Policy 3.8.1
Chapter 3 - Educational Policies
3.8.1 Student Complaint and Grievances Procedure
Purpose: Students are provided an avenue to bring a complaint forward or to file a grievance to seek a remedy. Students should use the respective process and form to proceed with a Complaint or Grievance. Information submitted and gathered in a student complaint is subject to the Minnesota Data Government Practices Act.
Part 1: Processes
Student Complaint Process:
Students may bring complaints forward within 10 business days of the first occurrence of the event giving rise to the complaint. Prior to initiating a formal complaint, the college expects that a student has:
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Used available informal means to resolve concerns before filing a complaint and provide documentation of doing so.
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If the student does not receive a satisfactory resolution after directly engaging the staff or faculty member, a formal complaint can be submitted.
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A student should put their concerns in writing, identify the issue and its resolutions using the Student Complaint and Grievance form.
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On the form, the student shall state:
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The reason for the grievance.
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A factual summary of the grievance
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The policy or procedure application that is of concern
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- The requested remedy. After a student has submitted a complaint, a designated college staff member shall contact the student to discuss the complaint within 10 business days of that submission. The student may have an appropriate college employee attend the meeting.
- Within 10 business days of that discussion with the student, the designated College staff member shall provide a written decision. The communication will also inform the student of the grievance process if the student is not satisfied with the outcome.
Student Grievance Process: If a student determines that a complaint is not satisfactorily resolved and the complaint alleges improper, unfair, or arbitrary action by a college faculty or staff member involving the application of a specific provision of a college rule, regulation, board policy, or system procedure, the student may file a grievance. Information submitted and gathered in a student complaint is subject to the Minnesota Data Government Practices Act.
- Upon receipt of the written student complaint decision, the student grievance must be submitted within 10 business days, using the Student Complaint and Grievance form.
- On the form, the student shall state:
- State the justification for moving from a complaint to a grievance as well as submitting any additional documentation.
- A designated College official will review the Grievance, meet with the involved parties, and render a decision on the matter within 10 days of the submission. The written decision of the College Official will be shared with the student within 10 days of the meeting. The issue will be considered resolved by the college.
Part 2: Appeals to the Chancellor of Minnesota State
A student may appeal the college’s final decision to the Chancellor of the Minnesota State system of College and University if the grievance involves a board policy, system procedure, the actions of a college president, an issue of institutional or program quality, such as a college’s compliance with the standards of an accrediting or licensing agency, or a claim of consumer fraud or deceptive trade practice. The decision of the Chancellor is final and binding.
Part 3: Student Rights
No retaliation of any kind shall be taken against a student for participation in a complaint or grievance.
These procedures also shall protect student, faculty and staff data privacy rights.
This grievance procedure does not prohibit the student from filing a grievance with any of the appropriate federal, state or local departments of human rights, in addition to or instead of the college process. However, students are encouraged to use the formal procedure above.
Related Documents:
Policy 3.9 Academic Grade Appeal
Policy 3.8 Student Concerns, Complaints and Grievances
College Review
Adopted & Approved by: Terry Gaalswyk, President
Date: May 4, 2026