Student Complaint & Grievance Procedures

View the summary of the LACCD Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures

LASC and the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) are committed to the philosophy of equal opportunity/equal access in all its employment, educational programs, and services. Thus, we are firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of actual or perceived ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex (including gender-based sexual harassment), pregnancy, cancer-related medical condition of an employee, marital status, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status in our employment and educational programs and activities.

Equal Opportunity Policy Compliance Procedure

In order to ensure compliance with the Equal Opportunity Policy at Los Angeles Southwest College, please direct inquiries to the Vice President, Student Services, at (323) 241-5298. In addition, inquiries may be directed to the District Office of Diversity Programs at (213) 891-2315.

Summary of Sexual Harassment Policy

The policy of the Los Angeles Community College District is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication constituting sexual harassment. Employees, students, or other persons acting on behalf of the district who engage in sexual harassment as defined in the policy or by state or federal law shall be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge, expulsions, or termination of a contract.

Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure

In order to ensure compliance with the Sexual Harassment Policy at Los Angeles Southwest College, please direct inquiries to the Vice President, Student Services, at (323) 241-5298. In addition, inquiries may be directed to the District Office of Diversity Programs at (213) 891-2315.The specific rules and procedures for reporting charges of sexual harassment and for pursuing available remedies are incorporated in the Board Rules in Chapter 15. The Los Angeles Community College District has a policy that provides formal and informal procedures for resolving complaints. Copies of the policy and procedures may be obtained by calling the District Office of Diversity Programs at (213) 891-2315. All members of the college community, which includes student, faculty, and staff, who believe they have experienced conduct that may constitute sexual harassment, have the right to seek help from the college. Every employee has the responsibility to report such conduct to the LASC Compliance Officer when it is directed toward students. Potential complainants are advised that administrative and civil law remedies, including but not limited to injunctions, restraining orders, or other orders, may be made available.

See below for instructions on how to proceed with complaints in various areas.

Instructor of record – The student must first seek to resolve the concern with the instructor of record.

Dept. Chair – If the student does not agree with the outcome of their meeting with the instructor or would like to take their concern to the next level, they should be recommended to the department chair.

Academic Dean – If the student does not agree with the decision of the department chair or would like to take their concern to the next level, they should be recommended to go to the appropriate academic dean.

Ombudsperson ( for grievance in accordance with E-55) – If the matter cannot be remedied by academic dean to the satisfaction of the student, and the student would like to seek further recourse, the student should be recommended to the ombudsperson ( who is housed in the Student Services Division), as the student has the right to grieve their concern. The grievance process is a formal process, which the grievant presents their argument in a written format to a pre-selected grievance committee of faculty, administrators, and students.

Grievance Appeal Committee – In accordance with E-55, if a student does not agree with the decision of the grievance committee, the student may appeal the decision. This committee is comprised of the VPAA, VPSS, Academic Senate President, and a faculty member, appointed by the Senate. The written recommendation of the grievance appeals committee, after the concerns have been heard, is sent to the President, for the final decision at the campus level.

For assistance and information regarding the Student Grievance Procedure, contact the Vice President, Student Services, at (323) 241-5298

See below for instructions on how to proceed with complaints in various areas.

Instructor of record – The student must first seek to resolve the concern with the instructor of record.

Dept. Chair – If the student does not agree with the outcome of their meeting with the instructor or would like to take their concern to the next level, they should be recommended to the department chair.

Academic Dean – If the student does not agree with the decision of the department chair or would like to take their concern to the next level, they should be recommended to go to the appropriate academic dean.

Ombudsperson ( for grievance in accordance with E-55) – If the matter cannot be remedied by academic dean to the satisfaction of the student, and the student would like to seek further recourse, the student should be recommended to the ombudsperson ( who is housed in the Student Services Division), as the student has the right to grieve their concern. The grievance process is a formal process, which the grievant presents their argument in a written format to a pre-selected grievance committee of faculty, administrators, and students.

Grievance Appeal Committee – In accordance with E-55, if a student does not agree with the decision of the grievance committee, the student may appeal the decision. This committee is comprised of the VPAA, VPSS, Academic Senate President, and a faculty member, appointed by the Senate. The written recommendation of the grievance appeals committee, after the concerns have been heard, is sent to the President, for the final decision at the campus level.

For assistance and information regarding the Student Grievance Procedure, contact the Vice President, Student Services, at (323) 241-5298

Every effort will be made to resolve the matter through the informal process. The student should schedule a meeting with the person(s) involved in the dispute, as well as the person’s immediate supervisor, the corresponding Dean of Academic Affairs/Student Services, and a Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) professional.

In situations when an agreement cannot be reached informally, the student may file a written request for a formal hearing with the LASC Compliance Officer/Dean of Student Services. An Academic Accommodations Review Committee will be selected to review the grievance. The panel will include two faculty members, two administrative members, and the DSPS Coordinator or designee (non-voting). If the student is dissatisfied with the Academic Accommodations Panel’s decision, he/she may appeal to the College President.

The student may also file a formal discrimination complaint with the LASC Compliance Officer who will then follow the established steps outlined Chapter XV of the LACCD Board Rules.

The student still has the right of external appeal to the Office of Civil Rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Contact information: V: 1 (800) 421-3481 TTY: 1 (877) 521-2172. The US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights offers guidance on how to file a discrimination complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.

In accordance with federal regulations, the California Community College Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) administers a state-level complaint process. This is so students and others have a method and process outside of the institution that takes, investigates, and responds to complaints regarding the institution.

Visit the California Community College Chancellor's Office Complaint Process web-page and follow the instructions there to present a complaint to:

• The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) if your complaint is associated with the institution’s compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards. (ACCJC is the agency that accredits the academic programs of the California Community Colleges.)
• To the CCC Chancellor’s Office Complaints Form if your complaint does not concern CCC’s compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards.
• To the CCC Chancellor’s Office Legal Affairs website if your complaint involves unlawful discrimination.

Role of the LASC Compliance Officer

The LASC Compliance Officer acts as the first contact for student and faculty/staff complaints dealing with alleged sexual harassment, academic disability accommodation complaints, or with age, gender, race or ethnic group discrimination. The LASC Compliance Officer, is the Vice President, Student Services, and can be reached at (323) 241-5298. The LASC Compliance Officer will work with the District Office of Diversity Programs to resolve complaints according to established procedures and LACCD Board Rules.

Role of the LASC Ombudsperson

The president of LASC appoints an Ombudsperson to assist students with their grievances (i.e. grades, discipline, etc.). The Ombudsperson facilitates the grievance procedure and assists students to resolve their grievances. The Ombudsperson also will arrange for a Student Grievance Hearing Committee to hear a student grievance when appropriate and arrange for the assistance of a Student Advocate as needed. The Ombudsperson is the Vice President, Student Services, and can be reached at (323) 241-5298.

LACCD Office of Diversity Programs

The District Office of Diversity Programs and the LACCD Compliance Officers handle complaints dealing with alleged sexual harassment; age, gender, race or ethnic group discrimination; and grade disputes. The District Office of Diversity Programs can be reached at (213) 891-2315.