Student Complaint and Grievance Policy

Benedictine College is committed to treating all students fairly and respectfully. The College’s policies that apply to students are published annually in the Benedictine College Catalog and in the Benedictine College Student Handbook. These publications are available on-line on the Benedictine College website.

In an instance of perceived violation of a College policy, a student may file a complaint. This policy provides two avenues for pursuing a complaint: an Informal Resolution Procedure and a Formal Resolution Procedure. Students may utilize either or both procedures.

If a student has a complaint dealing with sexual harassment, sexual assault/violence, or unlawful discrimination that could be considered a Title IX complaint, please refer to our specific Title IX website in order to receive immediate assistance.

Unresolved student concerns regarding programs authorized through SARA may be directed to the state portal entity.

SARA Complaint Form and Procedures

Informal Resolution Procedure

The student arranges a meeting with the person involved with the complaint and/or with the direct supervisor of the person involved.

For example, a student who perceives that he or she has been graded unfairly on an assignment should meet with the faculty member who assigned the grade. In this example, the meeting with the faculty member may be followed up with a meeting with the department chair or the original meeting might be with the department chair.

Another example would be a complaint to the Student Life Office involving a Resident Director. The student would meet with Resident Director or the Director of Residence Life and attempt to resolve the issue in this way.

If the informal process does not resolve the complaint, the student may utilize the formal complaint procedure.

Formal Resolution Procedure

A formal complaint is in writing and sets forth a statement of the issue, the College policy or procedures violated, and the specific remedy sought.

The complaint is normally submitted using an online form found on the Benedictine College website on the Student Complaints page. The complaint can also be submitted on paper to the Associate Dean of the College (St. Benedict Hall 416) and it will be forwarded to the appropriate office if you are not aware of where to submit it.

Many areas already have specific ways to handle complaints that closely parallel the steps specified below. In cases such as these, a formal complaint will be directed to the appropriate person and the previously approved appeal process will be followed.

Level 1

Normally, the person to whom the complaint has been submitted (the investigator), conducts, within seven (7) business days of receiving the complaint, a formal conference with the student, permitting her or him to provide any necessary relevant information.

The investigator confers with the other person or persons involved and conducts an additional investigation as he or she deems necessary.

Normally, a written recommendation is sent within seven (7) business days of the first formal conference. The recommendation is sent to the student and the other person or persons who are directly involved. The written recommendation states the background information, the rationale for the recommendation, and the recommended action, if any.

Copies of the original complaint and the written recommendation are kept for a minimum of five years.

Level 2

If any of the parties involved in the complaint do not feel it is adequately resolved in Level 1, they may submit a written appeal within fourteen (14) business days of receipt of the Level 1 recommendation to the direct supervisor of the person who wrote the recommendation. The written appeal must specify the conditions that s/he believes were not adequately or appropriately taken into consideration in Level 1.

Normally, the supervisor holds a hearing within fourteen (14) business days of receipt of the appeal or complaint and a written recommendation is sent to the student and others within fourteen (14) business days of such hearing.

In cases of appeals to Level 2, copies of the original complaint and the Level 1 and Level 2 written recommendations are kept for a minimum of five years.

Level 3

Except in the case of a complaint against the President, where the Board of Directors has final authority, written appeals of the Level 2 recommendation must be submitted to the President within fourteen (14) business days. The written appeal must specify the conditions that s/he believes were not adequately or appropriately taken into consideration in Level 2. The President makes the final decision. Normally, the President’s written decision is sent to the student and other parties within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the Level 3 appeal. In cases of appeals to Level 3, copies of the original complaint, the previous written recommendations, and the final decision are kept for a minimum of five years.

To access the student complaint form, please click here.