Policies & Regulations
as possible. A student must initiate informal resolution
procedures by contacting the professor (or administrator
as the instructor of record) no later than ten (10) business
days after classes begin in the semester following that
in which the complaint arose or the grievance will be
deemed untimely. The student must first attempt to
resolve the academic grievance through an informal
meeting with the professor. If the matter cannot be
resolved, or if the professor cannot be reached, the
student must meet next with the department chair. If the
student’s grievance is against a committee, the student
must meet with the committee chairperson. If the matter
cannot be resolved, the student must meet next with
the department chair. The informal grievance process
is terminated at the department level except when the
department chair is the subject of the complaint in which
case the grievance continues to the college or school
dean. A mutually agreeable resolution shall be formalized
through a notation in the student’s file/record which is
initialled by the student and the professor or college or
school dean.
FORMAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The academic grievance procedure is initiated by filing a
written complaint with the Faculty Fellow for Academic
Integrity. The complaint must be filed within fifteen
(15) business days of the date the informal resolution
process ends, or within twenty (20) business days after
classes begin in the semester following that in which the
complaint arose—whichever is later. After receipt, the
Faculty Fellow for Academic Integrity, in consultation with
the chairperson of the Academic Grievance Committee,
will review the complaint to determine whether it falls
within the scope of this policy and whether a formal
hearing is warranted.
When there are disputed issues of material fact which
must be determined, a formal hearing is warranted. If
the complaint does not fall within the scope of this policy,
then the student shall be so notified in writing.
A. Academic Grievance Committee
Where a complaint falls within the scope of this policy
and there are disputed issues of material fact to be
determined, the Faculty Fellow for Academic Integrity will
refer the matter to the Undergraduate/Graduate Academic
Grievance Committee. The grievance committee will
be composed of five members, two of whom should
be Undergraduate/Graduate students selected by the
Faculty Fellow for Academic Integrity. Undergraduate
student members will be provided by the president of the
Student Government Association (SGA). Graduate student
members will be provided by the Graduate Student
Association (GSA) and/or the academic deans.
The faculty members of the committee will include two
faculty members from academic units outside of the
school/college where the student is enrolled and where
the grievance has been filed. The chairperson of the
committee will be jointly selected by the Faculty Fellow
of Academic Integrity and the chairperson of the Faculty
Senate.
B. Procedure
A hearing shall be scheduled as soon as possible but no
later than 45 business days after receipt of the grievance.
The grieving party and the professor shall be notified
by the Faculty Fellow of Academic Integrity in writing,
of the date and time in which to appear for the formal
hearing. The hearing shall be conducted with such
formality as is necessary to insure the proceeding is fair
and in a manner that allows both sides of the dispute
to be presented. The hearing shall be recorded. At the
conclusion of the hearing, the members of the committee
shall have the opportunity to deliberate outside the
presence of the parties. A written report including
findings of facts, conclusions and recommendations
shall be prepared and forwarded to the Faculty Fellow
of Academic Integrity. The Faculty Fellow of Academic
Integrity shall issue a written decision within fifteen (15)
business days of receipt of the committee’s report. The
student and the professor will be sent copies of the
Faculty Fellow’s determination by certified mail.
C. Appeals
Any decision of the Faculty Fellow of Academic Integrity
may be appealed by either the grieving student or the
professor where there is evidence that a significant
impropriety in the review process occurred. The appeal
must be in writing, specify in detail the alleged procedural
impropriety, and must be filed in the Office of the Provost
within ten (10) business days, of the date of receipt of the
Faculty Fellow’s decision. The Provost or a designee shall
review the appeal and the record of the formal hearing
and issue a decision within twenty (20) business days.
The decision of the Office of the Provost is final.
More information about the grievance procedure can be
found at the website for Academic Integrity:
/
ACCESS TO STUDENT EDUCATIONAL RECORDS
1. General:
The University will not release or permit
access to education records and personally
identifiable information kept on a student except
as otherwise permitted by law and this regulation.
Responsibility for custody of all student educational
records belongs to the vice-president or other
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