Student Academic Due Process

Purpose

Academic due process at Coppin State University ensures the protection of the rights of all students in academic matters. The objective of the academic due process is to provide a channel for students to air grievances. Contact the Division of Academic Affairs for information at (410) 951-3010.

Academic Grievance

A grievance is any legitimate complaint or dissatisfaction expressed by the student in connection with his or her academic studies. Such grievances could include disputes about evaluation of scholarship, suspension, or dismissal from an academic major or from the University for reasons that are not disciplinary in nature.

Initiating an Academic Grievance

The student who believes he or she has a legitimate complaint must initiate the grievance within fifteen (15) school days of learning the basis of the grievance.

Steps of the Process

1. Instructor
   The student who has a grievance will arrange a meeting with the instructor involved to resolve the matter.
2. Department Chairperson/Team Coordinator
   
   • If the student believes that his or her academic complaint has not been justly resolved, the student will arrange to meet with the department chairperson (or team coordinator in Nursing) within five (5) school days following his or her meeting with the instructor.
   • Following the meeting with the student or meeting with the instructor or both, the department chairperson/team coordinator will issue a decision on the grievance to all parties involved within ten (10) days.
3. Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs/Division Dean
   If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of his or her grievance matter at the departmental level, he or she can file a written appeal with supporting documentation to the Division Dean and the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs within five (5) school days following the notification of the decision of the departmental chairperson or team coordinator. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, in committee with the Dean of the specific division, will issue a decision on the appeal to all parties involved within ten (10) school days of receipt of the appeal.
4. President of the University
   If the student believes that his or her grievance was not satisfactorily resolved, the student may file an appeal, in writing, with the President of the University within five (5) school days following the notification of the decision of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs/Division Dean. The President shall approve or disapprove this decision within fifteen (15) days, and the decision of the President shall be final.