Student Complaints

Prior to filing a formal complaint, students are encouraged to resolve the concern directly with the individuals involved. Students will find that most situations can be effectively addressed in this manner. The right of a student to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint so filed shall not be impaired by the student's pursuit of other remedies, such as filing of a complaint with the responsible federal department or agency. Students are provided opportunities to specifically address complaints through established university procedures for sexual or gender-based discrimination, employment, admissions to the university, disciplinary action, parking citations, academic matters, and grade appeals. The following procedures should be followed for handling other concerns not listed above.

Online Formal Student Complaint Form

Formal Grievance

1. Any student, hereinafter referred to as the student, wishing to submit a grievance shall initially file a formal grievance in writing to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, herein referred to as the administrator. If the grievance is against the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, then the student should notify in writing the Dean of Student Affairs.
   1. The written notice should state the specific grievance; student's name, address, and telephone number; specific date(s); if possible, names of other persons allegedly involved as either witnesses or participants; and specific remedies sought. The written grievance must be signed and dated by the student, and submitted within 30 business days of the alleged incident. Determination as to whether complaints submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the administrator.
2. After the grievance is received, the investigative period may last up to 30 business days; extenuating circumstances may cause the University to deviate from the defined time frames. An investigation shall follow the submission of the grievance.
   1. The administrator shall conduct the investigation or appoint a university or system investigator, if necessary. The administrator will take reasonable measures to avoid any and all conflicts of interest in selecting the investigator. The investigator will gather all facts pertaining to the grievance and submit those in writing to the administrator.
   2. This procedure ensures thorough investigations, affording all involved parties an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the grievance.
3. The administrator shall send a written resolution to the student with the outcome(s), reason(s) for the decision, any remedies afforded, if any, and notice of the appeals process. The administrator shall also forward a copy of the resolution to the employee overseeing the area or individual and be kept on file for one calendar year in the Office of Student Affairs.

Appeal

1. If the student wishes to file an appeal of the resolution, the student shall notify the Dean of Student Affairs of the appeal in writing with a copy of the initial student grievance and copy of the administrators written resolution. The written appeal must be signed by the student, and submitted within 10 business days of the administrator's resolution. Determination as to whether appeals submitted after this deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. An investigation shall follow the submission of the appeal. The Dean of Student Affairs will appoint an impartial panel consisting of 3 employees within the University or system. The Dean of Student Affairs will take reasonable measures to avoid any and all conflicts of interest in selecting the panel. Within 30 business days of receiving the appeal, the panel shall submit their decision in writing to the student with the outcome(s), reason(s) for the decision, any remedies afforded, if any. Extenuating circumstances may cause the University to deviate from the defined time frames. The panel shall also forward a copy of the resolution to the Office of Student Affairs and be kept on file for one calendar year. The resolution or outcome from the appeal is final.

Emergency or Immediate Assistance

To report immediate threats to life or property or if you require emergency assistance, please contact the University Police at or call 911.

Texas A&M University System

The Texas A&M University System also maintains an on-line system for reporting waste, fraud, abuse or other serious ethics violations. It is available at: www.ethicspoint.com or by calling 888-501-3850.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

This student complaint procedure complies with the U.S. Department of Education's "Program Integrity" regulations, which require each state to have a student complaint procedure in order for public and private higher education institutions to be eligible for federal Title IV funds. Current, former, and prospective students may initiate a complaint with THECB by visiting the Coordinating Board website . The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) adopted rules codified under Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Sections 1.110 – 1.120, on October 25, 2012.

Department of Defense Post-Secondary Education Complaint System

Military-affiliated students may submit a complaint if they believe TAMUCT is failing to follow the Principles of Excellence established by the President's Executive Order. Examples of education-related issues may include, but are not limited to, misrepresentation or deceptive actions with regards to private or institutional loans, high-pressure recruitment tactics, false representations about degree programs, and misleading statement regarding accreditation. Students may submit a complaint at www.militaryonesource.mil/voluntary-education/complaint .

Filing Complaints with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) NC-SARA provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The student should begin the complaint process with the institution and if a resolution is not found, the student would contact the Institution’s Home State SARA Portal Entity, https://nc-sara.org/student-complaints.

Accrediting Agency: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Information about filing a complaint with the College's accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), can be found on its website. Please note that the SACSCOC complaint process is not intended to be used to involve the Commission in disputes between individuals and member institutions or to cause the Commission to interpose itself as a reviewing authority in individual matters; nor does the policy allow the Commission to seek redress on an individual's behalf. The primary purpose of the SACSCOC complaint procedure is to acquire valuable information regarding an accredited institution's possible non-compliance with accreditation standards, policies and procedures rather than to resolve individual disputes.