Complaint Process Policy

Purpose: To outline Pittsburg State University’s procedures for addressing student grievances and complaints, while adhering to guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education Program Integrity Rule and the Kansas Board of Regents.

Applies to: All students of Pittsburg State University.

Policy:

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education Program Integrity Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 600.9, the Kansas Board of Regents has adopted a process to review and appropriately act on student complaints concerning the six state universities. The policy requires that each state university establish procedures to address student grievances and complaints.

Pittsburg State University Policy on Complaint Process

Pittsburg State University shall enforce explicit procedures to address student grievances and complaints alleging university activity, or a university employee act or omission, which is proscribed by Board or PSU policies.

The single point of contact to assist students in determining the appropriate university procedure for initiating a particular complaint or grievance at PSU is the Director of Institutional Equity.

Complaint Submission and Review Process

To address complaints for which there is no other applicable institutional procedure, the Chief Executive Officer of PSU has designated the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Karl Stumo, to receive and evaluate complaints alleging conduct by employees of the university that is proscribed by Board or PSU policies.

1. Complaint Submission

   • A written, formal, and signed complaint must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

2. Notification and Investigation

   • Upon receipt of the complaint, the Vice President shall notify the Chief Executive Officer of PSU and the employee(s) concerned.
   • The Vice President shall investigate the merits of the complaint.

3. Resolution Process

   • If the Vice President determines that the complaint has merit, they shall attempt to resolve it through administrative channels.
   • If resolution through administrative channels is not possible, the issue shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer of PSU, who shall appoint an appropriate institutional committee to hear the complaint.

4. Committee Review and Final Decision

   • The hearing committee shall forward its recommendation to the Chief Executive Officer of PSU for review.
   • The Chief Executive Officer shall accept, reject, or modify the recommendation of the hearing committee.

Additional Considerations

This procedure shall not negate any other policy relating to the processing of claims or charges of proscribed conduct which may be made by persons directly involved with or affected by the operation and management of the university.

If, after exhausting all available institutional grievance or complaint processes, a student's complaint remains unresolved, the student may submit a complaint to the Kansas Board of Regents by completing and submitting the required forms.

See: Kansas Board of Regents' State University Student Complaint Form