measures such as changes in academic practices, disciplinary actions against individuals, or other appropriate remedies. 6. Communication of Resolution a. Decision Communication: The decision and resolution are communicated to the student/s. This includes the rationale behind the decision and any steps taken to address the grievance. b. Feedback: Students are given the opportunity to provide feedback on the grievance redressal process, ensuring transparency and accountability. 7. Appeal Mechanism a. Appeal Process: If a student is dissatisfied with the resolution provided by the SGRC, they may appeal to the college’s appellate authority. This authority is typically a higher-level committee or the Principal, who reviews the case and makes a final decision. b. Timeliness: The appeal process is designed to be prompt, with decisions usually made within a specified timeframe to ensure timely resolution. 8. Confidentiality and Protection a. Confidentiality: The grievance redressal process is conducted with strict confidentiality to protect the privacy of the complainant and the integrity of the investigation. b. Anti-retaliation: The college ensures that no student faces retaliation or discrimination for filing a grievance. Any such actions are themselves considered a serious offense and are addressed accordingly. 9. Record Keeping and Monitoring a. Documentation: All grievances and their resolutions are documented and maintained securely. This helps in monitoring trends and improving the grievance redressal process. b. Review: The SGRC periodically reviews the grievance redressal mechanism to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that the process remains effective and responsive to students' needs. 10. Awareness and Training a. Awareness: The college conducts awareness programs to inform students about the grievance redressal mechanism and how to use it effectively. b. Training: Faculty and staff are trained on grievance handling to ensure a supportive and responsive approach to student concerns. |
