Discrimination Grievance Procedure – Title VI, the Age Act, and Other Protected Statuses

Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy is to outline details regarding UTI’s student grievance procedures related to Title VI, Title VII, the Age Act, and other protected statuses unless outlined in a separate policy as noted later in this paragraph. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This procedure is also applicable for other forms of discrimination not covered under the ADA/504 Grievance Procedure or the Title IX Grievance Procedure, including the Age Act. The Age Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination based on age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Policy Scope

I. Notice of Non‑Discrimination 

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “UTI”) are committed to educational and work communities that are free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. UTI prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation/gender identity or expression, genetic information, and any other legally protected status in the provision of its courses, programs, services or activities.

UTI has designated the Director of Program Compliance as the individual responsible for the coordination and administration of its non‑discrimination and harassment policies for students. Questions or comments about discrimination or harassment can be directed to the Director of Program Compliance at 4225 E. Windrose Drive, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85032, jramirez@uti.edu, or by calling 800‑859‑7249 or 623‑445‑0730.

​​​​​​Student Services Directors serve as deputy coordinators responsible for the duties mentioned above at each campus and can also assist with any student questions or comments. Their contact information is as follows:

For further information on notice of non‑discrimination, you may contact the appropriate federal office at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/ contact‑ocr for the address and telephone number of the office that serves your area, or by contacting the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202‑1100, OCR@ed.gov, 800‑421‑3481.

II. Grievance Procedure

This procedure applies to student complaints of discrimination and/or harassment based on race, color, national origin, age, and other protected categories. Grievance procedures for discrimination based on sex are included in the Title IX Policy, and grievance procedures for discrimination based on disability are outlined in the ADA/504 policy.

1. Filing a complaint: Any student who believes they have been discriminated against in UTI’s programs or activities is encouraged to immediately contact the Director of Student Services. Complaints generally should be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. Complaints filed after this date may be eligible for a discretionary waiver. Requests for a waiver should be made to the Director of Student Services. If there is a conflict of interest with the Director of Student Services, the Campus President will assume all duties assigned to the Director of Student Services under this procedure.
   
   Optional informal resolution of complaints: A complainant may choose to resolve a complaint informally by participating in a facilitated meeting with the respondent and the Director of Student Services within two weeks of the filing of the complaint. A complainant may end the informal process at any time and request formal resolution of the complaint.
2. Formal resolution of complaints: Unless a complainant elects to participate in the optional informal resolution process, complaints will be addressed through the formal resolution process.
   1. Within 45 business days of the filing of the complaint or the conclusion of the optional informal resolution process, the Student Services Department will investigate the complaint. The investigation generally will consist of an assessment of the complaint, the gathering and review of relevant documentation, and, if necessary, interviews of the complainant, respondent, and other relevant witnesses. UTI uses the preponderance of the evidence or “more likely than not” standard of review during its investigation and resolution of complaints.
   2. If the investigative phase will take longer than 45 days, the Director of Student Services will provide the parties with an explanation for the delay.
   3. Within one week of the conclusion of the investigation, the Student Services Department will provide the parties with written notice of the outcome of the investigation.
3. This procedure provides for the prompt, adequate, reliable, and impartial resolution of complaints, including an equal opportunity for the parties to access, review, and present witnesses and other evidence.
4. UTI will provide to the complainant interim measures as appropriate (e.g., arranging for changes in class schedules, work schedules, etc.) and will strive to keep the complaint and investigation confidential to the extent possible. UTI will take steps to prevent the recurrence of any discrimination or harassment and to correct discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as necessary.
5. UTI does not tolerate retaliation against complainants, witnesses, or any person who participates in the investigatory process or otherwise exercises rights under Title VI, the Age Act, or other applicable statutes. Any retaliatory conduct should be promptly reported to the Director of Student Services.