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Student Complaint Resolution

Student Complaint Process

The University of Saint Francis values feedback from its students and believes students should be able to discuss problems and express concerns to the university free from duress or retaliation. The university is committed to providing students with an avenue to express concerns and to work with university officials toward amicable resolutions.

Filing Complaints at Saint Francis

The process and subsequent actions after a complaint is submitted include the following steps:

Step 1: The student discusses the concern with the faculty or staff member whom the student believes has taken improper action.

Step 2: If resolution is not achieved, the student discusses the problem with the appropriate director or dean in an informal manner unless a formal university policy or procedure exists.

Step 3: The student is to follow any process for which a formal policy exists.

Formal Policies

Step 4: If no formal policy exists, and the informal communication does not adequately address a student’s concern, the student may contact the following Vice Presidents:

Step 5: The Vice President will review the concern with the appropriate area and will either respond personally to the student or direct the appropriate personnel to do so within ten days of receipt of a written complaint.

Note: Due to federal regulations, the university generally corresponds with students, not parents or guardians.

Filing Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct/Violence Complaints

Students who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct/violence on- or off-campus may file the complaint with the university Title IX Coordinator.

Contact the university Title IX Coordinator, Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, via:

  • Email: msalyer@sf.edu
  • Phone: 260-399-7700, ext. 6743
  • In-person: Trinity Hall, room 105

Students may also contact the university Director of Cougars HOPE, Chelsea Nabozny, via:

  • Email: cnabozny@sf.edu
  • Phone: 260-399-7700, ext. 6749
  • In-person: Trinity Hall, room 111

Additional information is available in the Saint Francis Student Handbook.

Filing Complaints Outside Saint Francis

On occasion, a student may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws. The laws include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising, the alleged violations of state laws or rules related to the licensure of postsecondary institutions, and complaints relating to the quality of education or other state regulatory requirements.

Contact information is provided below for students who wish to address their concerns to the appropriate agency.

National

The Office of Civil Rights has created an online complaint system designed to collect feedback on problems in institutions of education related to discrimination based upon a person’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, or ancestry; sex or gender; disability; or age. For information on filing a civil rights violation or discrimination complaint, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies have partnered to create an online complaint system designed to collect feedback on problems with institutions of education experienced by veterans, service members, and their families pursuing higher education through the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Military Tuition Assistance, and other education benefit programs. For information on filing a Department of Defense complaint, visit the DoD Postsecondary Education Complaint System.

State of Indiana

The University of Saint Francis is authorized by name in statute as an approved institution of higher education in the State of Indiana. Saint Francis students and prospective students with complaints may contact the Indiana Commission for Higher Education or visit their website for information regarding the complaint resolution process available from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Other States

Saint Francis students and prospective students who attend classes online and reside in SARA States may file a complaint with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Students residing in states not participating in SARA may contact their state of residence for information about complaint resolution processes.

The University of Saint Francis has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process. To learn more about SARA, please visit the SARA website .

NC-SARA Student Complaint Information is available on the NC-SARA website.  Students residing in states not participating in SARA may contact their state of residence for information about complaint resolution processes. The only state not currently participating in SARA is California.

Institutional Accreditor

The University of Saint Francis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1957. The Higher Learning Commission Complaint Process is available on the Higher Learning Commission website.

Academic Program Accreditation

To file complaints regarding specific academic programs at Saint Francis, contact the accrediting agencies:

Accreditation
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