Student Complaint Policy and Procedure

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is committed to respecting all members of our university community and providing a quality educational experience for all students.

See Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook or College Student Handbook for full policy and procedure.

The objective of the Student Complaint Policy and Procedure is to ensure that the concerns and complaints of undergraduate or graduate students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. Complaints related to this policy are usually the result of behavior that the student feels is unjust, inequitable, or creates an unnecessary hardship.

Students may file a complaint using this procedure if they believe a problem is not governed by SMUMN’s other complaint or appeal procedures. Many of the other complaint policies may be found in the SMUMN Student Handbooks and Catalogs. If there is a question regarding which appeal or complaint procedure is the most appropriate, students should contact the Office of Student Affairs. After consulting with the student, Student Affairs staff will direct the student to the most appropriate procedure.

Procedure

Whenever possible, students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of the matter directly with the faculty or individual(s) involved. Often a complaint can be resolved in this way. However, if an informal approach is neither successful nor advisable, the student should use the following procedure:

A student complaint form should be submitted to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. It should contain (at a minimum) the date and time of the alleged conflict or action, the reason(s) for the complaint, a summary of the complaint, a list of other persons who may provide information, and any appropriate documentation. The student must also include the resolution or outcome he or she is seeking. The complaint must be submitted within ten (10) business days of the alleged conflict or action.