Online Complaint/Grievance Process

Current students enrolled at Florida A&M University who have a complaint/grievance about a course or experience must follow the University's complaint/grievance procedure as appropriate.    

Undergraduate and graduate academic, non-academic, and discrimination complaints should be routed through the proper channels found online in the respective colleges or schools, and in the Fang Student Handbook.  The student may also file a complaint with the University Ombuds who may serve as mediator to assist you in navigating resources for resolving any complaints or concerns you may have about how your FAMU academic program is administered.

 

Grievances

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The purpose of an academic grievance is to give students a fair review and an opportunity to be heard. Students are expected to follow the procedures established by the college, school and/or academic unit in which they are pursuing a course of study; however, academic grievances regarding a course grade must be filed with the college, school and/or academic unit in which the course is offered. Each college, school and/or academic unit within the University has internal procedures for addressing student grievances pertaining to academic matters. Academic grievance procedures are available in the Office of the Dean of the respective college or school, and in the office of the appropriate officer in charge of an academic unit.

It is the goal of Graduate Studies and Research to provide students with an expeditious, fair, equitable, and consistent procedure for resolving their grievances and non-academic complaints.  These grievance/non-academic complaint procedures are meant to guide the student through the process.  Students should make every effort to resolve the issues informally before filing a complaint or seeking redress beyond the Academic Unit in which the alleged offense has occurred.

  • The student shall submit his or her grievance package, in writing, within 30 days or 10 days into the next semester.  The grievance packet should be stamped by the graduate coordinator or academic dean of the college to indicate the date and time the grievance was initiated.
  • The grievance process can start or stop at any level.  However, the graduate coordinator should act as the facilitator.
  • If the professor and graduate coordinator cannot find a satisfactory solution, then the matter will be forwarded to the graduate committee or graduate faculty within the college.
  • The graduate committee, consisting of graduate faculty, will forward a report indicating its decision to the dean of the college.
  • If the dean is not able to resolve the matter, the issue is forwarded to the graduate council committee in an effort to resolve the issue..
  • The graduate council sub-committee should submit a report to the Graduate Studies and Research dean.
  • The Graduate Studies and Research dean will review all of the documents provided on the issue and make a decision.
  • If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Graduate Studies and Research dean, then the student may refer the matter to the provost for a decision. 
  • The provost shall review the student’s grievance and make the final decision.
  • A written recommendation is required at each step.
  • The student, professor, the graduate coordinator, the dean of the college and the Graduate Studies and Research dean should be provided with copies of the written recommendation at each step.


TIME FRAME :

It is imperative that graduate student academic grievances be handled in an expeditious manner from the initial filing date. 


GRIEVANCE FORMS

 

 

 

In the event the student feels the grievance was not managed properly by the institution, the student may submit his or her complaint to the following:

State Contacts

Florida Board of Governors
State University System
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
800-245-0466
https://www.flbog.edu/ 

 

FL-SARA Postsecondary Distance Education Council Complaint Process


Out-of-state Distance Education students, who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process, may appeal non-instructional (consumer protection) complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council.  For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.

 

 

Licensure Information

As a member of the national State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), Florida A&M University must notify out-of-state students in writing regarding the connection their program of study has to their local licensing and certification requirements. If appropriate, the University will notify the student by acknowledging one of the following three (3) options:

The University can confirm that at this time our program meets the educational eligibility criteria for licensure or certification in [insert specific licensure or certification] in the State of ___________ where you reside. At this time, additional eligibility criteria in your state include [insert additional eligibility criteria such as experience and exams]. You are welcome to contact [insert program director name and contact info or alternative contact] with questions in this regard so we may assist you in your career planning.

The University is unable to confirm the licensure and certification requirements of your state of residence. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. You are welcome to contact [insert program director name and contact info or alternative contact] with questions in this regard and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.

While licensure or certification may be available in your field of study, our program does not lead to such licensure or certification upon graduation. The professional preparation you receive in our program, however, may assist you in such pursuits. That said, we are unable to confirm the licensure and certification requirements of your state of residence. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. You are welcome to contact [insert program director name and contact info or alternative contact] with questions in this regard and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.