ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS

INFORMAL COMPLAINT

An informal academic complaint covers a wide variety of circumstances. A complaint can be related to concerns about an instructor’s behavior such as communication, grading, or teaching. A complaint can also be about content being used in a course, including accessibility or appropriateness. A complaint may also be related to student’s academic advising experience.

Most complaints can be resolved by following the informal process, which involves discussing the matter with the individual or the department in which the issue originated. Students may also feel free to speak with the college dean or Vice President of Academic Affairs at any point about concerns or questions that arise.

If the issue is not resolved by the means above or if the student does not feel comfortable addressing the issue directly with the individual, the student is encouraged to proceed to a Formal Complaint.

FORMAL COMPLAINT

Formal complaints can be submitted by the students themselves and a student may remain anonymous if they wish by indicating so on the form. Completed forms are first routed to the Academic Affairs office, after which it is sent to the individual and their direct supervisor. As an example, if the complaint is about an instructor, it would go to them and to their college director.