COUNTY COLLEGE OF MORRIS
PROCEDURE FOR FILING A COMPLAINT
ABOUT A CLASS, A FACULTY MEMBER OR STAFF MEMBER
At County College of Morris, every effort is made to maintain a positive and productive environment. It is expected that all individuals, students, faculty and staff will demonstrate mutual respect and understanding towards this goal. Employees should consult the “Student Code of Conduct” or the handbook on “Dealing with Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom and on the Campus” for procedures in addressing problems with students. In those instances in which students have a problem in a class, with a faculty member or another employee, the following procedures should be followed:
Academic Complaints
- 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.
- 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 the Dean of Students or the student may contact the Office of the Dean of Students to obtain advice regarding how to proceed with his/her concern. In those instances in which the student contacts the Office of the Dean of Students, 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 School Dean. The representative of the Office of the Dean of Students serves as a mediator in the process and will not render a determination.
- The student explains the nature of the concern to the faculty member and/or the Department Chairperson.
- 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.
- If the concern is expressed to a representative of the Office of the Dean of Students, the Dean will contact the faculty member or 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.
- If, after having met with the faculty member and/or Department Chairperson, the student still has not achieved satisfaction, he/she could contact the School 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 and Enrollment Management was involved in the initial phase of the student’s pursuit, the School Dean may consult with that individual as well.
- If, after having met with the School Dean, the student remains dissatisfied, the final level of appeal is to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Again, the student must explain the details of his/her concern, provide evidence documenting the issue, and offer an explanation as to why an acceptable resolution has not been reached. The Vice President will investigate the matter and render a determination as appropriate.
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 School Dean should oversee any required follow-up.
If, at the conclusion of following these procedures, no satisfactory resolution is determined, the School Dean or Vice President of Academic Affairs 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.
Non-Academic Complaints
- The student is encouraged to address the concern first with the staff member. 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 staff member and the student to arrive at an acceptable solution to the concern that involves the student returning to his/her college activities.
- If the student is not satisfied after having spoken to the staff member, or does not feel as if he/she can approach the staff member, he/she should contact the staff member’s Supervisor to submit his/her concern or the student may contact the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss his/her concerns. In the instances in which the student contacts the Office of the Dean of Students, he/she does so with the understanding that further pursuit of a resolution involves the staff member and the staff member’s Supervisor.
- When the concern is made to the employee’s Supervisor, that individual will communicate with the staff member directly. The Supervisor will determine the appropriate actions to be taken to resolve the matter efficiently and effectively.
- If the concern is expressed to a representative of the Office of the Dean of Students, the Dean will contact the staff member, and/or the Supervisor 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 this matter.
- If, after having met with the staff member and/or Supervisor of the department, the student still has not achieved satisfaction, he/she should contact the Office of the Dean of Students to work through an acceptable resolution involving all appropriate individuals; e.g. student, staff member, Department Supervisor.
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 Supervisor or representative from the Office of the Dean of Students should oversee any required follow-up.