Step 1: Utilize SIUE Resources to File a Complaint
If the complaint involves grades, course work, registration, withdrawal, tuition, discipline action, personnel matters, interpersonal situations, financial aid, transcript, parking, or academic progress, any student enrolled in an SIUE course must first file an informal complaint directly with the party against whom he or she has a grievance as outlined in the Student Grievance Code. If an informal complaint has proven unsatisfactory, then a student may initiate a Formal Grievance as outlined in the Student Grievance Code.
If the complaint includes discrimination in the administration of its employment functions, admissions, educational programs or activities, on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity, marital status, civil union status, age, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or harassment, the procedure for Non-Discrimination and Non-Harassment Complaint and/or Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure should be followed as appropriate.
If the matter is criminal in nature, please contact the SIUE Police Department or Edwardsville Police Department . If it is an emergency dial 911.
If the complaint is related to student employment the procedures set forth in the Procedures Governing Student Employment Grievances and Appeals should be followed.
If the complaint is related to allegations of research and academic misconduct, consult Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research and Academic Misconduct.
Step 2: After Exhausting All of SIUE Complaint Procedures, External Agencies that May Receive Complaints
After exhausting all resources of the University Complaint Procedures as outlined above, if you are still unsatisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you may contact Illinois Department of Higher Education to register a complaint and/or you may contact the Higher Learning Commission to register a complaint. You can also go to our Accreditation page to learn more about the various departments and schools accredited by professional agencies and how to contact the appropriate agency to express your concerns.
If the complaint involves whether or not a program meets certification or licensure requirements, you must first exhaust the complaint process through SIUE. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of that process, you may file a complaint with the appropriate agency in the state in which you are physically present and/or the appropriate national agency. Additional Information
Step 3: Additional Options for On-line Students
If you are a distance education student (on-line), you must first exhaust the complaint process through SIUE as outlined above. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of that process and it is a non-instructional complaint, you may contact the Illinois SARA Portal Entity to file a complaint. The Illinois SARA Portal Entity has jurisdiction over any complaint filed by a student enrolled at SIUE; but you may also choose to consult with the SARA Portal Entity in the state in which you are physically present.
