Student Grievance Policy
Beginning July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education regulations to improve the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) as amended (the Program Integrity Rule) took effect. The Program Integrity Rule requires, among other things, that each college or College authorized to offer postsecondary education in one or more states ensure access to a complaint (grievance) process that will permit student consumers to address the following:
- Alleged violations of state consumer protection laws that include, but are not limited to, fraud and false advertising;
- Alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and
- Complaints regarding the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
Central College, as an institution authorized to provide postsecondary education in the State of Iowa, is committed to full compliance with the Program Integrity Rule. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Central College seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner. Students have the right to file a grievance against Central College. Students may file a Grievance up to 90 calendar days from the date of the incident. Students may not file anonymously.
A Grievance alleges that the College or one of its agents has violated institutional policies, accreditor policies, federal or state laws, or any other agreements joined by Central College. Grounds for a Grievance include failures in the provision of a program of study or related academic or administrative service, or institutional policies that negatively affect the quality of a student’s learning opportunities. Grievances fall outside of standard College processes (e.g., grade dispute process, conduct appeals), as outlined in the Central College Academic Catalog, Student Policies, and the Faculty Policies, and require that students have already first exhausted established Central College processes and mechanisms to address their concern.
Grievance Resolution Process
Any student who believes they have been subject to unjust actions or denied of their rights is expected to make a reasonable effort to resolve the matter before seeking formal resolution. The student should request a meeting with the parties directly involved, describing the nature of the Grievance and a desirable resolution. Both parties are encouraged to try to find a reasonable and satisfactory resolution.
The following offices and resources at Central College are available to current and prospective students for the resolving of Grievances. These offices provide specific administrative means to address and resolve most, if not all, of the questions and concerns students may have.
- Registrar’s Office (academic concerns): 641.628.5442, registrar@central.edu
- Student Development (student development concerns): 641.628.5293 studentdevelopment@central.edu
- Business Services (financial/billing concerns): 641.628.5185, studentaccounts@central.edu
- Enrollment (admission concerns): 641.628.7616, admission@central.edu
- Financial Aid (financial aid concerns): 61.628.5336, finaid@central.edu
- Academic Affairs (all other concerns): 641.628.5233, centraldean@central.edu
If the parties involved in the Grievance are unable to find a satisfactory resolution and further action is deemed appropriate, students must follow the procedures outlined in the following process:
1. Students wishing to file a Grievance against Central College may do so by completing
a Student Grievance Form and speaking with one of the following designated personnel:
- Academic concerns: Registrar
- Student development concerns: Dean of Students
- Financial/billing concerns: Director of Student Accounts
- Enrollment/Financial Aid concerns: Dean of Enrollment Management
- All other concerns: Vice President for Academic Affairs or designate
Students’ confidentiality will be protected to the extent legally permitted; officials of the college may require access to students’ educational records in order to fully investigate the Grievance. Students who are initiating a Grievance against Central College must authorize release of information necessary to investigate the grievance.
2. The student will receive, generally within 10 business days, a written response from the designated personnel relevant to their Grievance, including a determination of whether the issue or incident constitutes a Grievance according to Central College’s policy and definition. If the submitted issue or incident does not constitute a Grievance according to Central College’s policy and definition, the student will be informed in writing, and the college process will be considered concluded.
3. If the submitted issue or incident submitted constitutes a Grievance according to Central College’s policy and definition, the designated personnel will meet with the student and any other relevant parties to discuss the issue or incident which led to the filing of the Grievance. Any meetings pertaining to the investigation of the Grievance will be conducted as quickly as possible and generally will be concluded within 10 business days of the determination of a Grievance.
4. The designated personnel, in consultation with the appropriate Vice President(s), will identify (an) appropriate resolution(s), generally within 10 business days of the close of the investigation. The designated personnel will inform the student in writing of the resolution(s). Decisions regarding resolutions are not subject to internal appeal.
5. The entire process will generally be concluded within 30 business days of the initial receipt of the Grievance.
6. Students have the right to obtain legal counsel.
Grievances Addressed to External Agencies
If a student believes that the college’s administrative procedures outlined above have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the Program Integrity Rule, they may pursue an external process. Students may file a Grievance against the college with relevant state and federal agencies including, but not limited to, the Higher Learning Commission, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, the Iowa Attorney General, and the Office of Civil Rights. Please note that many agencies require students to first exhaust their college’s grievance procedures before filing a Grievance with the agency.
We recommend that students refer to the individual agency’s policies to familiarize themselves with relevant requirements including filing deadlines and whether they must first pursue the college’s grievance process.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
Phone: 312.263.0456
Toll Free: 800.621.7440
Fax: 312.263.7462
The HLC of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is an independent body responsible for the accreditation of programs offered by Central College. Each year, the Commission receives a number of grievances about institutions from faculty, students, and other parties. The Commission has established a clear distinction between individual grievances and grievances that appear to involve broad institutional practices. Where a grievance does raise issues regarding the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Criteria of Accreditation, the Commission forwards the grievance to the institution and requests a formal response. Grievances may be filed with the Commission at the above link.
Iowa Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106
Phone: 515.281.5926
Toll Free: 888.777.4590
Email: consumer@iowa.gov
The State of Iowa protects its citizens against consumer fraud. You may file a written grievance online or download the file, print it, complete it and mail to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Toll-Free: 877.272.4456 (Information Service Center) https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/StudentComplaintForm
Iowa College Aid accepts concerns and grievances from any student attending an Iowa school, regardless of the student’s state of residency, and from an Iowa resident attending any school, regardless of its location. Iowa College Aid will review submitted forms and determine the appropriate course of action. Actions may include, but are not limited to: contacting the constituent, contacting the institution in question and/or referral to another agency. In all cases, the constituent will receive written response to his or her request and the request from will be retained for Iowa College Aid’s records
United States Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Regional Office #5 Office
500 West Madison St., Ste. 1475
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312.730.1560
Anyone who believes that an education institution that receives federal financial assistance has discriminated against someone on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age, may file a grievance.
Students may also file a grievance with their home state, or the state in which they are participating in a Central College program. See a list of links to state processes.
Non-Retaliation Statement
Retaliation, or attempts to retaliate, against any individual who files a complaint or Grievance is strictly prohibited, per college policy.