In registering concerns, Missouri State University-West Plains students must follow the policies and procedures that have been established within the unit about which the concern is being filed. Generally, these policies and procedures require that you begin by discussing the matter with the staff, faculty or department in which the issue originated.
WPO 5.07-2 Student Complaint/Grievance Policy and Procedures
MDHE Policy statement
The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) serves as a clearinghouse for postsecondary student complaints. The MDHE complaint policy contains information about the complaint process and includes instructions for how to file a formal complaint. Note that the policy provides that a student who wishes to file a complaint with the department must first exhaust all formal and informal avenues provided by the institution to resolve disputes.
Discrimination and Harassment
If members of the university community (e.g. faculty, staff or students) believe that their rights have been violated and wish further information, advice or assistance in filing a complaint, they should contact:
Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance
Missouri State University
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, Missouri 65897
Toll free: (417) 836-4252
On the West Plains Campus:
Business Office
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Liaison
Missouri State University
128 Garfield Ave
West Plains, Missouri 65775
Discrimination and Harassment Resources
Record of Student Complaints Policy
To comply with federal regulations and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools' policy, Missouri State University-West Plains has established a Record of Student Complaints policy. Complaints may be filed using the Student Complaint Form (PDF 36KB) - (You need a PDF reader similar to Adobe® Reader® to view and print this document). The University maintains records of the formal, written, signed student complaints addressed to and submitted to the offices of the Chief Executive Officer (Dr. Dennis Lancaster; 417-255-7900 or DennisLancaster@MissouriState.edu), the Chief Academic Officer (Dr. Michael Orf 417-255-7272 or MichaelOrf@MissouriState.edu) and the Chief Student Services Officer (Dr. Angela Totty; 417-255-7255 or AngelaTotty@MissouriState.edu). These confidential records are kept in the separate offices of these three officials. Information recorded on Student Complaint Logs includes the following:
- The date the complaint was first formally submitted to an appropriate officer;
- The nature of the complaint (e.g., dispute about a grade, allegation of sexual harassment, etc.);
- The steps taken by the institution to resolve the complaint;
- The institution’s final decision regarding the complaint, including referral to outside agencies;
- Any other external actions initiated by the student to resolve the complaint, if known to the institution (e.g., lawsuit, EEOC investigation, etc.).
Information maintained in the Student Complaint Logs is completely subject to the University's Policy Regarding Personally Identifiable Student Records. When requested by authorized persons, internal or external, logs will normally be provided in redacted form. A sample Student Complaint Log appears below:
Student Complaint Log
|
|||||
| Complaint Number |
Complaint Date |
Complaint Topic |
Action Taken by University |
Final Decision |
External Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In addition, the Missouri Department of Higher Education serves as a clearinghouse for postsecondary student complaints. The MDHE complaint policy may be found at http://dhewd.mo.gov/documents/POLICYONCOMPLAINTRESOLUTION-reviseddraft.pdf. This webpage contains information about the complaint process and includes instructions for how to file a formal complaint. Note that the policy provides that a student who wishes to file a complaint with the department must first exhaust all formal and informal avenues provided by the institution to resolve disputes.
Policy developed January 1998
Policy amended September 2011
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault Resources
Student Disability Accommodations
Students who have concerns about the manner in which faculty/staff have responded to accommodation requests should contact the disability service coordinator, Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center, T210, (417) 255-8062. University personnel will collaborate interactively with the student and faculty/staff in generating possible solutions.
Students who believe they have be discriminated against and/or have a complaint about the University's resource offices should contact the office for institutional equity and compliance, Carrington Hall 205, (417) 836-4252 (voice) or (417) 836-3257 (TTY) or on the West Plains campus:
- Carla Neff, Liasion for Title IX,
- Alyssa Collins, Liasion for Affirmative Action/Equity
Student Disability Accommodations Resources
Student Rights
Student Rights Resources
Health Issues
This process provides patients a way to file a complaint if they believe their protected health information has been improperly used or disclosed.
Grievance Assistance
Additional procedures are in place to continue to pursue a grievance, after exhausting the university grievance procedures above.
For students in Missouri:
You may file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
For online students outside the state of Missouri:
You may appeal to Missouri's State Authorized Reciprocal Agreement (SARA) portal agency.
If you are unsure about where to submit your concern, please fill out the Grievance Assistance Form. You will be informed about how to proceed with your grievance. Your concern will be received within 24 to 48 hour and referred to the appropriate office for resolution.