As part of the University, the CSD Program takes students’ concerns seriously.  The CSD Department follows academic conflict resolution procedures established by the University of Minnesota and adopted by the UMD Graduate School.  If all avenues of resolution have been exhausted at the University, students also may report concerns about the program to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). 

Comprehensive information about grievance processes is available through the University:

• UMD Graduate Student Handbook, section on Grievances outlines the UMD Graduate Schools policy and processes for addressing conflicts.

• Student Academic Complaint Resolution: This policy outlines the resolution process for complaints regarding the provision of education and academic services.

• Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution offers assistance with conflict resolution not related to employment issues.

•  UMD Student Rights addresses students’ rights on a variety of topics.

• Student Complaints and Grievances (OneStop) provides a list of contacts and resources for a variety of conflicts, including academic grievances.

If students have concerns regarding any aspect of their education program, there are steps they can take to address the issues. It is recommended that students take informal approaches to resolve the issue before moving to formal approaches.  If informal or direct resolution between the parties is unsuccessful or not appropriate, then there is formal recourse students have the right to take. 

Please refer to the University policy on Instructor and Student Responsibilities for clarification of expectations. (Note: This University policy is pending updates in summer 2024).

Informal Complaint Resolution Regarding Academic Courses

It is best to start at the lowest level of conflict resolution through informal measures by talking directly with the person or persons involved (e.g., student and course instructor). 

If the issue is not resolved with the instructor, address it with the department chair and the director of graduate studies as appropriate. If the department chair is the instructor, contact the CEHSP associate dean. 

Students also may seek assistance from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Formal Complaint Resolution Regarding Academic Courses

If informal measures do not effectively resolve the issue or are not appropriate, a student may make a formal complaint.  Formal complaints are addressed through processes outlined in the policy on Student Academic Complaint Resolution. Please refer to the policy for full instructions, 

In summary, students must file a written complaint with the CEHSP associate dean.  If the associate dean is not available, then the student will submit the written report directly to the CEHSP dean.  The written report is to include the following information:

• Identify the person making the complaint

• Identify the person(s) being accused

• Identify the incident

• Identify the rule/policy/established practice claimed to be violated

• Provide a brief statement of the remedy the student is seeking.

If the student is not satisfied with the decision from the CEHSP Dean’s Office, then they may appeal to the Graduate School Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs (AVCAA). The AVCAA will review the concern.  The decision of the AVCAA is final.

Informal Complaint Resolution Regarding Advising

It is best to start with informal measures by talking directly with the advisor.

If the issue is not resolved with the advisor, address it with the department chair and the director of graduate studies as appropriate. 

Formal Complaint Resolution Regarding Advising

If the issue is not resolved at the department level, students may bring their concerns to the Graduate School Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs (AVCAA).

Informal Complaint Resolution Regarding Course Assistantships

It is best to start with informal measures by talking directly with the course instructor.

If the issue is not resolved with the instructor, students then may address it with the department chair and the director of graduate studies as appropriate.  If the department chair is the instructor, contact the CEHSP associate dean. 

Students also may seek assistance from the Office for Conflict Resolution.

Formal Conflict Resolution Regarding Academic Courses

If informal measures to not effectively resolve the issue or are not appropriate, a student may make a formal complaint to the CEHSP associate dean.   

The CSD Program follows the the University of Minnesota Student Complaints and Grievances related to discrimination or harassment: 

"The Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office (EOT) serves as the impartial office that addresses concerns about discrimination or harassment based on a protected identity, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, retaliation related to such claims, and potential violations of the policy against nepotism. To report a complaint about the conduct of a faculty or staff member involving any of these forms of misconduct, or to report a complaint about student sexual misconduct, please contact the UMD Equal Opportunity Associate at chri2595@d.umn.edu or (218) 726-8809. To report a complaint about non-sexual student misconduct, please contact OSCCR at conduct@d.umn.edu, (218) 726-7255, or use OSCCR's online reporting form. Anonymous complaints related to any of these forms of misconduct may also be made by reporting through UReport and will be routed to the appropriate office."

If a student has exhausted University mechanisms for resolving a concern about the CSD Program, the student may choose to file a complaint through the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) by following the CAA Complaint Procedures.  Please refer to the CAA website for most current information on filing a complaint against a CSD program.