Policy on Student Complaints

Tennessee State University is committed to a policy of fair treatment of its students in their relationships with fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators. Students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of the matter directly with the faculty or individual(s) involved when possible. For matters where a resolution is not feasible, a Student Complaint Form can be completed and filed with the Vice President for Student Affairs Office located in Suite 308 of the Floyd/Payne Campus Center.

The TSU student complaint process was developed in December of 2008 at the direction of the President Melvin N. Johnson we he discovered none was in place. Formally completed in January of 2009 and approved by the President’s Cabinet, the complaint procedure is as follows:

Students may obtain a complaint form from the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Student Conduct and Mediation Services, the Office of Residence Life and Housing, all residence halls/apartments, and the One Stop Shop located on the Avon Williams Campus. The form is also available on line at www.tnstate.edu/interior.asp?mid=263.  A completed form is filed in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The complaint is logged, assigned a number, and forwarded to the Vice President of the area of the complaint. The Vice President of the area is responsible for obtaining a response to the complaint which is forwarded to the student. Action response dates by responsible parties are recorded as well as the name of specific responding staff member are noted on the form. A few examples of student complaints are attached.

Information about the student complaint process is attached to the student complaint form. The information will be published in the 2010-2011 student handbooks.

Filing Complaints

The students obtain a copy of the Student Complaint Form from the Division of Student Affairs Offices and the Tennessee State University website at www.tnstate.edu/interior.asp?mid=263. The complaint form is completed and hand delivered or emailed to the Vice President for Student Affairs by the student.  Upon receipt of the complaint, the form is reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate office based on the subject matter.

Example 1: If the complaint is against a student for violation of code of student conduct, the complaint is forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct and Mediation Services.

 Example 2: If the complaint alleges discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, the complaint is forwarded to Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance.

Example 3.  If the subject matter is a residential hall complaint, the complaint is forwarded to the Director of Residence Life and Housing.

Example 4.  If the subject matter is an academic complaint, the complaint is forwarded to Provost.

Upon resolution, complaint form is returned to Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs who forwards the decision to the student.