Consumer Complaints

Policy Statement

Georgia College recognizes the importance of providing a prompt and efficient procedure for fair and equitable resolutions of a nonacademic grievance or appeal. A nonacademic grievance or appeal alleges discrimination by a university employee on the basis of race, color, sex (sexual orientation or gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or involves personal behavior and/or university policy. Accordingly, students are encouraged to use the nonacademic grievance or appeal process without fear, prejudice, or reprisal for initiating the process or participating in its resolution.

A non-academic grievance or appeal is an allegation by a student concerning (1) a university employee, (2) administrative policies, procedures, regulations or requirements of the university, (3) actions impeding a campus climate of intellectual diversity, (4) student employment, or (5) a university program, service or activity. Students shall have the right to file a grievance or appeal according to established procedures.

Procedures

The following are the proper procedures for resolving a nonacademic grievance or appeal:

1. The student shall submit a complaint in writing to the appropriate university official responsible for the action which forms the basis of the grievance or appeal. If the student is uncomfortable addressing the complaint to the university official responsible for the action, the student may, as an alternative, address the complaint to the university's Director of Institutional Equity.  The complaint shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance or appeal, the remedies sought and a request for a meeting with the involved person or persons. The complaint must be submitted within five days of the event, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
2. The respondent shall schedule a meeting with the student within ten class days of receiving the written grievance or appeal, to discuss the matter. A written reply by the respondent to the student indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the results of the discussion and/or the reply, and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the respondent's supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within ten class days after the conclusion of the discussion with the respondent. A written reply by the respondent's supervisor to the student indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
4. If the student is not satisfied after seeking consultation at the supervisor's level and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the secondary supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within ten class days after the supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the secondary supervisor to the student indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
5. If the student is not satisfied and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the next appropriate supervisor. This grievance or appeal must be filed within ten class days after the secondary supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the next appropriate supervisor to the student indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
6. The decision of the president will become the final campus decision on the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the president to the student indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal. The student and appropriate university officials shall be notified in writing of the decision within ten class days after the last consideration of the grievance or appeal.
7. After completing the procedure above, if a student feels that his/her situation has not been resolved at the institutional level, the student may appeal outside of the institution. Please see the information about complaints to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Students should be aware that their faculty advisors, the Office of Counseling Services, the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Affairs may be resource areas where students may receive assistance on a grievance or appeal. The time limit may be extended upon approval of a written request submitted to the Vice President and Dean of Students.