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Murray Edwards College
University of Cambridge

Student Complaint Procedure

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Student Complaint Procedure

Current Version Adopted by Council: March 2018
Review Date: Easter Term 2024
Committee Ownership: Academic Policy

Background

The College welcomes comments and suggestions from students about any aspect of College provision. Students wishing to make a suggestion or comment about the College’s provision, either academic or non‐academic, can do so informally at the point of delivery, or by contacting the person in charge of the relevant area, or where it seems appropriate by raising the matter with the Senior Tutor, their Director of Studies, or Tutor.

Occasionally, however, students may wish to make a complaint about College provision. The College subscribes to the guidelines agreed by the Senior Tutors’ Committee for the handling of student complaints, and this document sets out the procedure for making a complaint to the College. For further information, please speak to your Tutor or the Senior Tutor.

1. Glossary of key terms

1.1. In this procedure the following terms shall have the meanings set out below:

Case Handler A member of the College who determines whether a complaint is eligible to be investigated and who conducts any subsequent investigation under the Formal Resolution stage

Complainant - The Student who has made a complaint under this procedure

Complaint Officer - A trained member of staff who decides whether a complaint is upheld or dismissed under the Formal Resolution stage

Completion of Procedures Letter - A letter that confirms the end of the College’s proceedings following which a student may be able to raise a complaint with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator

Reviewer - A trained senior College member who decides whether a complaint is upheld or dismissed under the Review Stage

2. Scope and Principles

2.1. This procedure applies where a student member of the College wishes to express dissatisfaction, either about the College’s action or lack of action, or the standard of service provided by or on behalf of the College. The procedure has three stages: Informal Resolution, Formal Resolution and Review.

2.2. This procedure cannot be used to make a complaint relating to the following:

a. University provision, for which the student should consult the relevant University complaint procedures (www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk);

b. A decision made by an academic body regarding student progression, academic assessment or awards, for which the student should consult the University examination review and examination allowances procedures.

In addition, certain matters are covered by other procedures of the College and/or the University, and the College reserves the right to refer the matter to those procedures for investigation and appropriate resolution. These include:

c. Complaints against one or more members of the College or University as individuals (which may instead be addressed through relevant disciplinary procedures);

d. Complaints relating to serious harassment or sexual misconduct perpetrated by other students, which with the Complainant’s permission will be handled under the College or University Procedure for the handling of student cases of harassment and sexual misconduct.

2.3. Before making a complaint, Complainants should read the procedure. All Complainants are encouraged to seek support from a College Tutor, a member of the Students’ Unions’ Advice Service, or other advisor of the student’s choosing.

2.4. A Complainant may be invited to attend a meeting under paragraph 3.2, 4.7 and 4.10 as part of this procedure. A Complainant who is invited to attend a meeting will be entitled to choose whether or not to attend the meeting, noting that non-attendance may affect the acceptance of grounds for a Review of any formal complaint decision on the basis of incomplete evidence. The Complainant is also entitled to be accompanied by someone of the Complainant’s choosing, providing that such attendance is notified in advance of the meeting. During any meeting, the Complainant is entitled to ask for breaks during the meeting, to allow an opportunity for the Complainant to consult any accompanying person in private.

2.5. This procedure is an internal process and does not have the same degree of formality as a court of law. It is not necessary or appropriate for Complainants or the College to be legally represented at any meetings that form part of the procedure, except in exceptional circumstances.

2.6. This procedure can only be used by a student who has been affected by the subject matter of the complaint. Complaints should be made by Complainants themselves in order to ensure their views are accurately represented, unless a compelling case is made to demonstrate that the Complainant cannot act on their own behalf, and the College has received a statement in writing that the Complainant authorises a third party to act on their behalf in full. In this circumstance, the College will communicate only with the authorised representative and therefore any reference in this procedure about communication to or from a Complainant refers instead to the Complainant’s authorised representative.

2.7. Group complaints can be submitted, but a single group representative must be identified, authorised by each member of the group, with whom the College will correspond and who will be responsible for liaising with the other Complainants. In such cases, references in this procedure to the ‘Complainant’ shall be construed as referring to more than one person. The College may separate group complaints where it considers that the issues raised impact Complainants differently or where Complainants are seeking different remedies.

2.8. The College reserves the right to decide on whether or not to accept formal complaints that are made anonymously. Anonymous complaints will not normally be accepted, as this may limit the investigation and communication of the outcome. Exceptionally, an anonymous complaint may be considered if there is a compelling case, supported by evidence, for the matter to be investigated.

2.9. Complainants will not be disadvantaged for raising a genuine complaint. The College will act reasonably in considering complaints under this procedure and decisions will be made fairly and transparently. The Case Handler, Complaint Officer and Reviewer must have had no material involvement in the matters raised as part of the complaint or in the earlier stages of the procedure and will be independent and impartial.

2.10. Case Handlers, Complaint Officers and Reviewers will be appointed by the Senior Tutor. The Complainant will be advised who will take on these roles and be given the opportunity to raise any concerns with the person making the appointment relating to real or potential conflicts of interest.

2.11. Any reference in this procedure to a College officer or other named role includes a deputy appointed by that officer or role-holder to exercise the functions assigned to that officer under this procedure.

2.12. Complainants are required to raise a complaint as soon as possible and within the required timeframe (see paragraph 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1), to ensure effective remedies can be provided without further disadvantage to the Complainant. Complaints or evidence submitted outside this timeframe will not be accepted unless there is a valid reason for delay, supported by evidence, which will be judged on a case-by-case basis by the Case Handler, Complaint Officer or Reviewer, as appropriate. Delays as a result of revising or studying will not normally be accepted as a valid reason for delay.

2.13. The College aims to process any formal complaint through Formal Resolution and any Review within 90 calendar days. The 90 calendar day timeframe requires Complainants to comply with any timescales set down in this Procedure. There will occasionally be circumstances when, for good reasons, the College will need to extend the timeframe and in these circumstances the Complainant will be notified and kept updated as to the progress of their complaint.

2.14. The College will only share the information and evidence submitted in a complaint with members of staff where it is strictly necessary in order to process, investigate and consider the complaint. All information received from a Complainant will be handled sensitively and in accordance with the Policy on the use of personal information under the Student Complaint Procedure.

2.15. The Case Handler, Complaint Officer or the Reviewer may terminate consideration of a complaint if it is considered to be frivolous or vexatious. Examples of vexatious complaints are those which are obsessive, harassing or repetitive; insist on pursuing unrealistic or unreasonable outcomes and/or requests which are designed to cause disruption or annoyance. If a complaint is terminated then the Complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter.

2.16. Complainants, their advisors and staff of the College are required to communicate respectfully and reasonably at all times whilst using the procedure. Abusive or threatening behaviour and language including unreasonable persistence, unreasonable demands, lack of co-operation or any aggression or threat of aggression will not be tolerated. If, following a warning, a Complainant behaves in an unacceptable manner; the Case Handler, Complaint Officer or the Reviewer may terminate the Complainant’s request without further consideration. If a request is terminated then the Complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter.

2.17. When using this procedure, Complainants are encouraged to provide details and evidence of any disability and/or any reasonable adjustments which may be appropriate in light of their disability. Where it may be helpful and with the consent of the Complainant, an appropriately trained staff member may be asked to provide a decision regarding reasonable adjustments. When notified of a disability, the College will always consider whether reasonable adjustment to the procedure are required, based on the needs of the individual.

3. Informal Resolution

3.1. Complainants should raise complaints, in writing or in person, with their College Tutor, or with the staff member concerned as soon as possible and normally within 28 days of the matter occurring, to ensure that the matter can be investigated properly.

3.2. Following being informed of a complaint, the College Tutor or staff member should respond to the complaint in a timely manner and normally within 21 calendar days of its receipt. The response should be in writing and should include information about the ability to raise a formal complaint if the Complainant remains dissatisfied with the response. Where a response cannot be provided within 21 calendar days, the Tutor or staff member will write to the Complainant within that period to indicate the reasons for delay and when a response is likely to be provided. The Tutor or staff member may invite the Complainant to a meeting as part of an investigation, but is not obliged to hold such a meeting.

4. Formal Resolution

4.1. Where a Complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome or the timeliness of the Informal Resolution, or declines to engage with Informal Resolution, or where Informal Resolution is inappropriate, for example because the issues raised are serious or systemic, the Complainant can raise a complaint under Formal Resolution. Complainants should raise a complaint by submitting the Formal Complaint form normally within 28 days of either (a) the informal response to the complaint; or (b) the matter of complaint first arising, where the Complainant reasonably considers Informal Resolution is inappropriate. The Case Handler shall determine whether the period of 28 calendar days should run from a later date in recognition of a Complainant’s further reasonable attempts at Informal Resolution; or whether it is reasonable for the Complainant not to have attempted Informal Resolution.

4.2. The Formal Resolution form should set out the Complainant’s concerns clearly and succinctly and provide all relevant evidence to substantiate the issues raised. The Complainant should also outline what in their view would constitute a suitable outcome and remedy for their complaint. Evidence may include independent medical evidence, reports by professionals, financial information or witness statements.

4.3. A Case Handler will consider the completed Formal Resolution form and any accompanying evidence and will make one or more of the following determinations:

a. the complaint in whole or in part is eligible to be investigated using this procedure;

b. the complaint in whole or in part should be referred for consideration under an alternative procedure;

c. the complaint in whole or in part is ineligible to be considered by the College, for example because it is out of time, is not a matter that can be resolved by the College, lacks substantive content, or is considered malicious, vexatious or frivolous;

d. the Complainant should attempt Informal Resolution before investigation of the complaint under this stage of the Procedure.

e. Where matters raised within the complaint would be more appropriately considered under alternative College procedures, the Case Handler will inform the Complainant which matters will be considered under which procedure. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to suspend one procedure pending the completion of another. 4.4. Where a determination is made under paragraphs (b)-(d), the reasons for this and information about the options available to the Complainant will be provided in writing to within 7 calendar days. If the Complainant disagrees with the determination under paragraph 4.3, the reasons for the disagreement should be provided by the Complainant, in writing and within 7 calendar days of receiving the determination, to the President, Senior Tutor or Bursar who will review the determination within a further 14 calendar days. Where a complaint cannot be considered further by the College a Completion of Procedures letter will be issued.

4.5. Some complaints may require the College to take swift action, for example where the issues raised have detrimental consequences for the Complainant’s or another College member’s health and safety (including mental health) or where external time limits apply for example, in meeting regulatory requirements for the completion of courses. If this is the case, the College undertakes to deal with the Complaint and any determination as swiftly as practicable.

4.6. Where a determination is made under paragraph (a) the Complainant will be informed and the Case Handler will conduct an investigation, requiring such written statements and evidence from witnesses and Institutions concerning the events and applicable procedures, as are appropriate.

4.7. A Case Handler may or may not meet individually with the Complainant, persons who attempted to informally resolve the complaint or witnesses as part of the investigation, or collect further evidence, at the Case Handler’s discretion and where the Case Handler believes it to be beneficial to do so. Where a meeting does take place a note-taker will be present. The written notes taken will be presented to those in attendance at the meeting for factual clarification, following which the notes will become the formal record of the meeting.

4.8. The Case Handler shall prepare a report containing the process that they have followed, the information they have gathered, the conclusions that have been drawn and any recommendations. The Case Handler should also consider whether mediation or conciliation might be effective at this stage.

4.9. Following investigation, the Case Handler will provide all of the materials to a Complaint Officer.

4.10. The Complaint Officer will consider all of the materials provided. In exceptional circumstances the Complaint Officer may conduct such additional investigations as are deemed required, or hold a meeting with any individual involved in the complaint, or hold a hearing. The Complainant will receive all of the materials considered by the Complaint Officer at least 7 calendar days an advance of any meeting or hearing.

4.11. Following consideration, the Complaint Officer will have the power to make one or more of the following decisions:

a. that further steps should be taken to resolve the complaint informally (for example, through mediation with the agreement of both parties);

b. to uphold a complaint in whole or in part and where appropriate require such remedies as necessary;

c. to dismiss a complaint in whole or in part where it is found that:

i. the College acted reasonably and/or

ii. the substance of the complaint was not justified; and/or

iii. the Complainant has not been substantively disadvantaged

4.12. The Complainant will receive confirmation in writing of the Complaint Officer’s decision, along with the reasons for the decision and copies of all relevant material considered by the Complaint Officer at the conclusion of the investigation.

4.13. Regardless of the decision made, the Complaint Officer may make observations and recommendations to the College for consideration following the outcome of a complaint.

5. Review

5.1. The Complainant should confirm to the Complaint Officer whether they accept the outcomes of the formal complaint or whether they remain dissatisfied. If a Complainant is dissatisfied following the Formal Resolution decision, the Complainant can submit a Request for Review form within 14 calendar days of the Formal Resolution decision and evidence being provided to them. Alternatively, if the Complainant is dissatisfied with the decision but does not believe the reasons for the dissatisfaction would meet the grounds for a Review, the Complainant can request a Completion of Procedures letter.

5.2. The Review will not usually consider issues afresh or involve a further investigation. A Review can only be requested on the following grounds:

a. procedural irregularities that occurred during Formal Resolution, which were material or potentially material to the decision reached; and/or

b. the Formal Resolution decision is unreasonable, in that no reasonable person could have reached the same decision on the available evidence; and/or

c. the availability of new evidence, which materially impacts the complaint outcome and which, for valid reasons, could not have been submitted at an earlier stage. 5.3. A Review of the complaint is a two-stage process. On receipt of a Request for Review form, the Reviewer will consider whether there are grounds for a Review, based on an initial review of the Request and the evidence provided. If the Reviewer does not consider that the Request is eligible for review, the College will issue a Completion of Procedures letter.

5.4. If the Reviewer accepts there are valid grounds for Review, they will then consider in detail the Complainant’s Request, the information considered during Formal Resolution, the decision and any new information. The Reviewer may request further information.

5.5. Following detailed consideration, the Reviewer will have the power to either:

a. uphold the complaint in whole or in part and require such remedies as necessary; or

b. confirm the Complaint Officer’s decision. 5.6. The Complainant will receive the Reviewer’s decision and the reasons for the decision, in writing, normally within 28 calendar days of submitting the Request for Review form. This is the final stage of the College’s internal process and therefore the Complainant will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter. If a Complainant chooses to raise a complaint with the OIA, the Reviewer’s decision will still be enacted unless a review outcome from the OIA recommends otherwise.