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Complaints are defined as written statements by students that they have been treated in a manner that contravenes College policy concerning student rights. Mutual respect and communication are critical in resolving concerns. Informal candid discussion should always be the starting point in resolving disagreement.
Students are encouraged to address concerns themselves, seeking amiable resolution of disagreements, before turning to formal grievance procedures. In the event that informal resolution is not successful, students may file a formal grievance complaint or appeal. All of these complaint policies are available to students on campus, as well as to students online. The policies appear on the website or in documents published on the website.
In all cases, complaints are handled fairly and professionally. Records of complaints and corresponding resolutions are maintained in each responsible office and centrally with one exception through a password-protected College website specifically maintained for that purpose. By law Title IX grievances may only be maintained in the office of the Title IX Coordinator.
If a student is found responsible of some behavior through the Campus Judicial Board, Honor Court, or Administrative Settlement or Hearing, possible sanctions can include denying the student further membership in the College community and therefore the student is not entitled to hold or receive a degree from The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
In the event students exhaust all other means of achieving the resolution of a complaint internally, they may appeal to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). For complete information on how to make such an appeal, please visit SCHEV’s Student Complaint website. According to the website, “SCHEV will not investigate a complaint unless the student has exhausted all available grievance procedures outlined by the institution.”
Academic complaints are those grievances that originate from a student in which they believe they have been treated in a manner that contravenes College policy specifically in the academic environment. When classes are in regular session, the initial complaint should be made within 2 weeks of the incident of concern. In cases where the two-week limitation falls between semesters, grievances must be submitted no later than 4 weeks after the beginning of the next semester of regular enrollment.
Students who have a grievance regarding a faculty member are encouraged to attempt to resolve the matter through consultation with the faculty member. If this does not resolve the issue, the student may appeal to the faculty member’s immediate supervisor. For most faculty members, the immediate supervisor will be the Chair of the department in which the faculty member is appointed. In the event the issue is not resolved at this level the student may appeal, in writing, to the Provost.
Students who have a grievance specifically regarding a Department Chair may appeal, in writing, directly to the Provost. Students with concerns related to the Deans or other members of the Provost’s staff may appeal, in writing, directly to the Provost. Students with grievance specifically regarding the Provost may appeal, in writing, directly to the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee.
Students who have a grievance of an academic nature, not covered by the policies above, may file a written grievance with the Provost or the Provost’s designee. This may include concerns relating to any aspect of the academic experience. When classes are in regular session, the initial complaint should be made within 2 weeks of the incident of concern. In cases where the two-week limitation falls between semesters, grievances must be submitted no later than 4 weeks after the beginning of the next semester of regular enrollment.
In the event students exhaust all other means of achieving the resolution of a complaint internally, they may appeal to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). For complete information on how to make such an appeal, please visit the SCHEV website. According to the website, “SCHEV will not investigate a complaint unless the student has exhausted all available grievance procedures outlined by the institution.”
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The instructor has full responsibility for the assignment of final grades in their courses. The instructor must describe their grading procedure in the course syllabus and provide an explanation at the beginning of the course. If a student believes a grade has been assigned incorrectly, the student must first discuss the matter with the instructor. If this does not resolve the issue, the student may appeal to the Chair of the academic department in which the course is located. In the event the issue is not resolved at this level, the student may submit a formal academic appeal application to the Academic Appeals Committee via the MY.UVAWISE.EDU Student Portal. Appeal applications must be received prior to or within the initial four weeks of the next regular semester of enrollment after the grade in question has been assigned. The Academic Appeals Committee has the final authority regarding grade appeals. Grades become permanent and may not be changed after one calendar year from date of entry.
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Any student on Academic Suspension must appeal for reinstatement; reinstatement is not automatic. Students must submit an application for reinstatement to the Academic Appeals Committee and submit an application for readmission through the Office of Admission. Students must submit an academic appeal application through the MY.UVAWISE.EDU Student Portal. Students have the option, but are not required, to attend the appeal meeting and speak with the Committee in support of their application. The Academic Appeals Committee will make recommendations to the Dean of Student Success and Degree Completion. If appeal for reinstatement is unsuccessful, the student may appeal to the Provost, who makes the final decision regarding reinstatement to UVA Wise. Students reinstated to UVA Wise following Academic Suspension will be placed on Academic Probation until their cumulative GPA is equal to or greater than 2.00.
Students notified of their first academic suspension may apply to the Academic Appeals Committee for immediate reinstatement to UVA Wise for the next semester. Appeals must be heard before the start of the semester in which the suspension is enforced. The Academic Appeals Committee will make recommendations to the Dean of Student Success and Degree Completion. If appeal for reinstatement is unsuccessful, the student may appeal to the Provost, who makes the final decision regarding reinstatement to UVA Wise. If the appeal is granted, the student will be reinstated and allowed to enroll in classes at UVA Wise with the status of Academic Probation. Granting of immediate reinstatement does not absolve the first suspension, and the notation of “Academic Suspension” will remain attached to the transcript. Students are prohibited from immediate appeal of a second incurred Academic Suspension.
Note: Students are required to apply for readmission to the College through the Office of Admissions at the same time as they submit their application to the Academic Appeals Committee. Regardless of the appeal decision, students will not be able to re-enroll until they have been re-admitted.
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If students believe the contents of an educational record to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights, they may challenge them by submitting a written request to the custodian of the particular record. If the problem cannot be resolved through informal discussions, students have the right to a formal hearing. The complete text of this procedure is available under the FERPA link on the Registrar’s website. Students who submit such a request must do so while they are enrolled.
This procedure describes how students with disabilities may bring a complaint when they believe that their accommodations have not been “appropriate, reasonable, or effective.” There are two levels at which student concerns may be addressed. A student may arrange a meeting with Disability Services and explore possible solutions. If this meeting does not result in an acceptable solution, the student may file a written complaint with the ADA Resolution Committee within thirty days of the time the student knows of the “action that is the subject of the complaint,” and include the relief that is being requested.
All Other Academic Grievances
Students who have a grievance of an academic nature, not covered by the policies above, may file a written grievance with the Provost or the Provost’s designee. This may include concerns relating to any aspect of the academic experience. When classes are in regular session, the initial complaint should be made within 2 weeks of the incident of concern. In cases where the two-week limitation falls between semesters, grievances must be submitted no later than 4 weeks after the beginning of the next semester of regular enrollment.
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When a student has not met required minimum standards to keep financial aid, the student may request that the Financial Aid Committee grant an exception to those minimum standards. This is done by completing an online application. Along with the request, the student is required to submit the reason for the appeal and plans for meeting the minimum standards. More information is available in the Financial Aid section of this catalog.
The respect for others and the value of diverse opinions and viewpoints is critical in resolving concerns. Informal, candid discussion should always be a primary goal. As part of the educational process, students are encouraged to mediate concerns themselves leading to amiable resolution of disagreements.
If informal, candid discussion is not successful in resolving an issue, the student should follow this procedure: A student may submit a formal written grievance within 30 calendar days of the event or encounter in question. The written grievance must contain the following: the date of the alleged incident, a statement indicating the college policy, regulation, or rule which the student alleges has been violated and any individuals who are allegedly involved in the violation; a statement summarizing any action the student has taken to attempt to resolve the matter prior to filing the complaint and the results, if any.
The Dean of Students and Chief Housing Officer or his/her designee will review the written grievance and schedule a meeting with the student within 5 (five) business days. The Dean of Students and Chief Housing Officer or his/her designee will conduct an investigation if circumstances require additional information. The Dean of Students and Chief Housing Officer or his/her designee will issue a response, either through a scheduled meeting with the student or a written response, within seven (7) business days of the initial meeting with the student who filed the written grievance.
If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the student may appeal in writing to the Chancellor. For concerns related to the Dean of Students and Chief Housing Officer, consultation and written complaints should be directed to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. . For concerns related to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, consultation and written complaints should be directed to the Chancellor.
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Students are encouraged to mediate concerns themselves in the hope of an amiable resolution of disagreements. In the event that informal resolution is not successful, the student-athlete should follow this procedure:
- The student-athlete should discuss any grievance with the Head Coach. Situations may be handled without any further actions.
- If the decision is unsatisfactory, the student-athlete may submit a written appeal to the Director of Athletics.
- Upon a decision by the Director of Athletics, the student-athlete has 14 days from the decision to submit a written appeal to the Faculty Athletic Representative. The decision of the Faculty Athletic Representative is final.
UVA Wise (the “College”) is committed to maintaining an environment free from harassment and discrimination for everyone and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities.
Maintaining a respectful, professional and nondiscriminatory academic, living and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors is top priority for the College. This includes having an environment free from sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity and retaliation (“Prohibited Conduct”). The College will take prompt and equitable action to eliminate Prohibited Conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.
To report any Title IX concerns or for more information contact Tabitha Smith, Director of Compliance & Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Compliance & Inclusion at 276-328-0131.
The College’s full Sexual Misconduct Policy and grievance procedures are available online.
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