Academic Advising
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 Academic Grievance
When a student has an academic dispute with a faculty member over a grade or other issue, the following procedures exist to resolve the issue in the most satisfactory way for both the student and faculty member. It is recommended the student discuss any academic complaint with the person involved. If the complaint is not resolved at the instructor level, or if the student feels it is not practical to contact the instructor, the student may present the complaint to the chair of the department to which the instructor is assigned.
Grievance steps and Time Requirements:
 

Step 1: Within the first two weeks of the beginning of the following semester.
  • If the complaint involves a final grade, the student must take the complaint to the faculty member

  • If the student is not enrolled the subsequent semester, a letter of inquiry should be mailed to the instructor and the instructor’s department chair.

Step 2: Thirty Day Complaint filing period
  • Upon receipt of the response from the instructor, the student has 30 days to file a formal complaint.

  • Prior to any action by the department chair, the student will be required to complete a Student Grievance Form. The form is available in the Office of the Provost and should be completed and returned to the chair of the department involved.

Step 3: Request for Response
  • Upon receipt of the Student Grievance Form, the department chair will request from the instructor a response in writing, addressing the questions raised by the student.

Step 4: Within one week following filing of written grievance
  • Within one week after the written grievance is filed in the department chair’s office, a meeting will be arranged. The instructor, the student filing the grievance, the department chair, and the dean of the responsible college will be in attendance.
  • The student may have his or her academic advisor or a faculty member of the student’s choice present.
  • It will be the purpose of the department chair and the respective college dean to review the grievance and attempt to mediate a settlement.
  • The department chair’s and the college dean’s recommended solution is to be considered by both the faculty member and the student as a recommendation and not as a decision that is binding.
  • Records of this meeting, including recommendations by the department chair and college dean, will be sent to the Provost and to all parties concerned.

 Step 5: Appeal and Petition for a hearing
  • If the recommendations presented by the department chair and the college dean are not acceptable to the student, he or she may appeal to the Academic Standards and Appeals Committee.
  • The student must petition a hearing before this committee within one week following the meeting with the college dean and the department chair. Requests are to be in writing and made to the Provost.
  • If the procedure has been followed, the Provost will submit to the chair of the committee records of all action to date.
  • Within two weeks following the application of appeal, the committee will meet and review data and previous recommendations.
  • The committee may request additional information and/or the parties involved to appear before the committee. 
  • The committee’s decision will be sent to the Provost, with a copy being sent as a matter of record to the student, faculty member, department chair, and the faculty member’s college dean.
  • The Provost is responsible for enforcing the committee’s decision.
  • The committee’s decision is final. 

Step 6: Appeal to the President
  • It is understood that anyone may appeal to the President of the University when due process has been violated or when individual rights are disregarded.