Resolution of Student Concerns/Complaints

Students occasionally approach faculty or staff members with concerns or complaints.  As a faculty or staff member you should attempt to resolve such problems, but only if it is appropriate for you to do so, and if you can do so in a manner consistent with established procedures.  We want all student concerns to be heard and if possible, resolved.  Concerns should be settled in an efficient, consistent manner, making certain the rights of all individuals are preserved and due process is followed.

Student complaints in the College of Education are resolved in a manner consistent with university operating policies and procedures such as the following:

OP 34.03: Student Grade Appeal ;

OP 34.04: Academic Regulations Concerning Student Performance ;

OP 34.12: Grading Procedures ; and

OP 77.04: Ombudsman for Students .

Student concerns are also considered based on guidelines such as those in the Student Teaching Handbook, which specify a " Code of Ethics ," " Responsibilities of the Student Teacher ," and " Withdrawal/Dismissal/Intervention " procedures.  In addition, sections of the Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog (p.4), Code of Student Conduct , and Student Handbook (p.8) provide guidelines for student rights and responsibilities.

Furthermore,  a "chain of communication" is to be followed as problems are addressed.  Generally, this means the student should first discuss the concern with the faculty member most directly involved, e.g., the course instructor or clinical supervisor.  If the problem is not resolved, an increasingly higher level of supervisors becomes involved as follows:

* faculty member(s) most directly involved;

* department chairperson or specific office administrator (e.g. Coordinator of Student Teaching or Coordinator of Field Experiences);

* appropriate Associate Dean or Certification Officer; and

* Dean of the appropriate college (often the dean of the College of Education, but for example with grade appeals, may be the dean of another college).