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Student Complaints

Concerns related to services provided and other issues happen at times on any campus. Clarion University wishes for students to learn skills needed to resolve conflicts or address other concerns in appropriate ways.

The staff of the Office of Student Conduct & Community Development is a resource to help assist students in determining where their complaint should be directed. Whenever possible, students should attempt to resolve the issue using the following process:

Step 1: The student should attempt to resolve the concern directly through an informal discussion with the employee within 30 days of the alleged incident or most recent occurrence. Students who have a grievance, complaint, or concern related to a particular class should first contact their faculty member to resolve the matter, in accordance with the procedures and policies outlined in Clarion University's undergraduate and graduate catalogs and Student Code of Conduct/Academic Code of Conduct.

Student may proceed to Step 2 if they feel uncomfortable communicating directly with the employee.

Step 2: If the complaint remains unresolved, the student should meet with the immediate supervisor of the employee in an attempt to resolve the matter. Students may have an advisor of their choice with them at this meeting, which may be held in person, via Zoom, or by telephone.

Students may contact the Office of Student Conduct & Community Development at 814 393 1918 for assistance in finding a person who may be able to accompany them to a meeting where the student will discuss their concern. The Office of Student Conduct & Community Development staff may ask the student to meet and discuss the concern to assist in the preparations for a meeting with the involved office, service, or individual.

Step 3: If the complaint remains unresolved, the complaint will be moved to the appropriate Dean, Director, or Vice President to further review the matter. Complete the Student Complaint Form for further resolution of this matter which was not addressed in steps one or two.

Step 4: PASSHE Student Complaint Process

Current, former, or prospective students who feel that their grievances, complaints or concerns cannot be resolved by Clarion University, can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (State System) by completing, in its entirety, the Student Complaint Form.

Information regarding the PASSHE Student Complaint Process can be found at: www.passhe.edu/studentcomplaints.

Step 5: Middle States Commission on Higher Education Complaint Process

Current, former, or prospective students who feel that their grievances, complaints or concerns cannot be resolved by Clarion University, or through the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (State System) can file a complaint with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, by completing, in its entirety, the Complaints and Third-Party Comments Form.

Information regarding the MSCHE Complaints and Third Party Comments process can be found at:
https://www.msche.org/complaints/.

Last Updated 10/16/20