Grievance Procedure for Academic Issues
Contact: VP for Academic Affairs/Provost/Dean of the Faculty, x2910
Students have the right to present a grievance free from interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal.
The following steps must be followed in the event of an academic grievance:
Student confers with instructor in an effort to resolve the disputed issue.
If the issue cannot be resolved at this level, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Department Chairperson/Program Director of the department in which the issue is being raised. If the instructor involved is the Chairperson/ Director, the matter may be directed to the appropriate Dean of Academic Administration. The grievance or dispute must be thoroughly documented in writing when being brought to the instructor’s supervisor.
If the Chairperson/Director or Dean is unable to resolve the matter, a written complaint may be presented to the Academic Standards Committee. The chairperson of the Academic Standards Committee will appoint a panel of three Committee members to investigate the grievance and make a recommendation within thirty days.
The recommendation will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee as a whole and then forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may accept the Academic Standards Committee recommendation or pursue the matter further with the parties involved. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is final.
Distance Education Post Appeal External Grievance Process
Students enrolled in the university’s distance education programs, prospective students or if the internal process did not result in a satisfactory outcome, students may file a complaint with their State and/or the university’s regional accrediting agency. The Student Grievance Contact Information for Individual States provides phone numbers, emails and/or links to state education agencies. Delaware Valley University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Please note that all agencies require that all internal complaint processes must be exhausted before contacting any external agencies. Students will receive a response from the appropriate agency according to the agency’s timelines.
Note: Delaware Valley University may be required to share information concerning complaints with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and/or other accrediting bodies; however, individual anonymity will be assured.