McNeese State University recognizes the value of information provided by students, employees, and others in assessing the institution’s performance. This policy serves to address significant violations of the institution’s policies and procedures in accordance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Principles of Accreditation Standard 12.4 regarding student complaints.
Any student who is unclear about which type of procedure would be most appropriate in a given case should feel free to discuss the following options with an advisor, a department head, an academic dean, or with the dean of student support and advocacy. This policy should be used to address any complaints outside of items #1-5 below involving special policies.
Students should first attempt to resolve their disputes with the individual, followed by the individual’s immediate supervisor. Students are responsible for being familiar with the Student Handbook, which includes the Code of Student Conduct and Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, as well as policies and regulations governing the University or specific University entities.
Complaints about significant violations of a McNeese policy or procedure must be submitted in writing by the complainant and addressed directly to the appropriate vice president at McNeese State University. The University will not consider a particular communication to be a serious complaint requiring a response under this policy unless it is in writing and signed by the complainant. The University will not act on anonymous complaints or complaints forwarded to the University.
Students may use this form to submit complaints: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?McNeeseState&layout_id=9.
In general, the University will acknowledge a written complaint within 20 business days or a reasonable period after its receipt by the appropriate vice president. Complaints should be addressed to the appropriate vice president responsible for the issue at hand (i.e., academic affairs, business affairs, or student affairs). Complaints sent directly to the president may be forwarded to the appropriate vice president for a response. Complaints directed in this way may take longer to resolve.
For a timely review by staff, the complainant is responsible for including the following in the written complaint:
Within 30 business days after acknowledging receipt of the complaint and under the direction of the appropriate vice president, University personnel will review the complaint and its documentation and determine whether it is within the scope of University policies and authority and if there is adequate documentation. The University will inform the complainant regarding the disposition of the complaint to include one of the following:
The response is submitted to the complainant and made available to the president. Records regarding student complaints are kept in the Office of Student Affairs.
Students residing outside Louisiana in a state that participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), and who are enrolled in McNeese courses via distance education, may appeal to the Louisiana Board of Regents if they are unable to resolve a complaint through McNeese’s Student Complaint Policy or believe the final resolution did not address all issues. Before submitting a Student Complaint Form to the Louisiana Board of Regents, students should review the Louisiana SARA Student Complaint Process. Additional information about the SARA student complaint process is available on the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) website.
This policy is distributed via the Academic Catalog and the University Policies webpage.