Grievance Policy and Procedure

The Fashion Institute of Technology is committed to providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects and appreciates the full expression of every individual’s ability. In keeping with the letter and the spirit of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990 and with Section 504, subpart E, students upon registering with the Office of Disability Services, FIT-ABLE, discuss and request reasonable academic adjustments, accommodations, auxiliary aids and support services which meet the individual needs of each student’s disability.

To fulfill its obligation under the law, FIT seeks the full cooperation of faculty, staff, and administration in the provision of accommodations, auxiliary aids and services and that it has determined to be reasonable and necessary to meet the needs of each student with a disability, providing equal access. This cooperation is not considered to be optional. If a faculty, staff, or administrator cannot fulfill his obligation to meet the educational and academic needs of the student, the affected course/s or program/s may be reassigned.

Please note that there are different levels/types of complaints:

1.  Informal complaints

A student concerned about treatment or comments which they believe to be related to knowledge of their disability may discuss such concerns with the coordinator, Disability Services who will listen and hear such concerns and offer guidance, support, and follow-up with the party/ies concerned and render a solution within a reasonable time period.

Such concerns are noted in the files, but not subject to official charges.

Examples include, but are not limited to, a professor mistakenly announcing a student’s name in class when seeking to assist with securing a peer note taker from the class; an instructor discussing a student’s case with their supervisor/chairperson when seeking guidance in working with a student with a disability, etc.

2.  Formal complaints

A student who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination is encouraged to report the incident, in writing, to the coordinator, Disability Services, within 48 hours (exclusive of weekends). The Disability Services Office is located in room A570, the 5th floor bridge between buildings B & A, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students may submit written complaints of discrimination in sealed envelopes to be placed in the mailbox outside of the office after business hours. All such written complaints should include complete contact information for the student, the date of the alleged discrimination, and as much detailed and descriptive information as is possible.

A written complaint may also be submitted to the Affirmative Action Officer, room C908. The College will promptly investigate all complaints of discrimination and pursue appropriate internal remedies where necessary. After an internal investigation has been completed, the student will be notified in writing of the internal disposition of the complaints investigation.

Appeals related the final disposition of complaints may be made in writing to the Dean of Student Development after receipt of written notification of the first level’s completion.

FIT prohibits acts of reprisal against anyone involved in lodging a complaint of discrimination. Conversely, the College considers filing intentionally false reports of discrimination to be a violation of this policy.