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2012-2013 Undergraduate Programs
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process aims to be constructive and positive in
resolving differences.
This Student Complaints and Grievance Policy
covers academic and non-academic matters
except in areas where formal policies and proce-
dures take precedence. (Such formal policies and
procedures are listed in the Student Handbook
and academic catalogs.)
General Principles:
•
Whenever possible and in a timely fashion, a
student should voice a complaint informally with
the faculty member, staff member or other stu-
dent involved.
•
The appropriate division (Higher Education, Ben
Lippen School or Broadcasting) will handle stu-
dent complaints and grievances as quickly and
as fairly as possible.
•
Anonymous complaints and grievances will not
be addressed formally.
•
There will be no adverse effect on or retaliation
against either a student who, in good faith voic-
es a compliant/grievance or against any person
who, in good faith, provides information regard-
ing a complaint/grievance.
Procedures
•
Academic Matters: If a student has a grievance
about a course or faculty member it should be
addressed in accordance with the grievance
policy of the student’s school (Undergraduate
School, Seminary or Graduate School). If a stu-
dent has a grievance about an academic policy
or its enforcement, this issue should be
addressed with the academic dean of the
appropriate school.
• Non-academic matters: If a student has a griev-
ance about a non-academic matter it should be
addressed with the dean of Student Life.
Academic Grievance Procedures
If a student has a concern about an academic
matter, the following process should be followed:
Step 1:
In keeping with the Matthew 18 principle, the stu-
dent should discuss the matter with the faculty
member involved. Faculty will listen to concerns
or questions and, when deemed appropriate,
amend decisions. After this discussion if the stu-
dent feels that one of the following reasons
applies, Step 2 of the appeal process may be
taken:
•
The decision rendered was not supported by
sufficient evidence (e.g. expectations in the
class syllabus).
•
The academic consequence is more severe than
called for by the situation.
•
A stated university policy has been misapplied.
•
Discrimination.
Step 2:
Within three days of receiving an answer from the
faculty member, a letter of appeal should be deliv-
ered to the student program director*. If the pro-
gram director* is the faculty member involved,
Step 3 should be taken.
The letter of appeal should outline the concern,
describe the steps taken and the answer given
and provide an explanation of why one of the
above stated reasons can be applied to the situa-
tion. The program director* will call a meeting with
both the student and the faculty member to dis-
cuss the problem and issue a written decision on
the appeal. If the student feels that the program
director’s* decision does not correctly address the
reason for the appeal as stated above, then Step
3 should be taken.
Step 3:
Within three days of receiving a written decision
from the program director*, the student should
deliver a letter of appeal to the academic dean
who will direct the appeal to the Academic
Grievance Committee. The letter will be given to
the committee chair and the matter will be pre-
sented to the Academic Grievance Committee for
resolution. The committee is comprised of a mini-
mum of three program directors* or their
designees.
The student may request to be in attendance for
the discussion of the issue to present a verbal
statement and to answer questions. In addition,
the student may request a neutral observer who is
a student at CIU to join this meeting. Neither the
student nor the observer will be allowed to be
present during the decision-making process.