Academic Catalog

A grievance is a claim that action has been taken that involves a student or staff or faculty member’s status or the specific terms or conditions of employment or academic study and which is believed to be arbitrary, capricious, or without cause or not consistent with IIRP policies and procedures, or a perceived circumstance of discrimination, harassment, or inequity.

The International Institute for Restorative Practices, consistent with its name and mission, will use restorative processes, whenever possible, in dealing with wrongdoing and conflict among students, staff, faculty, and administration. Restorative processes focus on repairing the harm done by conflict and wrongdoing. They are usually held in a circle format and provide every person with an opportunity to be heard and express feelings in a safe environment.

Restorative processes bring together those who have been affected by an incident. When there are identifiable wrongdoers and victims, all of those individuals have the choice of participating voluntarily. Furthermore, their friends, colleagues, optionally their family members, and others in the institution who have been affected, are also invited to come together to resolve the emotional consequences of the incident and to have a say in how the conflict or wrong might be handled.

If possible, concerns that result in a grievance should first be addressed informally, through informal discussions or a restorative circle. If a solution is reached, it should be put in writing, signed and dated by both parties, and copied to the appropriate administrator.

If, after attempting informal resolution, no solution is reached, the aggrieved party or parties may appeal the issue in writing to an appropriate administrator. That administrator must respond to the grievance within ten working days.

If the aggrieved party is not satisfied with that outcome, they may appeal to the President in writing. The President will respond within ten working days. If the aggrieved party is still not satisfied, the issue may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.

For Incidents of the Violation of Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, Sexual Harassment policies and the Non-discrimination statement

Reports, including anonymous reports, may be submitted online at any time using the reporting button. Reports go directly to the Associate Dean for Administration.

Emergency situations should be reported to local law enforcement by calling 911.

Report an Incident

In the case of an alleged violation of Civil Rights, the complaint may be brought directly to the Office for Civil Rights:

Barbara Holland, Regional Manager, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
150 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 372, Public Ledger Building
Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111

Customer Response Center: (800) 368-1019 Fax: (202) 619-3818
TDD: (800) 537-7697 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Should you have exhausted all avenues to resolve an issue informally and wish to file an official complaint, that complaint must be submitted in writing to: