4.5 Student Complaints

The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints. (Student complaints)

Compliant

William Carey University has adequate, approved policies and procedures that are published and disseminated, which address written student complaints, including the institution’s potential violation or disregard for SACS The Principles of Accreditation (The Student Handbook, and the Policy and Procedures Manual). All complaint policies are consistent with the SACS "Complaint Procedures against the Commission or its Accredited Institutions." Students are made aware of this policy through the annually distributed student handbook (i.e., The Student Handbook, and The COM Student Handbook and Catalog). Also, students are informed that this policy and procedure is on file in the office of the President, Academic Vice President, all Deans, and the University library (Student Written Complaint to SACS about WCU); in addition, the policy is archived on Sharepoint, the University's intranet.

The University also has adequate, approved policies and procedures that are published and distributed annually related to written student complaints. The Student Handbook includes a Policy on Student Complaints which addresses all aspects of student life. If a student wishes to file a complaint, detailed Procedural Steps are outlined in detail in The Student Handbook. The COM Student Handbook and Catalog includes a policy on student grievances.

To document the University's practice of its policies, four samples are included. These student samples include the following:

Incident 1, Written Student Complaint and Resolution (Drugs)

Incident 2, Written Student Complaint and Resolution (Harassment)

Incident 3, Written Student Complaint and Resolution (WCUCOM Academic Grade)

Incident 4, Written Student Complaint and Resolution (Academic Grade)

Documentation

Policy and Procedures Manual

The COM Student Handbook and Catalog

The Student Handbook