Complaints

Informal Resolution

The first step a student should take in resolving a concern or complaint is to directly address the faculty member, staff member or student in question. There may be some cases in which a student might feel uncomfortable directly addressing the faculty or staff member. If this is the case, the student should speak to the academic dean in the case of a faculty member, or to the supervisor in the case of a staff member. If the issue is with another student, and the student with the concern is uncomfortable addressing the other student, he or she may contact the Dean of Students or Director at your off-campus center. If there is no resolution at that level, the student may file a formal, written complaint.

Formal Resolution

Students who have attempted informal resolution to their complaints and need further resolution may file a formal complaint. Students should fully complete and submit the electronic student complaint form. This form will be submitted to the appropriate vice president over the area in which the student has a concern. The vice president (or designee) will conduct an investigation within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. The vice president (or designee) will communicate the outcome of the investigation to the student in no more than 30 working days of receiving the complaint.

Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Student Complaint Procedures: Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor, Nashville Tennessee 37214, or by going filling out the form electronically. Under Tennessee's open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Any written complaint received by College personnel, and not able to be resolved through an informal process, should be submitted to the President’s office. Complaints must include a name and a method of contact.

All written complaints are received by the President’s office and then routed to the appropriate Vice President for review and processing.

Upon receipt, the appropriate college official will investigate the validity of the complaint/grievance and, within 15 working days, render to the complainant a written determination of the complaint’s validity and proposed resolution. If extenuating circumstances require additional time, the complainant will be notified in writing of the delay, the reason for the delay, and the expected timeframe for resolution.

Additional information concerning filing a complaint (grievance) related to Title VI, VII, or IX or may be obtained from the Compliance and Risk Officer, Administration Building, (731) 424-3520, ext. 50326.