Complaints and Grievances
Columbia State Community College is committed to providing a quality educational experience for all students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all relevant services and programs offered by the College.
If a student feels that he/she has not received fair treatment, disputes a College policy or decision, or has a complaint regarding some situation or condition (financial aid, tuition, parking tickets, advisement, records, admissions, facilities, classroom concerns, student conduct, etc.) at the College, the student may file a complaint or grievance to have their concerns addressed.
COMPLAINTS
View the process for Complaint Resolution.
GRIEVANCES
View the Student Grievance Procedures.
COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO:
Debbie Long
Executive Director of Human Resources, Title VI and Title IX Officer
dlong15@columbiastate.edu
1665 Hampshire Pike – Pryor 107B
Columbia, TN 38401
931-540-2551
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ACCREDITATION OR VIOLATIONS OF STATE LAW
Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, or by going online and filling out the form electronically at https://www.tbr.edu/contacts/contact-tbr.
Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone: 404.679.4500 (www.sacscoc.org).
REPORTING DIVISIVE CONCEPTS AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION COMPLAINTS
A student or employee who believes that the institution or an employee has engaged in Prohibited Activity may file a complaint by submitting a complaint to the Tennessee Board of Regents at Divisive Concepts Violation Reporting | Tennessee Board of Regents (tbr.edu).
REPORTING FRAUD, WASTE OR ABUSE
Columbia State is committed to the responsible stewardship of resources. State law requires all public institutions of higher education to provide a means by which students, employees or others may report suspected or known improper of dishonest acts (T.C.A § 49-14-103(a)). Whether you are a part of departmental management, a faculty or staff member, a student, or interested citizen, we encourage you to report known or suspected fraud, waste, or abuse by employees, outside contractors or vendors. (T.C.A. § 8-50-116).
Several options are available for reporting.
Reporting Options
Columbia State Community College Internal Auditor
931.540.2755
Online
TBR System-Wide Internal Audit
(615) 366-4441
ReportFraud@tbr.edu
TBR Fraud Reporting
State of Tennessee Comptroller’s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse
1-800-232-5454
Tennessee Fraud Reporting
VA GI Bill® Feedback System
Veterans, Service members, and eligible dependents may report negative experiences with educational institutions through the online complaint system. The data entered into the system gives the federal government the information needed to identify and address unfair, deceptive, and misleading practices and ensure high quality academic and student support services are available. Click to access the Feedback System.
Attestation Statement
‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."
Complaint Resolution Policies
Columbia State Complaint Policies for Certain Distance Education Students
The below policies apply to students who are:- non-Tennessee residents in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) states and who are enrolled in a distance education program/course or
- attending an out-of-state learning placement in a SARA state other than Tennessee
The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations. For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3.
Additional Complaint Policies
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)
- Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
- Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.
- The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
- Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
- Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.
- Any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by an authorized postsecondary educational institution or its agent that is a violation of Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 or Rule Chapters 1540-01-02 or 1540-01-10, may file a complaint with THEC after exhausting the institution complaint process. More information is available at THEC Complaint Review Process, 312 Rosa Parks Ave., 9th Floor, Nashville, TN, 37243, (615) 741-3605. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.