Academic Complaints

To maintain the integrity of the academic environment and to ensure the rights of students in such matters, HCC’s administrative policies and procedures provide a framework to resolve student complaints of an academic nature. An academic complaint is defined as an issue related to classroom instruction or a grade dispute. A student who has an academic complaint, including a specific academic complaint involving a faculty member, that remains unresolved through informal means, may enter into a formal process of problem resolution. The student academic complaint procedures and the appropriate form may be obtained from the division offices. A student who wants to initiate a formal academic complaint must submit an academic complaint form no later than the end of the seventh week of the next major term.

1. The student must begin the formal complaint process by scheduling an appointment with the instructor to discuss the problem. Many times misunderstandings can be resolved by honest, open dialogue.
2. If the student cannot resolve the problem during the meeting with the instructor, the student may contact the division office to schedule an appointment to see the appropriate division leader. Prior to scheduling the appointment, the student must submit the student academic complaint form, including a written description of the problem, the resolution the student is requesting, and the signature of the instructor to confirm that the initial required meeting has taken place. If the concern is not resolved at the division level, the student’s written complaint, the instructor’s written response, and the appropriate division leader's recommendation will be forwarded to the vice president of academic affairs. At this stage in the academic complaint process, the student has the right to meet with the vice president of academic affairs, but the student is not required to do so. A request for an appointment must be made within two weeks of the meeting with the division leader. If the student has not made a request for an appointment within two weeks, the student has waived the right to the meeting. If a request for an appointment has not been made within the two-week period, the vice president of academic affairs will make a judgment on the case.
3. The decision of the vice president of academic affairs is final. This decision will be communicated to the student in a formal correspondence, and the faculty member and division leader will be notified of the decision.