Student Complaint Form

Southwest is committed to a policy of fair treatment of its students in their relationships with fellow students, faculty, staff and administration. Students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of the matter directly with the faculty or individual(s) involved when possible. For matters where a resolution is not feasible, a student can submit a Student Complaint Form.

The Student Compliant Form is only used for non-financial matters. Complaints can be submitted immediately or within one year of the incident. A student can expect resolution of the complaint within thirty days.

Procedures

A student who believes their rights have been denied may seek resolution in the following manner:

• Step 1: Complete/submit a Student Complaint Form to Advising and Counseling.
• Step 2: Advising and Counseling will log in the complaint, send an e-mail to the student to acknowledge receipt, and forward the complaint to the appropriate administrator within five (5) business days of receipt of the complaint.
• Step 3: Upon receipt of the complaint, the appropriate administrator will review the complaint and determine what additional information is necessary to resolve the problem.
• Step 4: After considering the complaint and related information, the administrator makes a decision as to the merits of the student's complaint and notifies the student by e-mail as to the resolution within thirty (30) days of the filing of the complaint.

Form Submission

Note: The Student Complaint Form requires your Southwest Student Identification (ID) number. If you do not know this number please login to My.Southwest. Locate and select the Self-Service icon which is shown under the Quick Launch heading (left side of screen). Using the Search textbox, enter Student ID. Select the Southwest Student ID ~ Lookup link and view your Southwest Student ID number.

The Student Complaint Form can be obtained/submitted:

1. Online at https://apps.southwest.tn.edu/request/StuComplaint_Form_Login.aspx (opens in new window)
   1. All supporting documentation must be attached before completing the submission process.
2. Print and complete the Student Complaint Form (Adobe PDF, dated August 4, 2010 [NEW10216], requires Adobe Reader). Sign and return to Advising and Counseling. Remember to include all supporting documentation.
   1. E-mail to Nikita Ashford, director of advising and counseling, student activities and multicultural affairs at nlashford@southwest.tn.edu
   2. Fax to 901-333-4458
   3. Hand deliver to Advising and Counseling on the Macon Cove or Union Avenue Campus
3. The Student Complaint Form can be obtained from Advising and Counseling on the Macon Cove Campus, Farris Building, room 2140 or the Union Avenue Campus, M Building, room 110.

Appeal

Students who feel another review is necessary must respond by e-mail to the administrator's e-mail within five (5) business days, requesting the complaint be forwarded to a higher level administrator. The complaint and supporting documentation will be forwarded to an appropriate higher level administrator within five (5) business days. A higher level administrator will review the complaint and inform the student of a decision by e-mail within five (5) business days.