Student Rights & Responsibilities
Nondiscrimination Statement and Grievance Procedure
Nondiscrimination Statement
Pennsylvania College of Technology does not discriminate in admission by race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, status as a protected veteran, or any characteristic against which discrimination is prohibited by applicable law, and operates on a nondiscriminatory basis throughout the institution.
Announcement of this policy is in accordance with the State law including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and with Federal law, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Any student complaints of harassment or discrimination pertaining to education should be addressed with the College's Title VI, IX, and Section 504 Coordinator:
Kathy Wurster, Assistant Director of Counseling Services
Pennsylvania College of Technology
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701-5799
Phone: 570-327-4765
Fax: 570.321.5545
Complaints can also be sent to:
Director of the Office of Civil Rights,
Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights,
Washington, D.C. 20201
For information on accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact:
Kay Dunkleberger, Coordinator of Disability Services
Pennsylvania College of Technology
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701-5799
Phone: 570-320-5225
TTY: 570-321-5528
Fax: 570.327.4501
This notification is available on the Web at www.pct.edu/studentpolicy and on file in Braille and audio in the following offices at the College: Financial Aid, Student and Administrative Services Center, Room 1013; Admissions, Student and Administrative Services Center, Room 1068; Counseling Services, Bush Campus Center, Room 204; and the Madigan Library.
Nondiscrimination Grievance Procedure
- A complaint should be submitted in writing (to the person and address stated above), containing the name and address of the complainant, and a brief description of the allegations of discrimination.
- A complaint should be filed as soon as possible, generally within six months of the alleged discrimination.
- An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall be conducted by the Title VI, IX and Section 504 coordinator following receipt of a discrimination complaint. The coordinator conducts informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons, including the complainant and the person(s) against whom the allegation(s) of discrimination have been made, and their respective representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit information and documentation regarding the complaint allegations.
- The investigation will be completed within a reasonable time and a written response will be issued to the complainant by the Title VI, IX, and Section 504 Coordinator within 15 business days of the receipt of the complaint. In extenuating circumstances, the coordinator has the right to extend this timeline and will so notify the parties involved. In cases of sexual assault, the complainant will receive the results of any disciplinary measures that were imposed on the respondent.
- The complainant can request a reconsideration of the complaint if dissatisfied with the determination of the Title VI, IX and Section 504 coordinator. The request for reconsideration shall be made within seven business days of the complainant's receipt of the written determination and shall be submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Vice President for Student Affairs will convene the Disability Grievance Committee, if the complaint is disability-related, and will make a final determination and inform the complainant within seven business days of the Vice President for Student Affairs' receipt of the request for reconsideration. This level of review will be considered as a final level of internal appeal.
- The coordinator will inform the complainant of the right to file a complaint with the appropriate state or federal agency. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of a complaint submitted hereunder shall not be impaired by the person's pursuit of other external remedies nor shall the use of this internal grievance procedure be a prerequisite to other external remedies.
- Retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination, participates in an investigation, or opposes a discriminatory educational practice or policy is prohibited under College policy, and by state and federal law.
