The complaint procedure is designed to assist students who have perception of unfair and/or unlawful treatment. A student is defined as any person enrolled full or part-time in credit or non-credit courses at the University. A complaint of unfair and/or unlawful treatment formally charged by a student against a University employee, in regard to the application of University rules, policies, procedures, and regulations, should be resolved without initiating the formal procedure, if at all possible.

Occasionally however, students may wish to make a complaint about the services they receive. Please note that it is generally beneficial to the student to discuss the problem with University personnel prior to filing a formal complaint. University personnel are available to advise students. Students should not hesitate to contact a faculty member, counselor, or any other University staff person.

If a complaint is not resolved, or reasonable steps to resolve a complaint are not agreed upon then the student must, within seven (7) working days of a decision, take his or her complaint to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Specific procedures for filing a formal complaint are outlined in the Student Handbook. If the complaint pertains to sexual harassment, handicapped status, racial or ethnic harassment, or academic matters, the student should follow the procedures as outlined below under Academic Complaints.

Students who feel that they have been treated unjustly by a faculty member in any matter pertaining to their academic work shall appeal first to the faculty member. If necessary, an appeal in writing then shall be addressed to the chair of the department in which the faculty member teaches.

If after appealing to the faculty member and department chair, a student remains dissatisfied or believes suitable action has not taken place, the student may appeal the decision in writing to the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and then to the President of the University.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Complaints should be addressed to: the Title IX Coordinator who has been designated to coordinate Title IX compliance efforts and matters of sexual harassment. This officer is the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. A copy of the procedure for making complaints is set forth in the Student Handbook.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Complaints should be addressed to the Section 504 Coordinator who has been designated to coordinate Section 504 compliance efforts. This officer is the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. A copy of the procedure for making complaints is set forth in the Student Handbook.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. For the purposes of this procedure, racial or ethnic harassment is considered to occur when any individual is subjected to arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory treatment on the basis of race or ethnic origin. Any student in the University who believes that he or she has been harassed on account of race or ethnic origin by any member of the University community may bring a complaint through the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. A copy of the procedure for making complaints is set forth in the Student Handbook.

For All Complaints

The name, title, and office location of the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs is:

Dr. Scott D. Winnail

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

2301 Crown Centre Drive, Suite A

Charlotte, North Carolina 28227-7705

(704) 844-1966