Focused Report

Federal Requirement 4.5

The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints. (Student complaints)

Off-Site Committee Finding

Evidence is presented that adequate procedures are in place for student appeals and addressing student complaints.  These are found in the RAM Student Handbook and both the graduate and undergraduate catalogs and the Distance Education Users Handbook.  No examples are provided to document that the institution follows those procedures when resolving student complaints and hearing appeals.

Albany State University's Response

Albany State University (ASU) follows its procedures and policies when resolving student complaints and hearing appeals. Specifically, details have been provided on the steps taken by the university to address students' complaints, hearings and resolution consistent with ASU's Students Complaint policies. Documents support adherence to policy from the filing of an incident report [1] , including a Witness Statement [2] signed Albany State University, a Department of Public Safety Rights Form [3] , an Albany State University Department of Housing and Residence Life, Incident Communication Report [2] a copy of ASU's Student Conduct Pre-hearing Conference Form [4] and a Student Rights Form [5] . Documentation continues for the same individual case with copies of correspondence from the student's parents [6] from the Vice President of Student Affairs to the student [7] , the student's parents [8] , and from The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the University System of Georgia and the parents of the student complainant regarding the resolution of the student complaint and hearing [9] .

Supporting Documentation

[1] Completed Albany State University Department of Public Safety Incident Report *

[2] Completed Witness Statement Form *

[3] Completed Albany State University Department of Public Safety Rights Form *

[4] Completed Albany State University's Student Conduct Pre-hearing Conference Form *

[5] Completed Albany State University Student Rights Form *

[6] Letter from Parents of Student Complainant to Albany State University Student Affairs *

[7] Letter from VP for Student Affairs to Student stating sanctions *

[8] Letter from VP for Student Affairs to parents of complainant *

[9] Letter from Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to parent of complainants *

* Hardcopy of these documents will be available upon request.