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Student Complaints and Appeal Policy and Procedure 

Adler University designates certain administrative offices responsible for receiving, investigating, and resolving student complaints. Depending upon the nature of the complaint, specific policies and procedures are detailed below. This policy applies to all Adler University students regardless of department, campus, status, or location. No retaliation shall be taken against a student who articulates a complaint.

Students who wish to submit a complaint can do so by following the complaint submission steps listed below.

General Student Complaint and Appeal Policy

Adler University has adopted this general student appeal procedure to resolve students’ concerns about implementing Adler University policies and procedures. The primary objective of this student appeal procedure is to ensure that student concerns are dealt with promptly and resolutions are reached reasonably. This general student appeal procedure will be followed except in cases where a specific appeal procedure governs a specific policy. Students must exhaust the Student Grievance and Appeal Procedure before bringing a legal claim against Adler University. Before pursuing this general student appeal procedure, the student must make every reasonable effort to resolve issues with faculty, staff, or administrators. Therefore, problems or complaints must first be discussed with the individuals involved. Faculty, staff, and administrators should respond promptly to answer questions and/or resolve problems or complaints brought to their attention by students.

Adler University assigns primary responsibility and authority for grading and other evaluation comments to the instructor of record. It respects the instructor’s professional judgment in the area of student evaluation. In most cases, the instructor’s decision is final.

However, students have the right to appeal specific grades or evaluative comments from a faculty member. Grounds for an appeal must be based on an alleged violation of a written school policy or extenuating circumstances such as illness or family emergency.

Only grades of “C” or lower can be appealed, and these may be appealed only if a grading standard was not set or not followed by the instructor.

Finally, if a student is appealing a grade for a course that is a pre-requisite for a class, s/he/they cannot register for or attend subsequent classes until the grade for the pre-requisite has been resolved.

Process

STEP 1: Contact individual(s) involved.

Most concerns can be resolved informally by speaking directly with the individual; this approach is encouraged. If the issue is not resolved, students who complain against a faculty, staff member, or administrator are expected to pursue the General Student Complaint and Appeal policy and procedure. Students who are appealing decisions regarding academic status, disciplinary action, or dismissal are expected to pursue the General Student Complaint and Appeal policy and procedure.

Any informal or verbal complaint from a student should be considered by the institutional officer responsible for the area in which the complaint is made. If the informal complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, the student may submit a formal complaint through the Manager of Student and Alumni Services.

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STEP 2: Appeal to the program director.

If Step 1 does not resolve the concern, the student may present an appeal to the program director within ten (10) calendar days of the instructor’s response.

Students should write a letter of appeal with the following information: name, mailing, and email address; course number, title, and section; semester and year taken; instructor’s name; and a clear statement of the grade change requested, the basis for the appeal (as noted above), and the facts that support the request.

The program director will decide if a meeting with the student is necessary and will conduct an investigation that may include consulting the parties involved, gathering all pertinent information, and/or reviewing relevant facts.

The result of the review will be summarized in writing by the Program Director and placed in the student’s academic file.

If the program director is the instructor for the course, the appeal should be presented to the Campus dean. The dean’s decision is final.

If the student feels that the evaluative comment is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student, the student may also insert a written statement in the record.

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STEP 3: Submit a complaint.

Most concerns can be resolved informally by speaking directly with the individual. If the issue is not resolved, students who have a complaint against a faculty or staff member or administrator can choose to complete the Student Complaint Form and submit it to People and Culture, the office overseeing student complaints.

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Type of ComplaintPolicy	Brief Description	How to Submit Complaint
General Student Complaint and/or Appeal Policy	Most concerns can be resolved informally by speaking directly with the individual; this approach is encouraged.If the issue is not resolved, students who have a complaint against a faculty or staff member or administrator are expected to pursue the General Student Complaint and Appeal policy and procedure.Students who are appealing decisions regarding academic status, disciplinary action, or dismissal are expected to pursue the General Student Complaint and Appeal policy and procedure.	Complete the Student Complaint Form and submit it to StudentComplaints@adler.edu
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy	No person shall be the object of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, body size and shape, national origin, political belief, age, marital status, family relationship status, parental status, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, arrest record, pregnancy, childbirth (including but not limited to conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, citizenship status, military or veteran status (including unfavorable military discharge), conviction of criminal offence that is unrelated to the employment or the intended employment of that person, or any other status protected by local or federal law in employment or educational settings.	Complete the Student Complaint Form and submit it to StudentComplaints@adler.edu

Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (Chicago and Online)	Prohibits Title IX Sexual Harassment that occurs within education programs or activities. Sexual Harassment includes Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment, Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking.Any person may report Sexual Harassment to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator. In-person reports must be made during normal business hours, but reports can be made by regular mail, telephone, or electronic mail at any time, including outside of normal business hours.	Reports may be made by complainants, third parties, witnesses or bystanders and may be made in person, by regular mail, telephone (Julie Proscia @ 312.662.4304 or Ben Lyon @ 312.662.4103), email (TitleIX@adler.edu), or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Individuals, including third parties and bystanders, can submit a report of Sexual Harassment electronically by completing the form found here.
Sexual Misconduct Policy (Vancouver)	“Sexual misconduct” includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation; is a form of sex discrimination; and is prohibited. “Interpersonal violence” includes domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, and it is also prohibited.In-person reports must be made during normal business hours, but reports can be made by regular mail, telephone, or electronic mail at any time, including outside of normal business hours.	Reports may be made by complainants, third parties, witnesses or bystanders and may be made in person, by regular mail, telephone (Julie Proscia @ 312.662.4304, Suzanne Milner @ 236.521.2433, or Ben Lyon @ 312.662.4103), by email (TitleIX@adler.edu), or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Individuals, including third parties and bystanders, can submit a report of Sexual Harassment electronically by completing the form found here.
Grade Appeals Policy	Specific criteria, as specified in the catalog, is required to form the basis of a grade appeal.	Any student may request a grade appeal by contacting their instructor directly.
Student Development Committee (SDC) Appeals Policy	Students have the right to appeal decisions made by their program SDC.Complete description of SDC and related appeal policy is found in the Student Handbook.	Students must submit a written appeal stating the grounds for the appeal with supporting documentation directly to the program chair or director of their academic program.

General Student Complaint and Appeal Policy & Procedure:

The purpose of the Adler University General Student Complaint and Appeal Policy is to provide students with an avenue to resolve complaints or appeal decisions regarding the implementation of Adler University policies and procedures.

Students must exhaust the General Student Complaint and Appeal Procedure before bringing a legal claim against Adler University.

Informal Complaint Procedure

The initial step is for the student to try to obtain resolution or redress through discussions with the person(s) involved. These discussions should be held as soon as possible. Faculty, staff and administrators should respond in a reasonable and timely manner to answer questions and/or to resolve problems or complaints brought to their attention by students. Students are strongly encouraged to seek support and assistance from their advisor as well as the Office of Student Affairs. If the matter is still not resolved, the student should proceed to the formal complaint procedure.

Formal Complaint Procedure

Upon submission of the Student Complaint Form to StudentComplaints@adler.edu, the student will receive an automated acknowledgement of the complaint. The Office of the Office of People and Culture will review the complaint and assign it to the responsible department or administrator. Complaints processed under the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (Chicago and Online), Sexual Misconduct Policy (Vancouver), or Grade Appeals policies will be processed within the procedures and timelines of the respective policy.

Complaints processed under the General Student Complaint and Appeal Procedure will be investigated and resolved within 15 business days. This timeline can be extended to 30 business days with written notice from the responsible administrator. The responsible administrator will advise the complainant if the timeline will be extended. The responsible administrator in receipt of the complaint will issue a written determination of the complaint which will be provided to the student and the affected unit/department or other individual.

If it is evident the complaint has not been previously addressed by the appropriate department/unit for investigation and proposed resolution, the complaint may be referred to the correct level for a decision. The office that receives the complaint may overturn, modify, or uphold the previous decision made by the head of the unit.

The decision of the responsible administrator is final.

Appeal Procedure

A student has the right to appeal decisions regarding academic status, disciplinary action, or dismissal, if the student believes:

1. There is procedural error identified that indicates a substantial breach of institutional policy, procedure or established practice.
2. There is new information of a substantive nature that was not available at the time the decision was made. New information may require documentation.
3. The initial decision is biased or in violation of stated student rights.

The University reserves the right to temporarily restrict students who have been referred for a comprehensive evaluation process from attending classes, training, or university-sponsored activities, events or programs while under review. This restriction may apply throughout related appeal processes.

Students who wish to appeal for reasons stated above must submit an appeal by completing the Student Complaint Form and attaching any additional documentation within 10 business days of the incident or initial decision date. The Student Complaint Form and attached documentation of the appeal should be directed to StudentComplaints@adler.edu.

Once the written appeal is received, the campus Vice President for Academic Affairs or Executive Dean will determine if a meeting with the student is necessary. If it is evident the complaint has not been previously addressed by the appropriate department/unit for proposed resolution, the complaint may be referred to the correct level for a decision.

The Vice President or campus Executive Dean will render a written decision to the student within 10 business days of receipt of the formal written complaint. The University reserves the right to extend the decision date depending on the circumstances in order to conduct a full review. This extension will not exceed 30 business days. The Vice President or Executive Dean can, at their discretion, convene an appeal review committee to review and determine the outcome of any appeal. All decisions on appeals are final.

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It is the expectation of Adler University that students will find a fair and equitable resolution to complaints when following the complaint process as outlined above; however, if a student desires to take further action, information for filing complaints with our State/Provincial governing entity can be found here: https://www.adler.edu/disclosures/

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Adler University expects that students will find a fair and equitable resolution to complaints when following the complaint process as outlined above; however, if a student desires to take further action, information for filing complaints with our State/Provincial governing entity can be found here: https://www.adler.edu/disclosures/