CCM - County College of Morris

Filing a Complaint

At County College of Morris, every effort is made to maintain a positive and productive teaching and learning environment in the classroom. It is expected that faculty and students will demonstrate mutual respect and understanding towards this goal. Faculty should consult the “Student Code of Conduct” or the handbook on “Dealing with Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom and On Campus” for procedures in addressing problems with students. In those instances in which students have a problem in a class or with a faculty member, the following procedures should be followed:  

1. The student is encouraged to address the concern first with the instructor of the course. This should be a professional and courteous conversation in which the student respectfully states the nature of his/her concern and what are his/her expectations for a resolution. Every effort should be made for the faculty member and the student to arrive at an acceptable solution to the concern that involves the student returning to the course to continue his/her education.
   
2. If the student is not satisfied after having spoken with the faculty member, or does not feel as if he/she can approach the faculty member, he/she should contact the Chairperson of the academic department to submit his/her concern. If necessary, the Department Chairperson may engage the assistance of the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management or the student may contact the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management to obtain advice regarding how to proceed with his/her concern. In those instances in which the student contacts the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management, he/she does so with the understanding that further pursuit of a resolution involves the faculty member, the Department Chairperson, and in some cases the Division Dean. The representative of the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management serves as a mediator in the process and will not render a determination. 
   
3. The student explains the nature of the concern to the faculty member and/or the Department Chairperson.
   
4. When the concern is made to the Department Chairperson that individual will communicate with the faculty member directly. The Chairperson will determine the appropriate actions to be taken between the faculty member and student in an effort to resolve the matter efficiently and effectively. 
   
5. If the concern is expressed to a representative of the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management, the Vice President or the Assistant Dean will contact the faculty member or the Chairperson of the department involved to inform him/her that a complaint has been made and to collaborate in bringing all related parties together to discuss the matter or refer the student directly to the Department Chairperson for further action.
   
6. If, after having met with the faculty member and/or Department Chairperson, the student still has not achieved satisfaction, he/she should contact the Division Dean. Again, the student must explain the details of his/her concern. The Dean’s responsibility is to work through an acceptable resolution involving all appropriate individuals; e.g., student, faculty member, Department Chairperson. If a representative from the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management was involved in the initial phase of the student’s pursuit, the Division Dean may consult with that individual as well.  

At any point in the above process if a resolution is determined, it is communicated to all parties involved verbally and/or in writing. Depending upon the resolution, the Department Chairperson or the Division Dean should oversee any required follow-up.

If, at the conclusion of following these procedures, no satisfactory resolution is determined, the Division Dean involved in the process can make a determination of whether it is acceptable to withdraw the student from the course (with or without a refund), move the student to a different section of the same course, or move the student to an alternate course.