Student Grievance Complaints
Academic Related Grievances:
Students should first attempt to resolve grievances of an academic nature (course related) with the instructor. If that does not resolve the issue, students should attempt to resolve the grievance locally and informally through discussion with the following campus officials, in the order listed below:
West Campus:
- Department Chair/Program Coordinator
- Academic Dean
All Other Campuses:
- Associate Dean
- Provost
Non-Academic Related Grievances:
Students should attempt to resolve all non-course/instructor related matters locally and informally through discussion with the following campus officials, in the order listed:
West Campus:
- Advisor
- Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
- Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
All Other Campuses:
- Advisor
- Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
- Provost
Each official, upon receipt of an issue or concern, shall investigate the circumstances (to include interviews with the individuals involved where necessary) and shall attempt to resolve the problem. If unable to do so, the official will refer the matter to the next higher level of responsibility as indicated above.
If the issue or concern is not settled at the campus level within 10 business days, then it shall be referred in writing on form SCN-26 (which shall be available from the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs), to the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer/College Provost, West Campus (for academic/course-related matters) or to the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management/Chief Student Affairs Officer for all non-course/non-academic related matters. The appropriate Vice President shall attempt to resolve the matter within 10 business days of receipt.
If the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management/Chief Student Affairs Officer is unable to resolve the issue, then he or she may recommend to the President the appointment of a Special Committee to conduct a formal administrative hearing as the basis for final action by the President.
The student involved in this grievance resolution process may request assistance from the Director of Global & Multicultural Awareness, Special Assistant to the President or Equity Committee Member at any point during the process. The Director of Global & Multicultural Awareness/Special Assistant to the President or Equity Committee Member is not to represent the student grievant, but is only to aid the complainant in defining the issue(s) and in arranging appointments with campus officials. When such assistance is requested, the Director of Global & Multicultural Awareness, Special Assistant to the President shall monitor the progress of the case to its conclusion. Some decisions involving transfer of credit, course substitution credit awarded, or the meeting of graduation requirements may be appealed to the Student Ombudsman (Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs).
All proceedings brought under this IMM shall be considered confidential and no information regarding the grievance shall be released to any person or entity unless such person or entity is involved in the investigation or subsequent disposition. Any person violating this provision may be subject to disciplinary action.
No person filing a complaint under this section shall be subject to any adverse action by the College or any employee or student of the College. Any person acting in a manner deemed to be retaliatory for the filing of a complaint under this procedure shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Out of State Distance Education Student
Out of state distance education students who wish to file a complaint must first go through the institutional complaint procedures. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, complaints (except for those regarding grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed, within two years of the incident. Appeals may be submitted to the Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating (PRDEC) Council by sending an email to FLSARAinfo@fldoe.org.
Per the Florida State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (FL-SARA), in order for a complaint to qualify under FL-SARA Complaint Review Policy, it must meet the following criteria:
- The complaint must be filed within two years of the incident about which the complaint was made.
- The student must have gone through the institutional complaint process prior to submission with the Council.
- The complaint must be a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA, or of laws, standards or regulations incorporated by SARA, are being violated by a person, institution, state, agency or other organization or entity operating under the terms of SARA.
- The student must be enrolled in a Florida SARA Council - approved institution.
For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process website http://www.fldoe.org/sara/complaint-process.stml