Academic Complaints

Occasionally, issues may arise which result in a student having an academic complaint. Examples of academic complaints include the calculation of a grade, course content, the classroom environment, instruction, faculty conduct, program dismissal, or attendance. Most academic matters are left to the discretion of the instructor, therefore, MTC encourages students to resolve academic complaints by discussing their concerns with the appropriate faculty member. This process is intended for classes taught by Academic Affairs (AA) and Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE).

Faculty Resolution Process:

Students should meet with the faculty member to discuss their concerns openly, without fear of reprisal. Students should request a meeting with the faculty member no more than 5 instructional weekdays from the date the issue occurred. Delays may result in no viable resolution to the dispute. We realize that some corporate and continuing education courses are shorter than 5 days. In this case, bring the concern to the faculty member within 24 hours of the date the issue occurred.

If there is no satisfactory resolution after discussing the issue with the instructor, or the type of complaint is such that it is not appropriate to discuss with the faculty member first, the student can initiate an academic complaint with the faculty’s supervisor (AA) or Program Director (CCE) or designee. Students should continue attending the class in question throughout this process unless they have been instructed not to by the department chair or program director.

Academic Complaint Process:

Students may initiate the academic complaint process by completing the Academic Complaint Form. Forms should be submitted within 10 instructional weekdays from the incident.

The department chair (AA) or Program Director (CCE) or designee will investigate the complaint and has 10 instructional weekdays to review the materials, meet with student and/or faculty as appropriate, and provide a decision. Additional time may be required to fully investigate or resolve the complaint in a satisfactory manner. If additional time is warranted, the student will be notified of the revised timeline. Following investigation of the complaint, the department chair (AA) or Program Director (CCE) or designee will provide a decision in writing.

Should an agreed-upon resolution not be reached at this level, the student may initiate an appeal.

Appeals:

If the student believes their complaint was unresolved, the appeal process may be used to challenge the decision. An appeal must be submitted within 5 instructional weekdays following the decision made in the complaint process.

If the student elects to pursue an appeal, they may initiate the process by completing the Academic Appeal Form. The form must be submitted within 5 instructional weekdays of the decision in the complaint process. The form requires supporting evidence that the original complaint was unjustly denied. 

Upon receiving the appeal, the dean (AA) or Vice Provost of Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) will have 10 instructional weekdays to investigate the complaint and respond. The investigation may include interviewing and taking statements, securing documents and evidence, and other actions which may be deemed necessary. Additional time may be required to fully investigate or resolve the appeal in a satisfactory manner. If additional time is warranted, the student will be notified of the revised timeline. Following investigation, the dean (AA) or Vice Provost of Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) will provide a final decision in writing. The decision of the Dean (AA) or Vice Provost of Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) or designee is final and cannot be appealed further.