If a student has a complaint that is not specifically addressed in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, or Student Code of Conduct, he or she may submit the grievance/complaint by completing THIS FORM.
Dalton State College is committed to maintaining an environment in which issues are addressed fairly. There are times when students have a grievance, complaint, or issue with another student, a faculty member, or a College staff member that is not grade- or harassment-related. Further, the Grievance/Complaint may also relate to a policy, procedure, or practice that the student feels was not followed appropriately. It is recommended in these situations that students follow these informal procedures: The Office of the Vice President for Student Enrollment & Success, or designee, will walk the student through the complaint resolution process, which, depending on the severity of the complaint, may follow this model:
- Initial Review and Department-Level Resolution:
The written complaint will be reviewed and shared with the appropriate department head or supervisor responsible for the area of concern. The department head, supervisor, or designee will review the complaint, conduct any necessary inquiry, take appropriate action if warranted, and provide a written response to the student within a reasonable timeframe. - First-Level Appeal:
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, the student may submit a written appeal to the next-level supervisor within five (5) business days of receiving the response. The supervisor will review the appeal and issue a written decision within a reasonable timeframe. - Second-Level Appeal:
If the student remains dissatisfied, the student may submit a second written appeal to the next-level supervisor within five (5) business days of receiving the prior decision. A written decision will be issued within a reasonable timeframe. - Final Institutional Appeal:
Appeals may continue through the College’s administrative structure up to the President. The decision of the President represents the final decision of the institution. - Board of Regents Review:
Following the President’s decision, a student may request a discretionary review by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in accordance with Board of Regents Policy 06.26 Application for Discretionary Review. A discretionary review is not guaranteed and is granted at the Board’s sole discretion.
In certain circumstances, students may also utilize the SGA Executive Cabinet for concerns related to campus that impact the entire campus community.
Retaliation against a student for filing a grievance is strictly prohibited.
Student grievance records are maintained via Maxient, a widely used, secure, cloud-based software platform for higher education. Maxient prioritizes security through in-transit data encryption and FERPA/GDPR compliance.
Some student complaints have additional formal mechanisms for redress. The processes for these complaints are outlined in the corresponding sections of the Dalton State College catalog.