Arkansas State University Mid-South is dedicated to ensuring students have appropriate options available in the event that a situation requires a formal complaint or grievance. The following selections from the college catalog outline the student complaint procedure and identify other sections of the catalog that describe each step of the process in detail. You can access the current version of the catalog by clicking here.
Academic Complaints
Students who disagree with instructors regarding grades earned for tests, assignments, or who have complaints about other course related issues while a course is in progress should discuss their concerns first with the instructor. Students who are dissatisfied with the instructor’s response should contact the Academic Affairs Office for a conference with the appropriate Associate Vice Chancellor. Students and instructors are encouraged to keep relevant documentation which can assist in the resolution of such disagreements. Students who disagree with final course grades should follow the Academic Appeals Policy found in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.
Non-Academic Complaints
Students who have complaints about other students, administrative office procedures or personnel, facilities or grounds, programs, or services, etc. should first discuss the issue with the appropriate department director. Students who are unsure whom to contact may ask Dr. Barbara C. Baxter Learning Success Center personnel or any college employee for assistance in finding the appropriate person.
Students who believe their complaints (other than final grade complaints) have not been appropriately addressed at the departmental level may file a written complaint with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or designee. Complaint forms are available in the Dr. Babara C. Baxter Learning Success Center. The Associate Vice Chancellor will investigate, mediate, and/or assist students in following the formal grievance procedure if necessary. Students with complaints about final course grades must follow the Academic Appeals process.
Contact Information
The following contact information can be used to reach the offices and individuals referenced in selections from the college catalog that appear above
Academic Affairs – (870) 733-8744
Barbara C. Baxter Learning Success Center – (870) 733-6766
Toll-Free Directory – (866) 733-6722
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.
Any student who remains unsatisfied after following the Complaint Resolution procedure above, including out-of-state students taking distance-learning courses through ASU Mid-South may file a formal complaint with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) at https://www.adhe.edu/students-parents/colleges-universites/student-grievance-form/.
For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards (http://www.nc-sara.org/content/sara-manual) have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.
For a list of SARA member States, please visit the NC-SARA website (http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions). Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective State of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.
