58 Nova Southeastern University Student Handbook ** NSU also will accept oral complaints from individuals with disabilities, if, due to their disability, they are unable to file a written complaint. The university will memorialize the individual’s complaint, in writing, and the individual will certify that the written complaint is an accurate representation of the complaint. b. Referral or Dismissal of Reports Some complaints may not actually fall within the definition of discrimination set forth by university policy or otherwise may be more appropriately handled by other offices. These reports will be dismissed or referred to other offices as appropriate. c. Initial Processing of Student Complaints by the Dean of Students Upon filing of a formal complaint with the dean of students, an investigator will be appointed from the appropriate university college, office, and/or department, who will meet with the complainant within five business days to document the allegations, based on the written complaint and any other information gathered. The allegations made by the complainant will be the basis for the investigation. d. Informal/Early Resolution of Student Complaints The university may attempt to resolve matters through mediation or other alternative resolution, when appropriate. Mediation will not be used for reports of extreme forms of disability discrimination or harassment. In mediation, the investigator—or an assigned individual—typically meets with the reporting party and the respondent—separately and/or together—to seek an acceptable resolution. Any informal resolution may be made only with the agreement of all affected parties. If alternative resolution is unsuccessful, the matter will proceed to investigation. e. Investigation Process of Student Complaints Processed by the Dean of Students Grievance investigations are objective, fact-finding inquiries. The purpose of the investigation is to gather facts relating to the allegations made by the complainant and to enable the dean of students to decide whether NSU policy has been violated. • The investigation will include interviews with the complainant, respondent, and any other witnesses deemed to potentially have relevant information. Both complainant and respondent may identify witnesses who can provide information relevant to the allegations, but the investigator determines which witnesses will be interviewed. Complainant and respondent are always permitted to present written statements from witnesses for the investigator’s consideration during the investigation process. • The investigation may include written statements, interviews, document requests, and any other sources the investigator deems appropriate. The complainant and respondent are permitted to provide the investigator with evidence. • The investigator will provide the respondent with written notice of the allegations, if appropriate, and allow the respondent five business days to respond, in writing. • Investigations may be expanded to address additional allegations that surface during the investigation, at the investigator’s discretion. If appropriate, the respondent will be provided with written notice of any such additional allegations. The respondent will be given the opportunity to respond to the additional allegations.
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