Student Rights and Responsibilities

Recording Student Complaints

Occasionally, a student will encounter a College-related problem that he or she does not know how to resolve. When this happens, the student should always try to work out the problem by first discussing it with those directly involved with the issue. If, however, an issue or problem still exists, there is a formal complaint process at Northeast Community College that students may initiate. All formal complaints must be put in writing using this Student Complaint Form. If the form is submitted without a student's name, the complaint will not be considered. All written complaints will be tracked to ensure action has been taken. In addition, outcomes of appeal processes are not subject to further consideration through this process.

Complaint: A written concern or formal charge of dissatisfaction with a person, service, or process that requires clarification, investigation, and resolution. This requires completion of the Student Complaint Form.

Exclusions: The Student Complaint Process does not apply to grade appeals or complaints regarding harassment or discrimination. See below for information regarding distance education student complaints and complaints involving harassment or discrimination. Please refer to our Grading process for grade appeals.

Instructions for initiating a formal complaint:

Step One: Attempt to resolve the issue by speaking directly with the individual(s) or office(s) involved.
Step Two: If unable to resolve the issue, complete and submit the Student Complaint Form.
Step Three: The Dean of Students will review the compliant form, follow up with the student, and record the resolution.

If a student feels the administrative response is not satisfactory, refer to the formal student grievance process outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Distance Education Student Complaints

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education conducted a Negotiated Rule Making Process in 2010, and institutions offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state.

It is recommended that students taking online classes at Northeast Community College first pursue their concerns locally. Students taking online classes at Northeast Community College who reside out-of-state should follow the instructions for initiating a formal complaint listed above.

Northeast Community College is required to have contact information on its web site for out-of-state students who want to file a complaint within their home state. We provide additional resources for filing student complaints that provides phone numbers, emails and/or other contact information for state education agencies.

Harassment and/or Discrimination

Concerns involving harassment or discrimination by a college staff member on the basis of gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, military veteran status, political affiliation, age, marital or family status, sexual orientation gender expression or identity, or disability should be directed to the College's compliance officer at: compliance@northeast.edu. If after following the College's procedure, the issue cannot be resolved internally and the student seeks additional resolution, students can refer to the additional resources for filing a complaint with the appropriate state agency or accrediting body.

Faculty and Staff Recording Student Complaints

If you are a student, please visit the Student Complaint Process for the instructions on submitting a formal complaint.

Faculty and staff are asked to encourage students to first discuss their concerns with those directly involved with the issue. If students have done this and not found resolution, encourage the student to submit a formal complaint following the Student Complaint Process.

Often students are unwilling to address their concerns or submit a formal complaint. In this case, when a student or parent shares a complaint with you instead of formally submitting the complaint, we ask you to submit the Recording Student Complaints Form. This can be done without noting the student's name. Unless deemed necessary, students will not be contacted regarding complaints submitted here. Complaints such as these are recorded and reviewed to allow us to recognize and improve challenges to the student experience at Northeast.

Please note for complaints regarding harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, military veteran status, political affiliation, age, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender expression, identity, or disability cannot be kept anonymous and need to be immediately directed to the College's compliance officer at compliance@northeast.edu.

Submit A Complaint