Student Problem Resolution Procedures

If you have a concern regarding academic or procedural issues related to a specific course (e.g., syllabi, dates, attendance policies, assignments, grading policies) present your complaint to the faculty member. If discussion fails to resolve the complaint, contact the Department Chairperson. If that discussion still does not resolve the matter, submit your complaint in writing to the faculty member. If there is no resolution, or if the faculty member does not respond to your written complaint within six business days, you may submit your complaint on the General Academic Complaint Form.

Address other academic problems, such as transfer credit evaluation, class scheduling, program or degree requirements etc., with the office originating the information. If this fails to bring about a satisfactory answer or resolution, present your statement of the problem, preferably in writing, to the appropriate dean of the academic college or director of the appropriate office. The dean or director, or someone designated by the dean or director, will meet with you and review the question or problem for you.

If this procedure does not resolve the issue, you may submit a written statement of the problem to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost/Vice President, or his designee, will meet with you and look further into the matter, and you may anticipate a written answer within 30 days. It may be important to review The Grade Grievance process, found here.

If you have a problem or question about a nonacademic policy, procedure or issue, the first step is to discuss the issue with a staff member from that department. The first section of this handbook lists most nonacademic departments with descriptions of the services they provide and contact information. If this fails to bring about a satisfactory answer or resolution, contact the department’s Director. The Director will meet with you to review the question or problem and attempt to reach an acceptable resolution.

Present your question or statement of the problem to the Vice President to whom the department reports if this procedure does not resolve the issue. The Vice President, or someone designated by the Vice President, will meet with you and look into the question or problem for you.

You should address questions or problems with campus or student life to the relevant office (e.g., Student Life Center, Residential Life, Athletics, etc). If this fails to bring about a satisfactory answer or resolution, present your question or statement of the problem to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Vice President, or someone designated by the Vice President, will meet with you and look into the question or problem for you.

The Disability Services office is responsible for arranging and approving services for students with disabilities. Students should first discuss their concerns with the Director of Disability Services. If this fails to bring about a satisfactory answer or resolution, then you may file an appeal in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The entire appeals procedure is printed in the section on Policy and Procedures or available on-line, www.svsu.edu/disabilityservices.

Address discrimination concerns, including sexual and racial harassment, to the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Programs for consultation and assistance in resolving the complaint. The university has adopted a formal policy and complaint procedure on unlawful discrimination.

Students residing in University Housing are subject to the Code of Student Conduct, the University Housing Contract, policies described on the www.svsu.edu/livingoncampus website and contained in the Resident Student Handbook and/or other standards of behavior otherwise published by the Offices of Housing and Residential Life. Address questions or concerns about the resident student disciplinary process to the Student Conduct Programs office.

Admission to Saginaw Valley State University obligates each student to abide by regulations for acceptable student behavior found in the Code of Student Conduct (http://www.svsu.edu/studentconductprograms/codeofstudentconduct/). Students, faculty and staff who feel that violations of the provisions of the Code have occurred may contact the Office of Student Conduct Programs (Curtiss 114, 964-2220) for assistance in resolving complaints.

Filing a Complaint with the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau of Michigan

The Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing (CSCL) Bureau is responsible for responding to formal complaints against authorized public, independent non-profit and proprietary institutions of higher education providing distance education from Michigan or out-of-state institutions of higher education providing distance education in Michigan pursuant to 2015 PA 45 (Act). We also investigate complaints against any other licensed or authorized post-secondary school regulated by CSCL. CSCL has limited authority over colleges and universities, and cannot offer legal advice or initiate civil court cases; CSCL staff will review submitted complaints and work with student complainants and institutions.

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