NON-ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCESSES

MCOM is committed to sustaining a respectful learning environment free of discrimination, harassment and retribution as provided by Federal and State Statutes and University System Regulations and Policies. The substance of a student grievance or complaint determines if referral to the appropriate responsible office is required for equitable and fair resolve.

Informal Non-Academic Grievance or Complaint is a non-written claim by a student alleging improper, unfair, or arbitrary treatment by a USF department administrator and/or faculty or staff member or an attempt to seek guidance on how to find the appropriate office or person to assist in informally resolving a complaint. Grievances should be directed to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. It is recommended that the student first attempt to address their complaint by discussing it with the person most directly involved with their complaint such as the course or clerkship director or other supervising faculty member. If the student chooses to contact the MCOM Office of Student Affairs, the student may be immediately directed to the appropriate USF office for intake and further review (e.g., USF Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities – SRRS; USF Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity – DIEO).

If the informal complaint is not resolved, the student may initiate a formal non-academic grievance as outlined below.

Formal Non-Academic Grievance or Complaint is a written claim raised by a student alleging improper, unfair, or arbitrary action by a USF department administrator and/or faculty or staff member involving the application of a specific provision of a USF regulation, policy or procedure. The process below outlines this Formal Non-Academic Grievance Process.

Formal Non-Academic Grievance Process

The student must first attempt to informally address his/her complaint by discussing it with the person most directly involved with their complaint. If the complaint is not resolved, the student is encouraged to report his/her concern to the supervising course or clerkship director or faculty supervisor most closely associated with the concern. If this is not a viable option or the issue is not resolved, the student should report the complaint to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, who may, depending on the type of grievance, immediately refer the student to the appropriate USF office for intake. The student has the option to directly file a written report or grievance with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Kira Zwygart. The form should be completed and emailed to her at kkz@usf.edu.

If the student does not consider the actions of the individual identified in his/her complaint in violation of published policies and/or the MCOM Office of Student Affairs or if any other USF office receiving the complaint determines that the submitted materials does not constitute a grievance, the Associate Dean will render no formal action and will facilitate student contact with informal referral resources that may provide further student assistance.