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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.

Filing Complaints

For matters where a resolution is not feasible, a Student Complaint Form can be completed (see form below) and filed with the Office of Student Affairs.

After you submit the complaint form, it is reviewed by the Office of Student Affairs 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 Institutional 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 the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Upon resolution, the complaint form is returned to Office of Student Affairs, and personnel in the office will then forward the decision to the student.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees to the following address:

Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 South Lane, Decatur Georgia 3033 (www.sacscoc.org). Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by email at reportfraud@tbr.edu or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller's Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 1(800) 232-5454.

Tennessee State University Complaint Polices for Certain Distance Education Students Enrolled Through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements ("SARA")

The below policies apply to students who are:

• non-Tennessee residents in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) states and who are enrolled in a distance education program/course or
• attending an out-of-state learning placement in a SARA state other than Tennessee

The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations.  For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3. 

Institution Complaint Policies

• See above section on Policies on Student Complaints.

Additional Complaint Policies

• Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)
  • Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
  • Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact RCD@tn.gov with questions.
  • The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
  • Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
  • Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.