Complaint & Appeal Policies

Contents

Southeastern University has instituted the following procedures for student complaints and adheres to these procedures. All students are free to submit written complaints and appeals. Appeals and complaints are dealt with fairly and judiciously on a case-by-case basis. Students have the right of complaint and appeal in the following instances:

ADA Appeals

Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services

Appeal Procedure
The Office of Academic and Auxiliary Services has adopted the following appeal and grievance
procedures for prompt and equitable resolution of disputes relating to disability accommodations or
the accessibility of academic programs.

Student Appeals of Accommodation Decisions
If a student disagrees with the decision of the Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services regarding a
request for an accommodation, the student may submit a request for reconsideration within thirty (30)
days of the decision. A request for reconsideration must be directed in writing to the Director of the
Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services. Requests for reconsideration should identify the specific
accommodation requested and denied, a statement regarding why the accommodation is reasonable
and necessary, relevant supporting documentation from a licensed medical or mental health
professional, or a 504 Plan or IEP from High School dated within 10 years.

Upon receipt of the request for reconsideration, the Director of the Office of Academic & Auxiliary
Services will undertake a thorough review of the student’s documentation and request for
accommodations. A follow-up meeting may be scheduled with the student to discuss the request in
more detail. The Director of the Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services may consult with other
university officials as a part of the decision-making process and may share information about the
student’s disability with these officials or committees on a limited, need-to-know basis. The Director of
the Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services will notify the student in writing of the decision within five
(5) working days of receipt of the request for reconsideration.

If a student is dissatisfied with the outcome of the request for reconsideration, the student may submit
a formal appeal to the Associate Provost, Anthony Roberts, at arroberts@seu.edu. Appeals must be
submitted within seven (7) working days of the reconsideration decision by the Director of the Office of
Academic & Auxiliary Services. The Associate Provost may request a follow-up meeting with the student
as a part of the decision-making process. The Associate Provost may consult with other university
officials or committees as a part of the decision-making process and may share information about the
student’s disability with these officials or committees only on a limited, need-to-know basis. The
Associate Provost will issue a written decision on the appeal within ten (10) working days.

If a student is dissatisfied with the outcome of the appeal to the Associate Provost, the student may
submit a formal second-level appeal to the Provost. Appeals to the Provost must be submitted by email
to Dr. Meghan Griffin at mlgriffin@seu.edu within seven (7) business days of receiving the decision from
the Associate Provost. The Provost or the Provost’s designee may request a follow-up meeting with the
student as a part of the decision-making process. The Provost or the Provost’s designee may consult
with other university officials or committees as a part of the decision-making process and may share
information about the student’s disability with these officials or committees only on a limited, need-to-
know basis. The Provost or the Provost’s designee will issue a written decision on the appeal within ten
(10) working days.

These appeal procedures do not prohibit students from requesting new or modified accommodations
based on a change in circumstances, such as new courses or activities, new medical conditions or
disabilities, or changes to existing medical conditions or disabilities. Requests for new or modified
accommodations should be submitted to the Office of Academic & Auxiliary services at
adaservices@seu.edu.

Grievance Procedure
Students with questions, concerns, or grievances relating to the implementation of an accommodation
or the accessibility of academic programs should contact the Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services at
adaservices@seu.edu. A staff member in the Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services will promptly
contact the student to discuss the concern. The Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services will work
collaboratively with the student and the academic program to informally resolve the concern.
If a student is still dissatisfied with the outcome of the informal resolution, the student may submit a
formal grievance to the Associate Provost, Anthony Roberts, at arroberts@seu.edu. The Associate
Provost will also coordinate with the appropriate Department Head and/or Dean’s Office to review the
grievance. The Associate Provost will issue a written decision on the grievance within ten (10) working
days.

If a student is dissatisfied with the outcome of the grievance resolution by the Associate Provost, the
student may submit a formal second-level grievance to the Provost. Grievances to the Provost must be
submitted by email to Dr. Meghan Griffin at mlgriffin@seu.edu. The Provost or the Provost’s designee
may request a follow-up meeting with the student as a part of the decision-making process. The Provost
or the Provost’s designee may consult with other university officials or committees as a part of the
decision-making process and may share information about the student’s disability with these officials or
committees only on a limited, need-to-know basis. The Provost or the Provost’s designee will issue a
written decision on the grievance within ten (10) working days.

Contact Information:

Office of Academic & Auxiliary Services                        Associate Provost
adaservices@seu.edu                                                       Anthony Roberts
863-667-5283                                                                      arroberts@seu.edu
                                                                                                863-667-5514

Director of Academic & Auxiliary Services                     Provost
Dr. Laura Brown                                                               Dr. Meghan Griffin
lcbrown@seu.edu                                                            mlgriffin@seu.edu
863-667-5041                                                                   863-667-5004

Adapted from Carnegie Mellon University Policy – lcb June/October 2021

Transfer Credit Appeals

Transfer students have the right to appeal transfer credit decisions made by the Office of the Registrar. The student must write a letter of appeal accompanied by any additional documentation requested by the Office of the Registrar. The appeal will be reviewed by the appropriate academic department chair/college dean with additional documentation and the student will be notified of the decision rendered.

Course Appeals

A student who has an unresolved issue in a course after communicating with the instructor is encouraged to appeal to the Chair or Dean of the discipline of the course. If the student is unable to meet with the Chair or Dean, he/she may meet with the Registrar to receive assistance in bringing a resolution.

Advising/Registration/Degree Completion Appeals

A student who has an unresolved issue and has not received satisfactory answers from their assigned Faculty Academic Advisor related to degree completion, transfer of credit, advising questions, or non-response, may appeal to the Director of Academic Advising. A meeting appointment will be set up promptly to consider the student’s unresolved issues, with the goal of successful degree completion. If the issue is still unresolved following the meeting with the Director of Academic Advising, the student may appeal to the Provost for a resolution.

Academic Suspension Appeals

A student may appeal an academic suspension if there are valid extenuating circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance. The student must submit a complete academic suspension appeal with supporting documentation addressed to the Academic Condition Committee by the deadline provided in the notice of suspension. If the appeal is granted, the student will be permitted to continue enrollment without a period of suspension, thereby continuing enrollment on academic probation. The student must agree to a set of conditions that must be met until the student has successfully raised the cumulative G.P.A. to the minimum of 2.0. If the student fails to meet one or more of the conditions, an academic suspension dismissal notice will be issued.

Course Registration Appeals

Course drops after a semester drop/add deadline are not permitted without a written appeal from the student to the Office of the Registrar. The appeal must contain reasons that justify such an exception to the deadline. Students may submit a course drop appeal in JICS.  The outcome of a student appeal request will be based on the student’s financial aid awarded, the point in time during the semester, and other contributing factors. A class that has been attempted cannot be dropped without an approved written appeal after the add/drop deadline.

Late Registration Appeals

Late registration after the add/drop deadline is permitted only by the permission of the Registrar and requires a written appeal.  Students may submit a late registration appeal in JICS.

Grades and Quality Point Appeals

Students who wish to appeal a grade must do so within the immediate succeeding semester. Otherwise, the recorded grade is permanent. Appeals begin with the instructor, then the Department Chair over the course, then the Dean over the course, if necessary.

Financial Complaints & Appeals

Financial problems, questions and issues regarding student accounts should be addressed to the Student Financial Services. Student complaints and appeals will be addressed promptly. Requests for problem resolution must  be submitted in writing.

Non-Academic Student Complaint/Appeal Process

Students with a complaint or problem concerning student life that is non-academic in nature should go to the Resident Director or the Office of Student Development. Financial problems, questions and issues regarding student accounts should be addressed in Student Financial Services. Residential concerns should be directed to the Housing Department. Student complaints and appeals will be addressed promptly. Requests for problem resolution may be submitted in writing. Students are welcome to visit the Retention Coordinator to get help with solving issues, including financial, residential, or academic when the student is unsure of where to go for a resolution.

Southeastern has a responsibility to respond quickly, equitably, and effectively when the university becomes aware of sexual misconduct and any other conduct that is motivated by sex, gender, or gender-expression that creates a hostile educational environment for Southeastern students. Southeastern is committed to prevention of all forms of sexual misconduct as well as the protection and rehabilitation of victims of such acts. Investigations of reported conduct must be impartial and reliable. Responses to reported conduct must adequately stop the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. Southeastern University is committed to upholding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681). The Statute is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex of students and employees of educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.

Title IX reads:

“No person in the United States, shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…”  Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX).

For Southeastern’s full Sexual Misconduct Policy, please see www.seu.edu/titleix

Bias Incident Reporting

Southeastern has a responsibility to respond quickly, equitably, and effectively when the university becomes aware of a bias incident and/or other conduct that creates a hostile educational environment for Southeastern students. Southeastern is committed to the prevention of all forms of misconduct as well as the protection and rehabilitation of victims of such acts. Investigations of reported conduct must be impartial and reliable. Responses to reported conduct must adequately stop the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The Bias Incident Response Team provides oversight of any Bias Incident policy and procedures.

The Bias Incident Response Team’s purpose is to help assess whether a behavior, event or action may be bias-related, to assist in ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures and protocols are applied, to help the University take a timely and comprehensive approach to addressing incidents, and to aid in communication with the University community about incident-related concerns.

This team consist of the following individuals as needed:

• Chief Diversity Officer
• Title IX Director
• Director of Community & Student Responsibility
• Vice President of Student Development

These procedures are for non-emergency incidents only.

For emergencies, including safety concerns for members of our community:

• Dial 911, then contact the Department of Campus Safety at (863-667-5190) or security@seu.edu, or call local police.

For health concerns:

• Contact the Student Health Center at (863.667.5180).

For gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault:

• Contact the Title IX office at (863.667.5236) or smpowell@seu.edu.

Student Disciplinary Appeal Process

Students have a right to appeal their disciplinary decisions: 

The terms under which a student can appeal a student conduct decision is under the following circumstances: 

1. New information forthcoming, that could alter the decision that was made. 

2. Gross violation of the Student Conduct Process 

3. Punishment is inconsistent with the university policy. 

A sanction decision that is made by their respective Resident Director will be reviewed by the Director of Student Conduct in conjunction with the Director of Residence Life. 

Any sanction decision(s) that are made by the Community & Student Responsibility Office will be reviewed by the Executive Director for Student Development.

The student must fill out an online form found on MySeu in order for their appeal to be processed correctly. This form must be submitted within (24) twenty-four hours of receiving notification of the final decision letter.  After the twenty-four hour window has passed, the decision will become final and is not subject to further review within the institution.

General Complaint Policy for Extension Site and Out of State Students 

Any general complaints and appeals, not outlined explicitly in the University’s Complaint & Appeal Policy should be directed to the Dean of Academic & Extension Operations, including concerns related to academic coursework and faculty, technology, and other aspects of the student experience. Please direct all such concerns to SiteSupport@seu.edu.

Out-of-state (i.e., non-Florida) distance education students who are not satisfied with the institution’s response should follow the steps outlined in the State-Specific Complaint Policies. Students enrolled in face-to-face courses at locations other than the main campus should refer to the state-specific complaint policies below. Out-of-state (i.e., non-Florida) distance education students must first follow the institution’s complaint procedure as outlined above. If the student is not satisfied with the response, the student may file a complaint with the Office of Articulation within the Florida Department of Education at 325 West Gaines Street, Room 701, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, Phone: 850-245-0427, Fax: 850-245-9010 or articulation@fldoe.org The complaint should include the following:

1. Name of Student (or Complainant)
2. Complainant Address
3. Phone Number
4. Name of Institution
5. Location of the Institution (City)
6. Dates of Attendance
7. A full description of the problem and any other documentation that will support your claim such as enrollment agreements, correspondence, etc.

Students who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process may appeal non-instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.

State-Specific Complaint Policies

Listed below are additional complaint policies for the SEU Network programs categorized by states.

Alabama

In Alabama, the Private School Licensure Division has the authority to investigate student complaints against licensed private postsecondary institutions.  Students are required to complete their institution’s grievance/complaint procedure prior to submitting a complaint to the Division.  If the institution’s resolution is not satisfactory, a student may then submit a complaint to the Division.

Complaints regarding Federal Student Aid should be addressed to the U.S. Department of Education.

The Private School Licensure complaint procedures are designed to address issues of non-compliance with Alabama Private School License rules and regulations. The procedures are not intended to be used in disputes or matters pertaining to a student’s admission to or graduation from an institution or academic issues including grades, academic sanctions, transferability of credits, and/or disciplinary/conduct matters unless the student can provide documentation that the institution did not follow its published policies and procedures.

The Private School Licensure Division will not accept a complaint which is anonymous or in which the student has retained legal counsel or begun legal action.

Students must submit a complaint to the Private School Licensure Division within one year of exhausting the grievance policy with the institution unless there are mitigating circumstances, which prevent the student from doing so.

PROCEDURES:

• The student must submit the complaint in writing using the following link: https://psl.asc.edu/External/Complaints.aspx or by using the complaint form in the quick link’s section.  The student complaint must contain a detailed description of the claim, including dates, times, and full names of all involved, as well as a timeline of action taken by both the student and the school to resolve the matter.
• The Division will contact the institution regarding the complaint within30 days of receipt.
• The institution will have 30 days to provide a written response that may or may not contain a resolution.
• A report or letter will be provided to the institution and student detailing corrective action, if any is necessary, or stating that the school has no violation of private school licensure policies or procedures if no violations are determined.
• If corrective action is needed the institution will have 30 days to comply or develop a plan to comply with the corrective action.
• If the institution does not comply with the corrective action the institution’s Private School License may be suspended or revoked.

Arizona

In accordance with state law, the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education is responsible for investigating student complaints against Educational institutions licensed by this Board. Pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code Rule R4-39-403, the complaint procedure is stated as follows: If the student complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the Institution’s grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details.  The State Board address is: 1740 West Adams, Suite 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Phone: 602/542-5709. Website: ppse.az.gov/complaint

California

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution at any time with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling 1 (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet Web site, www.bppe.ca.gov. For more information go to the Bureau website.

Hawaii

Students can file complaints with the Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program, after all other resources have been exhausted. For more information on how to file a complaint go to the state website.

Illinois

Students who wish to file a complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education may go to the state website or Institutional Complaint Hotline: (217) 557-7359

Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1377
Phone: (217) 782-2551
Fax: (217) 782-8548
TTY:  (888) 261-2881

Kentucky

• Name of student (or complainant)

• Complainant address

• Email address

• Phone number

• Name of institution

• Location of institution (city)

• Dates of attendance

• A full description of the problem, any relevant documentation that will support the complaint such as correspondence, and the desired outcome.

Mailing Address: Institutional Complaints Council on Postsecondary Education, 1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Board of Regents will refer student complaints to the appropriate entity. Louisiana Board of Regents telephone (225) 342-4253. If the complaint pertains to potential violations of consumer protection, Board of Regents staff will direct the complainant to: Consumer Protection Division, (800) 351-4889. If the complaint discerns discrimination, the Board of Regents will refer the complainant to: Office for Civil Rights, Dallas office, U.S. DOE, (214)661-9600 or via email to: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov

Maryland

Students who wish to file a complaint with the Maryland Higher Education Commission may go to the state website.

Minnesota

Students should first file their complaints at the institution where they are enrolled. If after following proper policy and procedures for appeals, the complaint has not been resolved, then contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108, telephone: 651-259-3975 or 1-800-657-3866 or secure fax 651-797-1664, email: betsy.talbot@state.mn.us.  Website: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us

Mississippi

For more information on how to file complaints with the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning go to the state website.

Nevada

More information, including complaint forms, is available at the state website. Or contact: Commission on Postsecondary Education, 2800 E. St. Louis Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89104, (PH) 702-486-7330.

North Carolina

If students are unable to resolve a complaint through the institution’s grievance procedures, they can review the Student Complaint Policy (PDF) and submit their complaint using the online complaint form at https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form or to the following mailing address:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 962-4550

If you have questions about this process, you may email Studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu.

To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit the State Attorney General’s web page. North Carolina residents may call (877) 566-7226. If you live outside of North Carolina, please call (919) 716-6000.

If you choose to mail a complaint, please use the following address:

Consumer Protection
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001

Oklahoma

For information on how to file a complaint with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, go to the state website.

South Carolina

Mail form to:

Student Complaint, Academic Affairs
SC Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201

or email to: submitcomplaint@che.sc.gov.

Tennessee

Students should first file their complaints at the institution where they are enrolled. If the complaint has not been resolved by the institution, any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by this institution that may be a violation of the Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 or Rule Chapter 1520-01-02 may file a complaint with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), Division of Postsecondary State Authorization (DPSA). 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 9^th Floor, Nashville, TN 37234-1102; telephone: 615-253-8857 or email: Julie.Woodruff@tn.gov

Texas

To file a complaint, follow the complaint procedures in the school’s catalog. If the issue is not resolved, contact either the Texas Workforce Commission’s Career School or the school’s accrediting agency. Unresolved grievances can be directed to Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges, Room 226T, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, TX 78778, (512) 936-3100, http://www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/career-schools-colleges-resources.  If the school is not accredited by a recognized accreditor but has degree-granting authority, send a written complaint to the Coordinating Board at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Academic Affairs and Research, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711. For more information go to the state website.

Virginia

If a student is currently living in Virginia and is enrolled in the extension site program, please be informed of the following complaint policies in addition to the Extension Site Complaint Policy: As a last resort, students may submit their complaint to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Students will not be subject to unfair action or treatment by any school official as a result of filing a complaint. Please contact SCHEV at (804) 371-2285 if you have any questions about the student complaint procedure.

Washington

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has the authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint.  Visit https://www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.