Complaint | Student Life

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.