Grievance Policy and Process
The grievance policy and process is designed to provide students, employees and members of the public with a process to resolve potential issues.
This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern.
- The person with the grievance may first attempt to resolve the issue informally with the appropriate student, faculty or employee involved ( Note: Degree programs with specific accreditation requirements, such as the Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant programs, as well as the graduate programs in Nursing and Clinical Counseling must follow those guidelines outlined in program handbooks prior to pursing this process). Students may also direct concerns to the Divisional Chair regarding academic issues.
- The Vice President of Student Life and the Provost are available to help mediate resolution, to provide impartial advice and guidance on the process and to discuss the issue.
- If the issue cannot be resolved informally to the satisfaction of the parties, the student must present, in writing within 30 days of the incident/issue, a formal grievance/explanation of the situation via the online web form
- All formal complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the appropriate departmental administrator. The written grievance/explanation should include the specific complaint and a reference to the specific matter described below. The burden of proof shall rest on the accuser or complainant, with the opportunity to present related evidence. There will be an impartial, prompt and thorough investigation of the issue. All investigations will use preponderance of evidence as the evidential standard.
- Title IX concerns, the process will follow what is noted in the Employee and Student Handbooks respectively. Students may file in person according to policy and process, or may also submit through the online complaint form.
- Grade Appeals: If the matter relates to grade appeals, the process that is found in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs will be followed. Appeals may also be electronically filed online.
- Other Academic Concern: If the appeal involves other academic related issues, Provost will act as reviewer. Student wishing to file a grievance may complete the grievance form.
- Student Life Concern: If the appeal relates to matters concerning student life, including Greek and residence hall activities, the policies as found in the Student Handbook will be followed and the Associate Dean of Students will act as reviewer. Students may complete a formal grievance form.
- All personnel matters will be addressed in accordance with the Faculty and Employee Handbooks. The Office of the Provost and Human Resources will act as reviewer.
- All other matters will be referred to the appropriate administrator for review.
Other Appeals
Students may also file a complaint of discrimination on the basis of sex, disability, gender orientation, race, color, national origin or age with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), Department of Education, OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov. Such complaints must be filed in writing no later than 180 days after the occurrence of the alleged discrimination.
In addition, The Missouri Department of Higher Education serves as a clearinghouse for postsecondary student complaints. See the MDHE complaint policy.
This process contains information about the complaint process and includes instructions for how to file a formal complaint. Note that the policy provides that a student who wishes to file a complaint with the department must first exhaust all formal and informal avenues provided by the institution to resolve disputes.
Students who are taking courses in the online format, may also file complaints and concerns with the respective states.
Individuals may also file a grievance with the Higher Learning Commission. Complaints Against an Institution Policy and Process