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SECTION 504 COMPLIANCE OFFICER
The Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer will The Vice President of People and Organizational Development will act as the Section 504 Compliance Officer responsible for the administration and supervision of the policy and procedures set forth herein. The Section 504 Compliance Officer is the administrator to whom a complaint is reported and addressed according to policy and procedures.
Cara Wald, the University’s Chief Human Resources and Strategy OfficerVice President of People and Organizational Development, serves as the Section 504 Compliance Officer with primary responsibility for oversight and enforcement of this Policy, as well as identifying and addressing any systemic problems that arise during the review of complaints. Cara Wald may be contacted at Bethel University, Office of Human Resources, 3900 Bethel Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55112, or 651.635.8657, or c-wald@bethel.edu.
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- The complaint shall be in writing and describe in detail the alleged disability discrimination and the action the complainant requests to resolve the matter. All complaints must be signed and dated by the complainant and, where known, should contain the name(s) of the individual(s) involved, the date(s) of the event(s) at issue, a detailed description of the actions constituting the alleged disability discrimination, and any other relevant information. If possible, names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses or potential witnesses and any other evidence should also be included.
- Within five (5) working days after receipt of the signed complaint, the designated Grievance Officers will review the complaint to determine if the complaint sufficiently describes the alleged disability discrimination.
- If the complaint does not sufficiently describe a concern within the definition of disability discrimination under this policy, the complaint will be returned and other assistance may be recommended.
- If the complaint does not sufficiently describe the factual details of the concern so that a determination of disability discrimination can be made, the complaint will be returned and the complainant may submit an amended complaint providing enough factual details to allow a determination to investigate.
- Within ten (10) working days of receiving a complaint or amended complaint, the Section 504 Compliance Officer will notify the respondent that a formal complaint has been received and an investigation has begun. A copy of the written complaint and a copy of this policy will be provided to the respondent.
- Within the next ten (10) working days, the Grievance Officers will meet with the complainant to review the nature of the complaint and identify the scope and nature of the of the investigation. The Grievance Officers will also meet with the respondent to receive the respondent’s response to the complaint, request names of witnesses, request evidence, and to review with the respondent the scope and nature of the investigation. A written report of each meeting is completed and shared with the individual being interviewed for amendment.
- The Grievance Officers shall thoroughly investigate the complaint. Prior to completing the investigation, the Grievance Officers shall meet again with the complainant and the respondent separately to give an overview of the steps taken during the investigation, to ask the complainant and the respondent for the names of any others the investigators should speak with, and to request any additional information. A written report of each meeting is completed and shared with the individual being interviewed for amendment.
- After completion of the investigation, the Grievance Officers shall meet with the Responsible Officer(s) and the senior administrator(s) responsible for the involved prospective student, applicant, student, faculty, or staff member to review the Grievance Officers’ report and reach conclusions based on a preponderance of evidence (i.e., more likely than not) standard regarding the allegations and appropriate corrective action(s), if any.
- It is the goal of these procedures that, to the extent possible, the above steps be completed no later than within ninety (90) calendar days of receiving the formal complaint. The Responsible Officer(s) and senior administrator(s) shall forward to the complainant and respondent all of the following:
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Regardless of whether a complaint has been received, Bethel may, at any time and at its sole discretion, initiate an investigation of or take action against any disability discrimination occurring within the Bethel community. In the event that the complainant does not wish to pursue the complaint process, any response by the University may be hindered by the complainant’s wishes for anonymity and/or inaction.
Revised 87/20192020