Academic Standards & Policies
Resolution of Grievances
The University tries to resolve grievances quickly and fairly. In Buddhism,resolving disputes is an essential part of communal life. Thus, in this University, special emphasis is placed on maintaining harmony and fellowship among students, faculty, and staff. Helping University students resolve their problems and rectifying situations that may have led to injustices or misunderstandings is an essential part of the administrative and faculty functioning.
Students who wish to lodge complaints may follow the procedure below.
Where to Lodge Complaints
The ad hoc Committee on Program Standards assists to resolve complaints. The members of this committee currently are: Bhikshu Heng Lyu, Bhikshuni Heng Ch’ih, Bhikshuni Heng Liang, Bhikshuni Heng Syin, John Chu,
Douglas Powers, and Snjezana Akpinar. These individuals are available by appointment and/or during regular office hours, and have mail boxes on campus that are accessible to students.
How Hearings Are Conducted
A student may lodge a complaint by communicating orally or in writing to any instructor, administrator, admissions personnel, or counselor. The recipient of the complaint will pass it to the Committee on Program Standards as soon as possible. Those lodging oral complaints will be asked to submit written, signed statements of the particular of the complaint.
Upon receiving a written, signed complaint, the Committee on Program Standards will review the complaint, along with any related documents, and will interview the student and any persons associated with the complaint. Valid complaints will be further investigated to determine if other students
are being affected by the circumstance or incident under complaint. A response will be given to the student within ten days after a written complaint is filed with the Committee on Program Standards.
Resolution of Complaints
The Committee on Program Standards will notify a student when the complaint lodged is deemed valid or invalid and a counselor or the Committee will work with the student to try to resolve any associated difficulties in a reasonable manner.
Complaints will be documented with a reference summary of complaint and action placed in the student’s file.
Valid complaints that involve infractions of the law should be reported to the Council if not resolved within thirty days.
Effect of Complaints
No student’s right or remedies will be limited or waived as a result of his or her participation in a complaint procedure or as a result of the decision regarding the complaint. Any member who serves on the Committee for Program Standards shall not be terminated in his/her volunteer services as a result of involvement in or decisions made regarding any complaint case.
The first step in resolving a grievance that arises is for the student to discuss the matter with his/her advisor or a faculty member in whom the student places confidence. Informal meetings may also be held both with the student
and with the faculty or staff members involved in the grievance to help restore a working relationship based in fairness, and to resolve the particulars of the grievance. In most cases, the grievance can be resolved at that level. If these measures do not solve the problem, larger meetings of faculty and staff may be held, or the aggrieved individual may further pursue a grievance through the appropriate administrative levels in hierarchical order; that is, first approaching a dean, then the Vice-President of Academic Affairs or a managing officer, and finally, if a satisfactory resolution has not been reached, a letter may be sent to the Board or the President of the University to pass judgment about the details of the case.
ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS CONCERNING THIS SCHOOL WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY ANSWERED OR RESOLVED BY THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, 400 “R” STREET, SUITE 5000, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-6200; P.O. BOX 980818, WEST SACRAMENTO, CA 95798-0818. |
