The Academic Complaint Procedures apply to student complaints concerning:

A. Assignment of Grades; or

B. Professional conduct of an instructor that does not involve a complaint of discrimination or harassment, (1) such as a complaint of unfair treatment not involving discrimination or decisions about eligibility for program or degree requirements.

“Working days” means Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, unless the day is a school holiday or vacation period. If the last day of the designated time period is a school holiday or vacation period, the designated time period will run until the end of the next day which is not a school holiday or vacation period. The term “vacation period” does not include the week of final exams.

For full policy details, refer to AA312_Student Academic Complaint Policy.

Step 1

The student must submit a written complaint to the instructor within 30 working days of receiving grade notification or experiencing the disputed conduct. The student must also provide a copy of the written complaint to the Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Within 10 working days of receiving the written complaint, the instructor will respond to the complaint, stating in writing the instructor’s decision and the basis for the decision. The instructor will also provide a copy of the written decision to the Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

If the student is dissatisfied with the instructor’s decision, the student may proceed to Step II.

Step II

Within 10 working days of receiving the instructor’s decision, the student must submit a written complaint to the department chairperson of the instructor, stating why the student is dissatisfied with the instructor’s written decision. The student must also provide a copy of the written complaint to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

If the instructor is the department chairperson, within 10 working days of receiving the chairperson’s decision, the student must submit a written complaint to the Dean of the department, stating why the student is dissatisfied with the chairperson’s written decision. The student must also provide a copy of the written complaint to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The department chairperson, Dean, or a faculty member designated by the Dean (“designee”) will investigate the complaint and, within 10 working days of receiving written complaint, advise the student and the instructor, in writing, of the department chairperson’s, Dean’s, or designee’s findings and decision. The department chairperson, Dean, or designee will also provide a copy of the written
decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs. The department chairperson’s, Dean’s, or designee’s investigation may include interviews with the student, the instructor, other students in the course, other instructors who have taught the course, and the review and comparison of pertinent papers and examinations.

If the student is dissatisfied with the department chairperson’s, Dean’s, or designee’s decision, the student may proceed.

Step III

The student must submit a written request to the Student Appeals Committee for a hearing. The student must submit the request within 5 working days of receiving the department chairperson’s, Dean’s, or designee’s written decision.

Student Handbook

The Academic Complaint process and other processes related to academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook.

https://admin.wnmu.edu/handbooks/student-handbook/

Contact Us

Center For Student Success
Phone:575-538-6905
Email: css@wnmu.edu
Location: Juan Chacon Building 2nd floor