6.6 Student Complaint and Appeal Procedures

If a student complaint falls under a specific provision in the Manual of Policies and Procedures designed to address complaints of that nature, such as, but not limited to, sexual harassment and grade appeals, the student must file a complaint under the specific governing policy. 

Student Complaint Form PDF 

 6.6.01 Student Complaint Procedure

Students with complaints against the law school or any of its faculty members, administrators, or staff persons may file a written complaint on the "Student Complaint Form" with the Assistant Dean of Student Administration. If the complaint concerns the Assistant Dean of Student Administration, the complaint shall be filed with the Associate Dean. The Assistant Dean of Student Administration or Associate Dean shall forward the complaint, or direct the complaining student, to the appropriate person, committee, or office for response.

 6.6.02 Appeals to Dean from Decisions of Law School Directors or Assistant Deans

Decisions made by the Law School Directors or Assistant Deans involving students are final, except that decisions having a material adverse impact on students may be appealed, in writing, to the Law School Dean within 14 days of the notice of the decision being transmitted to the student. The Dean will issue his or her decision within 30 days of receiving the student's appeal. The review of the decision by the Dean is a limited appeal. The Dean will review the decision only to determine whether the Director or Assistant Dean abused his or her discretion and whether there was a material adverse impact on students. Example of decisions not having a material adverse impact includes, but are not limited to: parking fines, late fees, computer lab charges, and library fees. If the Law School Dean finds that the decision was an abuse of discretion, the Dean may, at the Dean’s discretion, remand the decision to the applicable Director or Assistant Dean for action consistent with the Dean’s determination, reverse or modify the decision, or make the appropriate referral of the matter to another appropriate law school or university office. The dean may confine the review to written materials submitted by the student and written materials submitted by the Director or Assistant Dean. The Dean may refer the appeal to the Associate Dean, who shall proceed consistent herewith. The determination by the Dean or Associate Dean hereunder is final, as to the decision in question.

Decisions regarding admissions to the Law School and financial aid are final and not appealable.
 

 6.6.03 Appeals to Dean from Academic Decisions of the Associate Dean

Academic decisions made by the Associate Dean involving students are final, except that decisions may be appealed, in writing, to the Law School Dean within 14 days of the notice of the decision being transmitted to the student. The Dean will issue his or her decision within 30 days of receiving the student's appeal.  The review of the decision by the Dean is a limited appeal. The Dean will review the decision only to determine whether the Associate Dean abused his discretion. If the Law School Dean finds that the Associate Dean abused his/her discretion, the Dean may, at the Dean’s discretion, remand the decision to the Associate Dean for action consistent with the Dean’s determination, reverse or modify the decision, or make the appropriate referral of the matter to another appropriate law school or university office. The Dean may confine the review to written materials submitted by the student and written materials submitted by the Associate Dean. The determination by the Dean hereunder is final, as to the academic decision in question.
 

 6.6.04 Appeals to Dean from Academic Decisions of the Graduate Council

Academic decisions made by the Graduate Council involving students are final, except that the decision may be appealed, in writing, to the Law School Dean within 14 days of the notice of the decision being transmitted to the student. The Dean will issue his or her decision within 30 days of receiving the student's appeal.  The review of the decision by the Dean is a limited appeal. The Dean will review the decision only to determine whether the Graduate Council violated its own procedures or another Law School or University policy and the student was prejudiced by such violation. If the Law School Dean finds that the decision of the Graduate Council violated its own procedures or another Law School or University policy and finds the student was prejudiced by such violation, the Dean may, at the Dean’s discretion, remand the decision to the Graduate Council for action consistent with the Dean’s determination, reverse or modify the decision, or make the appropriate referral of the matter to another appropriate law school or university office. The Dean may confine the review to written materials submitted by the student and written materials submitted by the Graduate Council.

A record of the complaint, and any appeal, will be kept on file with the Assistant Dean of Student Administration for three years.