SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE complies with non- discriminatory regulations under Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX. of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX Educational Amendment of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Inquiries concerning this policy may be directed to the ADA Coordinator ext. 5488. Grievance Procedure Forms are available in the President’s Office, at ext. 5352 and online at www.suscc.edu.
Complaint/Grievance Policy
Southern Union State Community College promotes the open exchange of ideas among all members of the Southern Union State Community College community, students, faculty, staff, and administration. An environment conducive to the open exchange of ideas is essential for intellectual growth and positive change. Southern Union State Community College recognizes that in order to efficiently and effectively carry out its mission, its employees and students must feel confident that any valid complaint or grievance an employee or student may make concerning the College will be promptly addressed by the appropriate authorities.
For purposes of this policy, a complaint shall mean a specific event, activity, or occurrence within the scope of the authority of the College’s administration or faculty about which an individual has a specific concern. (Faculty and Staff complaint procedures can be found in the Employee Handbook.)
Student Complaints:
- Complaint Related to Academic Matters. All complaints involving academic disputes must follow the college’s Academic Appeal Procedure within ten (10) business days of the occurrence.
- Complaint Related to Disability: Complaints related to a disability should be reported orally or in writing to the College ADA Coordinator within ten (10) business days of the occurrence of the event prompting the complaint.
- Complaint Related to Title IX: Complaints related to Title IX matters should be reported in writing to the Dean of Students within ten (10) business days of the event
- Other Types of Complaints. Complaints related to any matter other than academic or disability should be reported in writing to the Dean of Students within ten (10) business days of the event prompting the complaint.
Procedures for an Academic Appeal are available in the Academic Policies section of the Student Handbook and Catalog. Procedures for resolving complaints and grievances related to disability and other complaints have been adopted by the College and are available in the General Information section of the current Student Handbook and Catalog.
Grievance Appeal Forms
Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Appeal Process:
A student must exhaust his/her rights under the institution’s official complaint/grievance policy before advancing any complaint to the System Office of Alabama Community College System. If, after exhausting all available institutional processes, a student’s complaint remains unresolved, students may file consumer/student complaints with the Alabama Community College System by following procedures located on the ACCS Student Complaints website. Students may submit completed complaint forms by printing the form, signing it, and then either (1) scanning it and emailing it to complaints@accs.edu or (2) mailing it to:
Alabama Community College System
Attention: Division of Academic and Student Affairs
P.O. Box 302130
Montgomery, AL 36130-2130
Out-of-State Students taking Distance Education Courses
A student who resides in a state other than Alabama and is taking courses at Southern Union should follow the same complaint process as students who reside within the state of Alabama by first following the institution's complaint process. If, after exhausting all available institutional processes, a student’s complaint* remains unresolved, the student may appeal by following the guidelines for Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Appeal Process as well as the state's SARA complaint process posted on the SARA website Student Complaints | NC-SARA (nc-sara.org).
Alabama SARA State Portal Entity Contact
Ron Leonard
Director of Special Initiatives
334.242.2211
ron.leonard@ache.edu
State SARA Website
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
100 North Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
*Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be appealed to the SARA State Portal Entity. Complaints about fraud or criminal activity can go to any state Attorney General or the Office of Inspector General or complaint unit of the Department of Education.