This policy applies to all students enrolled at Mid Michigan College. It can be used by any student who has concerns about a course or instructor not covered by other college policies. This policy outlines the process for addressing concerns promptly, fairly, and constructively in order to achieve the highest level of quality of instruction. Complaints fall into two categories: (1) complaints about instructors, instructions, or policies where the student has identified a specific resolution, relief, or action; (2) complaints of an informational nature where the student is not seeking any action. In both cases, students are expected to first address their concerns with the instructor.
Filing an Instructor Concern
The academic complaint is initiated by selecting the Academic Complaint link on the Mid Cares webpage and providing the required information. The complaint must be initiated within one week of the student’s final informal attempt at resolving the issue with the instructor. Once the complaint is initiated, an investigator, usually the Academic Dean responsible for the course in question, will be assigned to the case. In the case of informational complaints where the student is not seeking a specific resolution, the investigator will complete the inquiry within 30 days of being assigned the complaint and forward the results of the investigation to the student, the instructor, and other parties the investigator believes should be kept informed. In cases where students are requesting specific relief, the investigator will adhere to the following process.
Informal Resolution
- When possible, the investigator will attempt to reach an informal resolution to the complaint by mediating communications between the involved parties. If both parties agree to the informal resolution, the process ends here. If an informal resolution is not reached within 30 days of the filing of the complaint, the investigator will inform the Provost, who will initiate the formal/administrative resolution process.
Formal/Administrative Resolution
- The Provost will investigate, or appoint an investigator, to interview the involved parties, examine any documentation provided by the parties, and interview any witnesses suggested by the parties. Using a preponderance of evidence standard, the Provost will make a determination within 30 days of the start of the formal resolution process, or if the facts are unclear, may refer the case to a faculty appeals committee. If no referral is made, the process ends here.
Appeals
- Within 14 days of the appeal referral, the Provost will appoint an Appeals Committee made up of at least three instructors. If possible, at least one instructor selected should be from the academic discipline in question, and at least one instructor should be from outside the discipline. The appeals committee will hold a hearing within 30 days of its formation, in which both the student and the instructor who assigned the grade will be allowed time to state their case. No one other than the student or the instructor may speak at this hearing, but written accounts from witnesses will be accepted if notarized or verified by the investigator assigned to the appeal. If the student or the instructor who assigned the grade is not available for a face-to-face hearing, technology such as Skype, Zoom, or a conference call may be used. At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee will consider the evidence presented to them and will vote to both accept the appeal and assign a new grade, or deny the appeal. The results of this decision will be reported in writing to the student, the instructor who assigned the grade, the affected Dean, and the Provost. The decision of the committee is final and may not be appealed further.