Student Complaints at Centralia College
Occasionally, students may have a complaint about a faculty member, librarian, advisor, counselor, instructional program, or another student. Use this process to have your complaint heard.
Important Note: If your complaint is about sexual harassment or illegal discrimination, there is a process that is different from this one. To get information about the discrimination/sexual harassment complaint process, contact the Human Resources Office, the Advising/Counseling Center, or any administrative office.
Important Considerations
- Teaching and learning are complex processes. The expectations for each may not always be communicated clearly or understood completely.
- Most people try to do the best job they can. Assume people have the best intentions.
- It is natural for people to have different ideas, opinions, or expectations.
- Most differences are resolved by in-person communications that are courteous and respectful.
- Think about what would be a reasonable solution for all parties.
- If you have questions about this process, talk to someone like a counselor, advisor or other faculty or staff members.
- Most differences are resolvable at Step 1.
- Be open to alternate solutions.
Concerns About Faculty Members (Teachers)
If you have a concern or complaint about a faculty member or an instructional program, use this process.
Talk directly to the faculty member involved. If this is hard for you, you may bring someone with you. Make an appointment, and if you are bringing someone with you, let the faculty member know this.
In the unlikely event that your meeting does not solve your concern, submit a formal complaint online.
In the online complaint form, you will be asked to describe the situation, provide dates and times, give examples, and provide documents. The administrator that receives your letter will send a copy of your complaint to the faculty member.
The administrator will send you and the faculty member a written response within 15 contract days after receiving your letter. (The administrator may request to meet with you, first.)
If you wish to appeal the decision of the first administrator, you have five contract days after you receive your written response. Write a formal letter of appeal to the appropriate vice president. For all instructors regardless of area and library faculty members, the appeal letter will go to the Vice President of Instruction. For counselors, the appeal letter will go the Vice President of Student Services. Include all the materials you sent and received in Step 2.
Include all the materials you sent and received in Step 2. The vice president will send you and the faculty member a written response within 15 contract days after receiving your letter.
If you wish to appeal the decisions of the vice president, you have five contract days after you receive your written response. Write a formal letter of appeal to the president. Include all the materials you sent and received in Step 3. The president will send you and the faculty member a written response within 15 contract days after receiving your letter. The decision of the president is final.
Concerns About Staff & Adminstrators
If you have a concern or complaint about a staff member or a college program, use this process.
Talk directly to the staff member involved. If this is hard for you, you may bring someone with you. Make an appointment, and if you are bringing someone with you, let the staff member know this.
In the unlikely event that your meeting does not solve your concern, submit a formal complaint online.
In the online complaint form, you will be asked to describe the situation, provide dates and times, give examples, and provide documents. The administrator that receives your letter will send a copy of your complaint to the staff member.
The administrator will send you and the staff member a written response within 15 contract days after receiving your letter. (The administrator may request to meet with you, first.)
If you wish to appeal the decision of the first administrator, you have five business days after youreceive your written response.
Write a formal letter of appeal to the appropriate vice president. Include all the materials you sent and received in Step 2. The vice president will send you and the staff member a written response within 15 businessdays after receiving your letter.
If you wish to appeal the decisions of the vice president, you have five business days after you receive your written response. Write a formal letter of appeal to the college president. Include all the materials you sent and received in Step 3. The president will send you and the staff member a written response within 15 businessdays after receiving your letter. The decision of the president is final.
Concerns About Other Students
Centralia College is invested in the safety and well-being of all students. In an effort to open the lines of communication across campus, the Vice President of Student Services (VPSS) Office has created this incident report form. If you were involved in a non-academic conduct incident, complete and submit this form either in person (TAC 210) or by email.