Complaints

Academic Complaints

A student has a right to make a complaint regarding an academic matter or faculty action he or she believes is unfair or inappropriate, within the generally recognized standards of academic freedom and license. Such complaints should be made during the semester in which the course is taken and should be directed first to the instructor of record for the course.  Should the student not be satisfied after having an open and frank conversation with the instructor of record, the matter may be brought to the attention of the department chairperson of the instructor of record or to the dean of the college in which the instructor serves.  The dean or chairperson will speak to the instructor, and perhaps the student and instructor together, in an attempt to resolve the issue to everyone’s mutual satisfaction.  If, at the end of that process, a student continues to believe that he or she has been treated unfairly and that as a consequence has received an inappropriate final grade for the course, the student may then submit a grade appeal (see paragraph below).

For complaints against the University or its officials that remain unresolved after following all applicable University processes, students may submit a complaint to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) (see below).

NC-SARA Complaint Process

Concord University makes every effort to resolve student complaints fairly and equitably. CU students located in SARA states (California is the only non-SARA state.) must follow Concord’s complaint process prior to submitting a complaint to West Virginia’s SARA Portal Entity. If a complaint deals with CU students located in SARA states and the University is not able to resolve the complaint, Concord University will work with the WVHEPC to resolve any complaints arising from students located in SARA states, and abide by the WVHEPC regarding resolution of such complaints. (Please note that grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not permitted under SARA.)

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is the state SARA Portal Entity. Student complaints to the WVHEPC regarding West Virginia degree-granting post-secondary institutions participating in SARA may be found here.

Non-SARA State Complaints

After exhausting all internal avenues, students residing outside of West Virginia in a non-SARA state or territory may file a formal complaint with their home state authorizing agency.

California

The California complaint procedures and forms are available on the CA Department of Consumer Affairs website.

Territories

The following U.S. territories are not participating in NC-SARA:

  • American Samoa
  • Guam
  • Marshall Islands
  • Federal States of Micronesia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Palau