Student Complaints and Resolution

1. Discuss your concern, in person or in writing, with the individual involved, even if the individual is in a leadership role. 

2. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, contact the individual’s immediate supervisor. You may be asked to provide your complaint in writing at this stage. 

3. The supervisor may facilitate a meeting involving the faculty or staff member and another administrator to find a resolution. 

4. If the issue remains unresolved, you may escalate the matter to the supervisor’s supervisor for further review. 

1. The student attempts to resolve the matter informally by talking directly with the instructor.   

2. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, or is uncomfortable talking with the instructor, the student contacts the program director or department chair. If the instructor is also the program director or department chair, then the student contacts the associate dean of the college where the course is taught. 

3. If the matter remains unresolved after step 2, the student fills out the Academic Dispute Form, which will be routed to the relevant associate dean. The associate dean will attempt to mediate and reach a resolution but may also refer the complaint to a different review process, request assistance from other offices, such as the Dean of Students or the Disability Resource Center, or collect more information and refer the dispute to the college dean.  

4. If the matter remains unresolved at this stage, the instructor’s initial determination will be applied. The associate dean will communicate to both the student and the instructor that their review is complete and that the student has the right to appeal this decision to the Provost. 

5. If the student decides to appeal to the Provost, the student needs to submit a request via email within 10 business days of receiving the associate dean’s communication. The email should include detailed facts of the dispute, what informal and formal steps have been taken, and what requested resolution they are seeking.  

6. The Provost has 20 business days to review the appeal, make a final decision and communicate the decision in writing to both parties. During their review, the Provost may request additional information from either party, interview both parties, request information from the associate dean and/or dean, or refer the complaint to a different review process. The Provost may also extend their review period beyond 20 business days if circumstances merit but must communicate this in a timely fashion.  

7. Once the Provost has made a decision on the appeal, their determination is final and no further appeal is possible. 

1. Students should attempt to address their complaints directly with the individual.  

2. If the issue is not resolved, or the student is uncomfortable addressing the individual, the student can take their complaint to the individual’s supervisor or director.  

3. If resolution is still not achieved, students should contact the Dean of Students office for support. Students may also fill out the General Student Complaint form, which will help the Dean of Students office staff better support you. Please note that the university may not be able to properly investigate or address anonymous complaints, so students are encouraged to include their contact information on the form. 

An individual may file a complaint alleging a violation of one or more of the following categories: 

• Complaints that allege a violation of state consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising; 

• Complaints that allege a violation of state law or rule relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and/or 

• Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements. 

1. Per Universities of Wisconsin System Administration (UWSA) policies and procedures, an individual should first utilize the university’s internal complaint or review process prior to contacting UWSA.  

2. If a resolution is not reached at the university level, or if you believe that the nature of the complaint or its impact on the System as a whole warrants an immediate review by UWSA, contact the UWSA Office of Academic Affairs at oaa@wisconsin.edu or 608-262-8778.  

3. See also Universities of Wisconsin Student Complaints. 

1. Students are encouraged to utilize UWRF’s internal complaint or review policies and procedures prior to filing a complaint with the state agency.  

2. If no internal resolution is reached, then the student may file a complaint with the Wisconsin Distance Learning Authorization Board (DLAB) through the State Authorization Reciprocity Complaint Process. 

3. To file a complaint, please complete the DLAB complaint form and by following process provided at the Distance Learning Authorization Board's website. 

More information on the process is outlined by the Universities of Wisconsin.  

See also the State Authorization Guide provided by NC-SARA for more information.