How to file Grievances and Appeals

St. Petersburg College values due process and fundamental fairness in its policies and procedures. Students may grieve or appeal certain determinations made and actions taken by the college according to the Board of Trustees Student Grievances and Appeals Procedure.  

WHAT IF I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT OR REPORT A CONCERN REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR DISCRIMINATION?

The Student Grievance and Appeals site is not intended to address student complaints or to report sexual harassment or discrimination. Students interested in submitting a complaint should visit the Student Complaint web page. Detailed information regarding reporting sexual harassment is available on the Sexual Harassment website. Detailed information regarding the college's policies on nondiscrimination is available on the Discrimination, Equal Access/Equal Opportunity (EA/EO) site.

WHAT IS A GRIEVANCE? WHAT IS AN APPEAL?

  • A grievance is an action where an individual alleges that his or her rights have been violated without rational basis or done in bad faith.
  • An appeal is a formal request asking for a change in a decision made.

The following constitutes the basis for a grievance or appeal:

NON-ACADEMIC MATTERS (SUBMITTED TO THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST'S OFFICE):

  1. College determination that the student has violated a college rule or procedure (according to Student Right to Know) or appeal for in-state tuition on third attempt
  2. College determination relating to the student's admission or re-admission to the college.
  3. College's withdrawal of a student from a course or a program for non-academic reasons.

ACADEMIC MATTERS (SUBMITTED TO THE DEAN'S OFFICE):

  1. Award of final grade (grade appeal) - Students may not appeal grading on individual assignments or exams. Only the final grade in a course may be appealed to the Dean. Student Grievances and Appeals Procedure 4.36 
  2. An academic honesty violation charge - Academic Honesty Procedure 4.461 
  3. Request to change course enrollment status from audit to credit

STEPS TO FILE A GRIEVANCE OR APPEAL:

  1. Before lodging a grievance or appeal, students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution with the employee in the department or course faculty directly responsible for the service or department of instruction. If there is a doubt as to the proper person to whom such grievances or appeals should be directed, the associate provost should be consulted for direction.
  2. If the matter is not resolved during the informal process, a student may file a formal grievance or appeal using the appropriate form below. When submitting a grievance or appeal, please provide as much information as possible.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT THE GRIEVANCE AND APPEAL FORM?

ACADEMIC APPEALS

  1. Are electronically submitted to and addressed by the Dean's Office, using this form, in writing via email or in person. Be sure to include all pertinent facts and dates to support the appeal as well as appropriate third party documentation (if required).
  2. The Dean's Office will verify that the informal resolution process has been followed.
  3. If the informal process has been followed, the campus Academic Appeals Committee will review the details of the appeal and render a decision in writing.
  4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Appeals Committee, he/she can appeal to the Dean.
  5. The written decision of the Dean is final.

NON-ACADEMIC APPEALS

  1. Are electronically submitted to and addressed by the Associate Provost's Office, using this form. Be sure to include appropriate third party documentation. Examples: doctor's letter with signature, military orders, etc. The form and supporting paper work may also be delivered in person.
  2. The Associate Provost will verify the informal resolution process has been followed.
  3. If the informal process has been followed, the Associate Provost will review the details of the appeal and render a decision in writing.
  4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Associate Provost, he/she can appeal to the Provost.
  5. The written decision of the Provost is final.

The academic and non-academic grievance and appeal processes have various timelines for filing and responding to grievances and appeals submitted. Detailed information regarding the Grievance and Appeal Procedure is available on the Board of Trustees website.

Student Rights

COMPLAINT FORM

APPEAL FORM