Ensuring Equal Opportunities, Resources and Reasonable Accommodations
Highland Community College is committed to providing a working and learning environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. HCC is committed to equal opportunity in education and employment, affirmative action, diversity, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The college prohibits discrimination in admissions, employment and access to college programs, activities and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, familial relationship, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, expunged juvenile record, or veterans’ status. This commitment is made by the college in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
ADA Related Complaints
Students shall express concerns initially with the faculty member or the Coordinator of Disability Services within seven (7) school days of the occurrence that gives rise to the complaint.
If the complaint is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may request a review of the complaint by the Director, Learning Services, Carolyn Petsche. The request must be in writing and must be received by the Director, Learning Services, within five (5) school days after the initiated attempt at resolution. The Director, Learning Services, will discuss the complaint with the persons involved before deciding the appeal. The Director, Learning Services, shall issue a written response covering the outcome of the review within seven (7) school days after receipt of the request.
If the result of the Director, Learning Services review is unsatisfactory to the student, the student may appeal in writing to the Associate Vice President, Student Services\Title IX Coordinator, Liz Gerber, within five (5) school days after receipt of the Director, Learning Services response. The Title IX Coordinator shall review the complaint fully and issue a reply in writing within ten (10) school days of receipt of written student appeal.
Compliance inquiries about the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act may be directed to:
Karen Brown, Director of Human Resources and ADA/504 Compliance Officer for Employees and Community, 815.599.3402, H-232, karen.brown@highland.edu.
Compliance inquiries about Title IX may be directed to:
Liz Gerber, Associate Vice President, Student Services\Title IX Coordinator, 815.599.3531, M-101, liz.gerber@highland.edu.
To file a formal complaint, fill out the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complaint Form [PDF] and submit it to the appropriate ADA compliance officer. It can be found at the Freeport Campus, 2998 West Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL 61032, 815.599.3605, ADA Services, Building M, M-104, 815.599.3605.
Appeals
While we make every attempt to reach an internal resolution, sometimes the complainant is not satisfied with final decision. Thus, they can contact US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.
US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Chicago Office
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Telephone: 312.730.1560
FAX: 312.730.1576; TDD: 877.521.2172
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
Illinois Department of Human Rights
100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 10-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: 312.814.6200
Fax: 312.814.6251
TDD: 312.263.1579
For Discrimination in Housing: 1.800.662.3942
Field offices:
Marion State Regional Office Building
2309 W. Main Street, Suite 112
Marion, Illinois 62959
Tel: 618.993.7463
Fax: 618. 993.7464
Springfield
222 South College, Floor 1
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Tel: 217.785.5100
TDD: 217.785.5125
Fax: 217.785.5106