I.    POLICY

The Los Angeles Film School, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA; as amended 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), does not discriminate on the basis of disability in administration of its education-related programs and activities, and has an institutional commitment to provide equal educational opportunities for disabled students who are otherwise qualified.  Students who feel that their rights under this policy have been violated may use these grievance procedures to file a complaint.

Any person who wishes to file a complaint or who has questions regarding the school’s compliance with these regulations should contact the following individuals who have been designated as school’s ADA/Section 504 compliance specialists: Jenna Langer, Vice President of Operations, 6353 Sunset Blvd., 5th Floor, Hollywood, CA  90028 (323.860.0789), and Yacine Pezzan, Section 504/Student Disability Services Coordinator, 6353 Sunset Blvd., 1st Floor, Hollywood, CA  90028 (323.769.2276).

II. INFORMAL RESOLUTION

Prior to initiating the formal complaint procedure set forth below, the student should, in general, first discuss the matter orally or in writing with the individual(s) most directly responsible.  If no resolution results, or if direct contact is inappropriate under the circumstances, the student should then consult with a compliance specialist who will attempt to facilitate a resolution.  If the compliance specialist is not successful in achieving a satisfactory resolution within seven calendar days, the compliance specialist will inform the student of his or her efforts and the student’s right to file a formal complaint.

III.       FORMAL COMPLAINT

If the procedure set forth above for informal resolution does not yield a successful resolution, then the student may file a formal complaint in the following manner:

A.    When to File Complaint

Complaints must be filed as soon as possible, but in no event later than 14 days after the conclusion of the term in which the concern arose.

B.    What To File

A complaint must be in writing and include the following:

  1. The grievant’s name, address, e-mail address and phone number;
  2. A full description of the problem;
  3. A description of what efforts have been made to resolve the issue informally;
  4. A statement of the remedy requested.

C.    Where to File Complaint

The complaint can be filed by email: Disabilityservices@lafilm.edu; or in person at the Student Development Department, 6353 Sunset Blvd., 1st Floor, Hollywood, CA  90028.

D.    Notice of Receipt

Upon receipt of the complaint, the compliance specialist reviews the complaint for timeliness and appropriateness for this grievance procedure, and provides the grievant with written notice acknowledging its receipt.

E.    Investigation

The compliance specialist or his or her designee (here­after collectively referred to as the “grievance officer”) will promptly initiate an investigation. In undertaking the investigation, the grievance officer may interview, consult with and/or request a written ­response to the issues raised in the grievance from any individual the grievance officer believes to have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students.

F.    Representation

The grievant and the party against whom the grievance is directed each have the right to have a representative. The party shall indicate whether he or she is to be assisted by a representative and, if so, the name of that representative. For purposes of this ­procedure, an attorney is not an appropriate representative.

G.   Findings and Notification

Upon completion of the investigation, the grievance officer will prepare and transmit to the student, and to the party against whom the grievance is directed, a final report containing a summary of the investigation, written findings, and a proposed disposition. This transmission will be expected within 45 calendar days of the filing of the formal complaint. The final report may also be provided, where appropriate, to any school official whose authority will be needed to carry out the proposed disposition or to determine whether any personnel action is appropriate.

H.    Final Disposition

The disposition proposed by the grievance officer will be put into effect promptly. The grievant or any party against whom the grievance or the proposed disposition is directed may appeal. The appeal to the Vice President of Education (as set forth below) will not suspend the implementation of the disposition proposed by the grievance ­officer, except in those circumstances where the Vice President of Education decides that good cause exists making the suspension of implementation appropriate.

IV.       REMEDIES

Possible remedies under this grievance procedure include corrective steps, actions to reverse the effects of discrimination or to end harassment, and measures to provide a reasonable accommodation or proper ongoing treatment. As stated above, a copy of the grievance officer’s report may, where appropriate, be sent to school officials to determine whether any personnel action should be pursued.

V. APPEAL

Within ten calendar days of the issuance of the final report, the grievant or the party against whom the grievance is directed may appeal to the Vice President of Education the grievance officer’s determination.  An appeal is initiated by filing a written request for review by email:Disabilityservices@lafilm.edu; or in person at the Student Development Department, 6353 Sunset Blvd., 1st Floor, Hollywood, CA  90028.

The written request for review must specify the particular substantive and/or procedural basis for the appeal, and must be made on grounds other than general dissatisfaction with the proposed disposition. The appeal must be directed only to issues raised in the formal complaint that was originally filed or to procedural errors in the conduct of the grievance procedure itself and not to raise new issues.

The compliance specialist will forward the appeal to the Vice President of Education and provide copies to the other party or parties.  If the grievance involves a decision that is being challenged, the review by the Vice President of Education or his or her designee usually will be limited to the following considerations:

  1. Were the proper facts and criteria brought to bear on the decision?  Were improper or extraneous facts or criteria brought to bear that substantially affected the decision to  the detriment of the grievant?
  2. Were there any procedural irregularities that substantially affected the outcome of the matter to the detriment of the grievant?
  3. Given the proper facts, criteria, and procedures, was the decision a reasonable one?

The Vice President of Education will issue a written decision within 30 calendar days of the filing of the appeal.  A copy of the decision will be sent to the parties, the compliance specialist and, if appropriate, to the school official whose authority will be needed to carry out the disposition. The decision of the Vice President of Education on the appeal is final.

VI.  Retaliation Prohibited

Filing an informal or formal complaint of discrimination is a protected activity under the law. Retaliation against anyone who files a complaint, who supports or assists an individual in pursuing a complaint, or who participates in the resolution of a complaint is prohibited. Any retaliatory action may be the basis of another complaint under this policy and may subject the individual engaged in retaliation to discipline under the appropriate student, staff, or faculty disciplinary policies.