OSU STU EMP (All Sections): Grievance Process

Purpose

To provide a defined process for resolving student employment-related issues or grievances.

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Applicability

Student Employees, including only those graduate students who are employed on an hourly-wage basis.

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Background Information

This policy is in compliance with OAR 576-022-0045.

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Definition

University Student Employee

A student employed by Oregon State University (as distinguished from OSU students employed by a non-OSU entity).

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Policy

University student employees who have employment-related complaints or grievances may seek to resolve such matters through the procedures listed below.  Grievances must be filed within the established time frame.  Any grievance filed late may be accepted if a valid reason barred the grievance from being filed on time.

Every effort shall be made to resolve the issue at the earliest possible point in the process.  The last step in the grievance process is with the Dean or Vice Provost and any decision by a Dean or Vice Provost is final.

Students may request the ASOSU Advocate assist them throughout the process.  The ASOSU representative may act as an Ombudsman in attempting to resolve the conflict at the earliest time, and in providing procedural guidance to the student worker.   The student Advocate can be reached at 541-737-8237, student.advocate@oregonstate.edu, or at the ASOSU office in Student Involvement, Snell Hall.

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Procedure

Responsible Party	Action
University Student Employee	Notify in writing the student's immediate supervisor within 15 calendar days of the time the student first has knowledge of the act or omission precipitating the grievance.
Supervisor	Make reasonable efforts to respond to or resolve the grievances. Render in writing decisions detrimental to the student employee’s position, and deliver it to the student employee within 5 business days of receipt of the grievance.
University Student Employee	If student is unable to discuss or resolve the matter with their immediate supervisor, they may discuss the matter individually with the department's hiring officials. The request for this discussion shall be made in writing to the hiring official within 7 calendar days of the receipt of the supervisor's written decision.
Hiring Officials	Render written decisions within 5 working days after receipt of the specific grievances. Review a copy of the written decision with the student worker. Apprise the student employee of additional courses of action if he or she is not satisfied with the written decision.
University Student Employees	If unsatisfied with Hiring Official's decision, submit grievance in writing to the Department Head or Director within 7 days of receipt of the Hiring Official’s written decision.
Department Head or Director	Render a written decision within 10 working days of receipt of the grievance.
University Student Employees	If unsatisfied with decision, appeal in writing within 7 calendar days of receipt of the Department Head’s written decision, to the Dean’s Office of the College the student worker is employed in, or Vice Provost if the student is employed by the Division of Student Affairs.
Dean or Vice Provost	Render a final written decision within 10 working days of receipt of the grievance.

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Exceptions

1.  Discrimination or Sexual Harassment

Employment grievances based on discrimination or sexual harassment must be submitted to the Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity (AAEO).  Phone # 541-737-3556.

2.  Graduate Students

Graduate students holding appointments as graduate teaching assistants or graduate research assistants with appointments ranging from .20 to .49 FTE will follow specific employment grievance procedures dependent upon the graduate student’s appointment.

Graduate assistants who are not represented by the Coalition of Graduate Employees, American Federation of Teachers Local 6069 who wish to appeal the terms and conditions of their employment should view the “Grievance Procedures for Graduate Students at Oregon State University” on the Graduate School web site.

Graduate assistants whose terms and conditions of employment are prescribed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between OSU, OUS, and the Coalition of Graduate Employees, American Federation of Teachers Local 6069 should refer to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Graduate students who have been approved by the Graduate School for academic appointment as research assistants, instructors, or other faculty ranks will follow the same procedures for grievances related to employment as employees not enrolled as graduate students.

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