Filing a Student Complaint Against an Oregon Public
University
NOTE, January 2018: The
complaint process has changed; new guidelines will be posted in the near
future.
The first course of
action for students filing a complaint against an Oregon-based public
university listed in ORS 352.002
is to make a good faith effort to resolve the complaint directly with the
university involved. Documentation indicating this has been done must be must be
provided to Commission staff prior to beginning the complainant review process.
NOTE: For
students who have not exhausted the complaint process at the institutional
level, resources on the process are typically available on the institution’s
academic catalog, website or student handbook.
The Commission
investigates and resolves complaints against Oregon public universities related
to discrimination as defined by ORS 659.850, and retaliation as defined by ORS 659.852.
The Commission does not intervene in
student grade disputes at public universities, unless the student believes the
grade dispute has resulted in or is the result of discrimination or retaliation
against the student.
Oregon law prohibits any form of
retaliation against any student who submits a complaint against an Oregon-based
institution. This includes students who have not filed a formal complaint
through the Commission, and those filing a complaint directly with the
institution. If the student is fearful of retaliation, please contact Sean Pollack.
Please Note:
The Commission cannot investigate or
review an anonymous complaint.
The Commission cannot offer any legal
advice during the complaint investigation. Any information received shall not
be interpreted as legal advice or consultation.
The following agency intake process is used for review of student
complaints against Oregon public universities:
- Student will submit
an inquiry to Commission staff.
- If the institutional complaint process is not
exhausted, then the complaint is referred back to the institution.
- If the institutional
complaint process is exhausted, then Commission Staff asks student to submit
information pertaining to complaint and information release.
- The institution submits additional
information and suggests appropriate resolution.
- If resolution
acceptable, complaint STOPS HERE. If not resolved, process continues to next
step.
- HECC and institution
negotiate in good faith to resolve the complaint. If necessary, HECC or its
designee investigates the complaint, and may recommend mediation.
- HECC issues letter to student informing the student of the complaint
process outcome.