GRIEVANCE REPORTING
The following list contains clickable links (shortcuts) to where you want to go.
The Department of Art Practice is committed to helping students have a positive and fulfilling experience at UC Berkeley, free of bias, harassment, violence, and discrimination. The purpose of this site is to provide reporting, advocacy and conflict resolution resources if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these issues.
Five Pathways to Conflict and/or Grievance Resolution
If you are having an issue with an instructor, staff person, or another student, here are the steps we recommend you take to seek resolution.
If you are comfortable doing so, begin by approaching your instructor. Ask for a time when they can speak with you, or send them an email explaining your concern.
If you are not comfortable approaching your instructor, Onisha Barham, Student Services Advisor, will be glad to talk with you.
If you feel the conflict or grievance concerns equity, reach out to Professor Al-An deSouza who is the department’s Equity Officer
If you have pursued these approaches without resolution, or prefer not to, please reach out to the department Chair, Professor Ron Rael
If none of these approaches is right for your situation, or you feel the need to pursue further resolution, contact the Student Ombuds office. The Student Ombuds Office is entirely confidential if you need assistance sorting through a campus-related conflict or concern.
UC's Commitment to Nondiscrimination
The University is committed to a policy against legally impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discriminatory practices.
As described in the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement, The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.
University Grievance Procedure Policies
Inquiries regarding the University's student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Director of the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD).
Phone: 510-643-7985
Email: ask_ophd@berkeley.edu
The Berkeley Campus Student Grievance Procedure page outlines policies and procedures to report and resolve complaints alleging discrimination based upon any of the above listed grounds. To learn more about the process of submitting an informal or formal grievance, see the Berkeley Campus Student Grievance Procedure on the Student Affairs website.
University Conflict Resolution Resources
This page covers six categories, plus campus resources to help you navigate these processes:
Racial Bias and Equity Resources
Disability Related Concerns
Harassment, Discrimination, or Hostile Environment
Discriminatory Grade Appeals
Classroom Concerns
UC Police Department Complaints
Racial Bias and Equity Resources
Addressing issues of discrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are indispensable to the vitality of the Art Practice Department. If you or someone you know has experienced a lack of access, exclusion, harassment, intolerance, physical or emotional abuse, violence, or hate, you can report an incident via the UC Berkeley, Division of Equity and Inclusion.
Please refer to resources concerning racial bias and equity on this page on the Art Practice website.
Disability Related Concerns
The Disabled Students' Program promotes an inclusive environment for students with disabilities. We equip students with appropriate accommodations and services to achieve their individual academic goals. We are dedicated to supporting students and collaborating with the campus community to remove barriers to educational access and embrace the University’s values of equity and inclusion. We believe that an accessible environment universally benefits everyone.
In general, if you are dissatisfied with any DSP-related academic accommodations, the fastest process for resolving the issue is for you to directly contact your DSP Specialist. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached informally, you may initiate a formal resolution by putting your complaint in writing. For more specific information, follow the links below.
Disability Compliance Office The ADA/504 Disability Complaint Resolution Officer may be able to provide information and assistance with regard to grievances alleging discrimination on the basis of disability or failure to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities.
Contact Derek Coates at 510-642-2795.
Harassment, Discrimination, or Hostile Environment
If you have experienced harassment, discrimination or a hostile environment at UC Berkeley, the number and variety of resources designed to help you may feel overwhelming. The Student Ombuds’ Office and/or the Student Advocate can help you sort out which of the following resources would best meet your needs.
The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) is responsible for ensuring the University provides an environment for faculty, staff, and students that is free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence. OPHD takes reports alleging discrimination and harassment on the basis of categories including race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation/identity, including allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Students can report an incident by email or phone. You can email ask_ophd@berkeley.edu to report an incident.
If you would like to report a hate crime or hate-motivated act, follow this link to find extensive resources.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs may be able to provide information and assistance with regard to grievances alleging discrimination on the basis of veteran status, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, or citizenship. Contact the Division of Student Affairs at 510-642-6727.
Student Code of Conduct Violation Resources
The Center for Support and Intervention provides resources, information, and referrals to students who have been charged with violating the Code of Student Conduct and face suspension or dismissal from the university. These charges can include sexual, behavioral, or academic misconduct. The goal of this service is to ensure that students who are engaged in the conduct process are informed of campus resources and receive assistance with the coordination of services and referrals.
If you have been charged with violating the Code of Student Conduct and face suspension or dismissal from the university, Respondent Services can help ensure that you are informed of campus resources and receive assistance with the coordination of services and referrals. Learn more: Violations of campus student conduct rules.
Academic Personnel Office: This website includes a link to “Guidelines for Preventing and Responding to Faculty Bullying and Other Demeaning & Disruptive Behavior.”
Discriminatory Grade Appeals
The following appeal process is adapted from the Procedures for Grade Appeals from the UC Berkeley Academic Senate.
Grounds for [grade] grievance are application of non-academic criteria, such as considerations of race, politics, religion, sex, or other criteria not directly reflective of performance related to course requirements; sexual harassment; or improper academic procedures that unfairly affect a student’s grade.
You should first attempt to settle the matter informally. This should be done by discussing the issue with your instructor. You may also contact the Department Chair and/or Equity Officer or another mutually acceptable third party who is uninvolved in the grade grievance process and can attempt to mediate the dispute informally.
If these informal procedures have failed to settle the matter, and the one-year time limit has not expired, you may initiate a formal grievance process. The formal process is initiated when you submit the case in writing to the department chair. Details about what must be included in your case are available in the Procedures for Grade Appeals. There is also a helpful Formal Grade Grievance Checklist available.
For more information about the policy and process, see Academic Senate Grade Appeals policy (A207).
We highly recommend that you seek assistance throughout this process from the Student Ombuds Office and/or the Student Advocate.
Classroom Concerns
In general, if you have a concern about how a class is being taught (workload, scheduling, syllabus issues, tone of lectures or critiques, classroom climate, etc.), you may want to begin by discussing the situation with the Student Services Advisor to review your options and determine how to proceed. You may also want to take your concerns to the course instructor to see whether the issue can be clarified or whether a resolution can be achieved informally. You may also contact the Department Chair if you would like to consult with another faculty person from within the department.
We highly recommend that you seek assistance throughout this process from the Student Ombuds Office and/or the Student Advocate.
UC Police Department Complaints
The UC Police website offers this process:
A complaint may be made at any time of the day or night to any police department employee. Complaints received will normally be referred to the Duty Supervisor. Depending on the circumstances, they will either investigate immediately or forward a report to the Complaint Investigation Unit in the Office of the Chief.
The time limit for filing a complaint is 30 calendar days from the date of the alleged incident. Sexual harassment allegations will be accepted up to 90 calendar days after the alleged incident.
All citizen complaints against the sworn members of the UCPD, except the Chief or Assistant Chiefs or Captains, shall be processed under this procedure in accordance with the definitions and provisions thereof: no other campus review mechanisms or grievance procedures shall be applicable.
Complaint forms may be obtained, and complaints filed, at any of the following offices:
The Police Review Board in care of the Office of the Vice Chancellor-Administration, 200 California Hall,510-642-3100, vca@berkeley.edu
ASUC Student Advocate, 412B Eshleman Hall, 510-642-6912
LEAD, 432 Eshleman Hall | Hours M-F: 9am-5pm | Phone: 510-642-5171 | Email: lead@berkeley.edu
Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, 2111 Bancroft Way Suite 300, 510-643-7985, or ask_ophd@berkeley.edu
Office of Government and Community Relations, 2200 Bancroft Way, 510-642-7860
All complaints shall be forwarded immediately to the Chief of Police.
The purpose of the Complaint Investigation Unit is to assure that complete, fair and impartial investigations are made of citizen complaints. The UCPD Complaint Investigation Policy describes how complaints against department employees, policies, and operations are processed.
The campus ombuds offices are also available to assist with informal resolution of complaints. Assistance provided by the ombuds offices is separate from the formal process.Informal complaints can be reported at the Student Ombuds offices:
(510) 642-5754Complaints & Grievance reporting