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Return to: College Regulations and Policies
Introduction
The purpose of the Complaint Process for Students is to provide a way for both credit and continuing education students who think that a particular action on the part of a college employee has violated a published policy or procedure. The process includes an informal and formal approach.
Please note that any complaints of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct should be promptly reported to the Title IX Coordinator using this link. For questions, please email TitleIX@carrollcc.edu or call 410-386-8329.
Student concerns that are appropriate to this process include:
- Academic Status- Disagreement regarding student’s academic status (financial aid award, probation, suspension, removal or denial of entry to selective admissions program);
- Discrimination- Unfair treatment based on ability/disability, age, class, economic status, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, visas status, gender identity and expression, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political beliefs, height, weight, and veteran status; For assistance, please contact the Executive Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging or call 410-386-8189
- Grade Dispute/Appeal- Dispute regarding a final course grade and/or grade on an exam, written assignment or other assessment. Students must follow the Final Grade Challenge policy prior to submitting a complaint form for a final course grade dispute. This policy can be found in the college catalog under Academic Information - Grading;
- Inconsistent or incorrect application of college policies- Actions by an employee has adversely affected student, e.g. failure to provide or follow DSS accommodations, not following syllabus, or not adhering to the College catalog;
- Retaliation- Unfair treatment due to complaint or feedback;
- Unethical or unprofessional behavior- Actions by an employee, including lack of timely response, demeaning, bullying or abusive language; and
- Violation of student rights- e.g. freedom of expression or right to assemble, as published in the Carroll Community College catalog.
Procedures
Step 1:
The complaint process starts informally, and you must speak with the person involved to determine if a resolution is possible. A face-to-face or virtual meeting can be arranged through office hours (or student hour) for a faculty dispute or through an appointment with any other College employee. (How to Have a Difficult Conversation video and article.) If this meeting, for any reason is not feasible, please move to Step 2.
Step 2:
If resolution is not reached at Step 1, the student should complete the Complaint Form within 2 weeks of the attempted informal resolution.
*If you need assistance with this form or with the process, please contact the Dean of Student Affairs at StudentAffairs@carrollcc.edu or call 410-386-8191.
Step 3:
Once the student submits the form, a member of the college administration will set up a meeting with the student to outline the complaint process, identify the respondent’s supervisor, provide contact information, and specify next steps. The student will contact the supervisor to set up a meeting. The student can expect to hear from the supervisor within 5 business days from initial contact. If assistance in setting up the meeting is needed, the administrator will help the student contact the supervisor.
Step 4: If a resolution is not reached, the immediate supervisor’s supervisor will hear the complaint. The decision of this supervisor is final and may not be appealed under any other College policy.
Complaints about the College
Complaints to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) may be filed at https://mhec.maryland.gov/institutions_training/Documents/acadaff/a1-MHEC%20Complaint%20Process%20%208-9-2018.pdf
Complaints may be filed with our accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education: https://www.msche.org/complaints/
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