Student Complaint and Grievance

A student who believes that his or her rights have been violated by a faculty/staff member or by another student, should attempt to resolve the matter by informally discussing the situation with the person(s) involved. If this is not possible or undesired, they may utilize the procedures outlined throughout this website.

If a complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the institution’s grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with agencies outside the institution. For additional information, go to the “External Agency” page within this website or visit Indiana State Online.

Any student may file a report with the University Police Department when they feel a violation of criminal law may have occurred.

Procedures

Listed below are the procedures for students to follow when they believe any of their rights, as defined in the Code of Student Conduct have been violated by a member of the university community.

First and foremost, any student may file a report with the University Police Department when they feel a violation of criminal law may have occurred.

A student who believes that his or her rights have been violated by a faculty/staff member or by another student should attempt to resolve the matter by informally discussing the situation with the person(s) involved. If this is not possible or undesired the following steps should be followed.

Complaints Against:

Other Students or Student Organizations

A student may submit a written complaint to the Dean of Students Office for review. If the complaint is found to be with merit, the Dean of Students Office will then submit the complaint on the student's behalf to the appropriate office or department for resolution.

Members of the University Faculty and Administration

A written complaint should be made to the administrative officer who is the immediate supervisor of the person involved in the alleged violation. The appropriate administrative officer may be one of the following:

1. A department head or similar academic officer, if one exists within the particular school or unit involved.
2. The dean or director of a school or unit, if the school or unit does not have a department head or similar academic officer.
3. Even if a school or unit has a department head or similar academic officer, the dean or director of the school or unit may adopt a rule that formal complaints are to be submitted directly to the dean or director.

The administrative officer receiving the formal complaint will determine whether or not the complaint has merit. Complaints with merit will be reviewed and resolved by the appropriate department or office for resolution. If the complaint is not determined to be justifiable, the complaint procedure ends.

Any questions regarding where to direct a complaint, please contact the Dean of Students Office.

Members of the University Involving Discrimination, Including Harassment

The University has established procedures for handling allegations of discrimination and harassment. Complaints of discrimination, including harassment, based upon age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation should be submitted in writing to the Indiana State University Affirmative Action Office.

Complaints by a student against another student should be referred to the Dean of Students Office for resolution under the student conduct system.

Student or University Employees

When the alleged violation is committed by a student employee, a written complaint may be submitted to the department supervisor for whom the student employee works. A written complaint may also be submitted to Student Employment Office for review. If the complaint is found to be of merit, the Student Employment Office will then submit the complaint on the student’s behalf to the appropriate office or department.