Student complaint Processes

What is a Academic Complaint (Not Related to Classroom Grading)

This is a complaint or concern related to Parkland faculty or courses that takes place in inside of the classroom environment. All complaints are documented for resolution and tracking purposes. Examples of Academic Complaints:

• My faculty does not respond to me in a timely manner. 
• My class does not follow the syllabus.
• My faculty yells at the class every day.

Student Complaint Informal Procedure Regarding Academic Matters 

1. Concerns should be first discussed with the faculty member.

2. If the student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s response or explanation, or if the student does not feel comfortable speaking with the faculty member, the student should complete the Assistance Request Form and/or meet with the department chair within twenty (20) school days after the occurrence that gave rise to the complaint. 

3. The department chair or designated equivalent should hear the student’s concern and resolve it if it is a procedural or technical matter. If it is a personal or faculty member conflict matter, the chair should hear it out and then: 

a. recommend that the student discuss it with the faculty member, if appropriate and not already discussed,

b. discuss the matter with the faculty member 

(i) with the student present, if student so desires, 

(ii) without the student present, if student so desires, or 

(iii) after the semester grades are submitted, if the student fears that his or her grade may be jeopardized (this session may or may not include the student). Please be advised that waiting after the semester grades have been submitted may eliminate you from being able to engage in the formal student grievance process. 

4. If the student is not satisfied with the department chair’s response or explanation, the student should see the division dean, who will review the complaint with the student and ask if the student has discussed the matter with the faculty member and department chair, if appropriate. The division dean will resolve the matter if it is a procedural or technical matter. If the matter is personal or a faculty member conflict, the division dean will discuss the matter with the faculty member and/or the department chair, as the student desires. 

5. If the student is still not satisfied with the response, the student should follow the student grievance procedures (listed below). The student should note that utilizing the grade appeal process precludes the student from using the student grievance hearing process (and vice versa) for the same occurrence.

Students, faculty, and department chairs must know that any student complaint will be discussed with the faculty member and chair either at the time of the complaint or at the end of the term as the situation dictates. 

What is considered a General Complaint?

This is a complaint or concern with Parkland staff or college-related issues that take place outside of the classroom environment. All complaints are documented for resolution and tracking purposes.

Examples of General Complaints:

• A student feels the front desk person (in any department) was rude to them.
• A student feels that the Financial Aid department didn’t help them complete their financial aid process.
• A student feels they were misadvised by their program/assigned academic advisor.
• A student feels that the bookstore didn’t process their book order fast enough.

Steps for submitting a non-academic complaint

Students can complete the Assistance Request Form detailing the incident that led to filing it. This form should be completed no later than twenty (20) school days after the occurrence that gave rise to the complaint. They can upload any documents, emails, or text messages relevant to the situation. The student should include the name of the employee(s) at the center of their complaint.  

The student will be asked where, when and what happened in the incident. The form will be given to the department supervisor for their attention. After interaction with the involved staff member, the student will be provided a written resolution by the appropriate college official.

Please refer to Grade Review/Appeal section of the Student Handbook for details on grade-based complaints. 

While it is possible to start the complaint process utilizing the Student Grievance Formal Process Form, in most cases, the student grievance process is the formal culmination of other complaint processes within the College. The non-grade academic complaint and non-academic complaint processes listed above utilize the student grievance process as the final steps.

For discrimination or other civil rights complaints please see the Civil Rights Protections webpage. 

Please see the above sections, Academic Complaint (Not Related to Classroom Grading) and General Complaint for more information. 

1. Within 30 school days after the date of the incident that is being grieved, the student must initiate the formal student grievance process by submitting the Student Grievance Formal Process Form. 

2. The student must meet with the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) within 5 school days after submitting the Student Grievance Formal Process Form to discuss the procedure for filing a formal grievance and to review the submitted Student Grievance Formal Process Form  before that form is accepted by the VPSS. 

3. Once this meeting occurs, any revisions needed to the grievance form must be completed within 5 school days of the meeting with the VPSS. The VPSS will then accept the submission of the form and assign the grievance case to the employee being grieved and their supervisor within 3 school days of acceptance. 

4. The grieved employee will respond in writing within 5 school days of being notified of the grievance case and will copy their supervisor and the VPSS on the response. 

5. The student, if not satisfied by the reply, or does not receive a reply within 5 school days, may then appeal to have hearing in front of the Student Grievance Committee within 5 additional school days after the due date of the employee's reply. The request for a hearing is submitted to the VPSS by using this form. The grieved employee, their supervisor, and the Chair of the Student Grievance Committee will be notified by the VPSS of this request for a hearing. 

6. The Chair of the Student Grievance Committee will initiate a hearing within 30 school days from the submission of the hearing request. 

School days are defined as weekdays (Monday through Friday) when classes are in session during the Fall and Spring semesters. Items not resolved prior to the end of the spring semester or during summer semesters may be suspended until the first day of classes of the immediate subsequent fall semester.

Student conduct expectations along with the duties and responsibilities of the student are provided in the Student Code of Conduct.  All members of the campus community, including students, are responsible for protecting the learning environment of the college by holding each other accountable by reporting any student conduct concerns or potential violations. 

Please use the Conduct Incident Report to notify Parkland officials of an incident were involved in, are aware of, or that you witnessed. Please include all relevant information, including witnesses to the incident, and upload any pictures, documents, texts, or emails that are part of the situation.

Contact us at deanofstudents@parkland.edu if you have questions about it.

Student conduct processes are explained in detail in the Student Code of Conduct. Please see Article V, Judicial Policies, of the Student  Code of Conduct for more information.

The Parkland College Police Department responds to a variety of calls and has many contacts with students, staff, faculty, visitors, and others. The Department values your feedback and will address citizen complaints about the Department or its members.

This form allows anyone the ability to submit their concerns of misconduct. Our goal is to never have a submission as we strive to serve our community to the best of our ability. However, if acts of wrongdoing are discovered, they will be addressed.