Student Concerns and Complaints

At John A. Logan College, we care deeply about creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. We believe every student deserves equal access to opportunities and support, and we are here to listen when concerns arise. To help ensure a fair and respectful campus community, the College has established clear procedures to address student concerns in a timely and thoughtful way.

We take every complaint seriously and strive to treat each situation with care and respect. That said, it’s important that complaints are made in good faith; frivolous or intentionally disruptive complaints may lead to disciplinary action. We also want to be clear: retaliation of any kind against a student who brings forward a concern is strictly prohibited. If you experience or witness retaliation, please reach out to the Director of Student Success (link to email) or the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs (link to email) right away.

Our goal is to support students and uphold community standards. Any student or employee found in violation of this policy, including through retaliatory actions, may face disciplinary consequences, which could include expulsion or termination. We are committed to working together to keep our college community respectful, safe, and supportive for everyone.

Academic and non-academic issues will be handled in accordance with established procedures. Complaints may fall into one of the following categories:

Academic Complaints related to:

  • Grades – Disputes regarding final course grades or grading procedures.
  • Course Information – Issues with the accuracy, accessibility, or clarity of course materials and expectations.
  • Faculty Communication – Concerns about response times, clarity in instruction, or availability of faculty.
  • Faculty Performance – Complaints regarding teaching effectiveness, professionalism, or adherence to syllabus guidelines.

Non-Academic Complaints involving college-related issues outside of the classroom including:

  • Student Services – Issues with advising, financial aid, student activities, or other campus resources.
  • Policy Violations – Allegations of a breach, misapplication, or misinterpretation of College policies.
  • Student to Student Complaints – Grievances by one student against another, typically involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, or behavior that violates the College’s code of conduct.
  • General Campus Concerns – Complaints about facilities, campus safety, or interactions with staff members.

Civil Rights Complaints – These pertain to potential violations of federal and institutional policies related to civil rights, including:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance – Accessibility concerns or failure to provide reasonable accommodations.
  • Sex-Based Misconduct – Cases of sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based discrimination.
  • Discrimination and Harassment – Complaints related to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or other protected categories.

Please note: Civil rights complaints may involve issues governed by federal and state laws. Additional or alternative steps are often required to ensure full compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Step 1: Student Attempt at Informal Resolution

Students are expected to resolve issues through informal channels before filing a formal complaint, unless this approach would cause further harm. They should contact the faculty or staff member where the situation occurred to address the issue, making reasonable efforts to resolve the matter. Students are strongly encouraged to document their attempts to resolve the issue.

For guidance in navigating informal resolution, students may seek assistance from the Director of Student Success or Assistant Provost for Student Affairs.

If the matter remains unresolved, students may proceed with a formal complaint.

Step 2: Formal Complaints

To initiate a formal complaint, students must complete the Report a Concern Form (hyperlink). Upon submission, the Director of Student Success or Assistant Provost for Student Affairs (or designee) will:

  • Review the complaint and provide immediate assistance if necessary,
  • Refer the complaint to the appropriate Director, Dean, or College official based on its subject matter,
  • Notify the student via their Volmail email account, confirming receipt and outlining next steps.

The Director of Student Success and Assistant Provost for Student Affairs (or designee) ensure complaints are handled appropriately and in a timely manner. The assigned college personnel must respond within 10 business days by completing the Student Complaint Resolution Form, which will be emailed to the student’s Volmail account.

If additional steps are required to fully address the complaint, the Resolution Form will include details of further action.

Report a Concern Tool

Step 3: Student Response to Resolution

Upon receiving the completed Resolution Form, students have two options:

  • If satisfied with the resolution, they can acknowledge it on the form, and the matter will be considered resolved. Additionally, if no response is received from the student within 10 days, the matter will be considered resolved.
  • If dissatisfied, they can indicate so on the form, prompting a review by the supervisor of the employee who handled the complaint. The supervisor will have 10 business days from receipt of the complaint to respond via the Resolution Form.

If the student remains dissatisfied after the supervisor’s review, they can use the Resolution Form sent to their Volmail account to request a review by the Student Complaint and Conduct Committee.

Step 4: Appeal to Student Complaint and Conduct Committee

The Student Complaint and Conduct Committee is an ad hoc committee chaired by the Provost (or designee) and includes the Provost, either the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs or the Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, one Academic Dean and one Student Affairs Director. Faculty may be added to the committee for the resolution of complaints of an academic nature. The committee is structured to ensure that no employee involved in a prior review of the complaint is included.

Within 10 business days of the student’s request, the Chair will convene the Student Complaint and Conduct Committee to review evidence and previous resolutions, determine any necessary immediate actions, and set a hearing date. During the hearing, the complainant will have the opportunity to present relevant information and explain their circumstances to the committee. Additionally, college personnel may be called to provide information to the committee.

Step 5: Final Resolution

After the hearing, the Student Complaint and Conduct Committee will submit a recommendation to the Chair, who will issue a written decision, including relevant rationale, to the student who filed the complaint and, if applicable, the individual against whom the complaint was filed. This decision will be provided within 10 business days of the hearing. Students may appeal the final resolution to the College President by submitting the Final Resolution Form included with the resolution letter. While the President may choose to review the appeal and conduct an impartial investigation, they are not required to do so. The President’s Office will issue a written response. If the President declines to review the appeal, the decision of the Student Complaint and Conduct Committee will stand as final.

A student who believes they have been discriminated against because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, citizenship status, disability unrelated to essential job functions, age, order of protection status, arrest record, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, language, pregnancy, or genetics is also entitled to file a complaint with one or more of the following: