Student Complaints
These student grievance procedures are established so that students can resolve difficulties/problems they encounter in college-related activities. Efforts will be made to resolve a grievance in a timely and fair manner. Students who contend they have been treated unfairly have the right, without fear of reprisal, to use a written procedure in their attempt to right an alleged wrong. Student grievances are taken seriously; therefore, the grievance must be of a compelling, substantive, and verifiable nature.
Board Policy is available at the Kern Community College District website.
Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation
Cerro Coso Community College and the Kern Community College District are committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and all access to institutional programs and activities. The District, and each individual who represents the District, shall provide access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race and ethnicity, color, ethnic group identification, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or military and veteran status, or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The District shall be free of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation.
More Information about discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
Board Policy 3410 - Non-Discrimination
Board Policy 3420 - Equal Employment Opportunity
Board Policy 3430 - Prohibition of Harassment
Administrative Procedure 3420 - Equal Employment Opportunity
Administrative Procedure 3430 - Prohibition of Harassment
Complaint Against a Faculty, Staff Member, or Administrator
In the pursuit of their educational goals, students should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the academic community. A grievance may be initiated by students when they believe that they have been subject to unjust action or denied their rights as stipulated in published district regulations, state laws, or federal laws. Such action may be initiated by students against a faculty, staff member, or administrator.
More Information about a complaint against a faculty, staff member, or administrator
Administrative Procedure 5530 – Student Rights and Grievances
Grade Appeal
When grades are given for any course of instruction taught at Cerro Coso Community College and any colleges of Kern Community College District, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the instructor of the course, and the determination of the student’s grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final. Any student may file a written request with the vice president of instruction to correct or remove information recorded in the student’s records which the student alleges to be: (1) inaccurate; (2) an unsubstantiated personal conclusion or inference; (3) a conclusion or inference outside of the observer’s area of competence; or (4) not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted. A student’s first request of a grade change shall be from the instructor. A grade appeal may be filed only for course grades at the end of the term.
More Information about a Grade Appeal
Board Policy 4231 - Grade Changes
Administrative Procedure 4231 – Grade Changes
Report an Accident or Security Incident
Student safety is the top priority of Cerro Coso Community College. It is important and necessary that any student who witnesses or experiences a security incident or accident on campus uses the confidential reporting platform for a prompt and efficient response from the college’s Safety and Security Administration.
More Information about reporting a security incident or accident
