
Addressing Student Academic Complaints
- Executive Vice President and Provost
- Executive Vice President and Provost
- Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn, Karen Starry
Policy Statement
Each campus will develop and maintain processes for the good faith review and resolution of student academic complaints that will:
- encourage informal resolution of alleged violations at the lowest unit level;
- allow for a formal resolution mechanism if not resolved informally; and
- provide for appeal to a final decision maker.
The final decision following appeal is not appealable further within the University.
Scope
Student academic complaints are brought by students regarding the University's provision of education and academic services affecting their role as students and must be based on a claimed violation of a University rule, policy, or established practice.
Student academic complaints do not include student complaints regarding:
- their University employment
- disciplinary action under Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code
- grades
- University admission decisions
Relief Available
Resolution of complaints under this policy may include student reinstatement or other corrective action for the benefit of the student, including refunds, but may not award monetary damages, or direct disciplinary action against any employee of the University.
This policy does not limit the University's right to change rules, policies, or practices related to the provision of academic services and education.
Reason for Policy
To implement Board of Regents Policy: Conflict Resolution Process for Student Academic Complaints, and to comply with law, including Title IX. This policy provides a framework for resolving student academic complaints that is simple and fair and allows for both informal and formal resolution of conflicts. This policy implements criteria and requirements for accreditation established by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contacts
Subject | Contact | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Primary Contact(s) | Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn (undergraduate) Karen Starry (graduate) |
612-624-1328 612-625-2815 |
jkuecker@umn.edu starry@umn.edu |
Crookston | Jason Tangquist | 218-281-8424 | jtangqui@crk.umn.edu |
Duluth | Gerald Pepper (undergraduate) Erik Brown (graduate) |
218-726-7274 218-726-8891 |
gpepper@d.umn.edu etbrown@d.umn.edu |
Morris | Janet Ericksen | 320-589-6015 | ericksja@morris.umn.edu |
Rochester | Jeffrey Ratliff-Crain | 507-258-8006 | ratliffj@r.umn.edu |
Definitions
- Student Academic Complaint
- Complaints brought by students regarding the University's provision of academic services and education affecting their role as students.
- Sexual Harassment
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic advancement in any University activity or program; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting this individual in any University activity or program; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment in any University activity of program.
Responsibilities
- Academic Complaint Officer
- Comply with the Conflict Resolution Process for Student Academic Compliants procedures.
- Chancellor
- Ensure that campus has processes consistent with policy.
- College
- Schedule a hearing should the Academic Complaint Officer refer the matter to a College Hearing Panel.
- Office of the General Counsel
- Provide legal advice to the University and provide legal representation to the University respondent when the student is represented by a lawyer.
- Executive Vice President and Provost
- Ensure that campus has processes consistent with policy.
Related Information
- Board of Regents Policy: Conflict Resolution Process for Student Academic Complaints
- Higher Learning Commission, Criteria and Requirements for Accreditation
History
- Amended:
- October 2014 - Comprehensive Review. Minor Revision. Edits were made to clarify existing procedures and action steps.
- Amended:
- April 2009 - Added question and answer to FAQ about what to do when Students have a complaint about sexual harrassment by University Employees.
- Effective:
- November 2008
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