Complaints/Grievances and Appeals

Click here to submit a student complaint. Atlanta Metropolitan State College is committed to maintaining a student safe and customer friendly environment in which complaints are addressed in a prompt and fair manner. This AMSC Complaints and Appeals webpage provides a place to submit a formal, written complaints. The more information that you can provide, the better the College can serve you. All student complaints/grievances should be initiated by completing and submitting the Student Complaint Form.

AMSC Complaint/Grievance Policy

AMSC General Student Complaint/Grievance

Purpose

Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC) values feedback from its students and believes students should be able to discuss problems and express concerns to the College and free from duress or retaliation. AMSC is committed to providing students with an avenue to express complaints and to work with College officials toward amicable resolutions. AMSC believes engaging in this process can also be an inherently valuable educational experience for students and can help prepare students to address issues in a professional productive manner after they leave the College.

Scope

This policy applies to Atlanta Metropolitan State College students. This policy does not apply to complaints that are covered by other applicable AMSC policies, such as,

  • Complaints about sex assault, harassment and/or retaliation are handled in accordance with the AMSC Sexual Misconduct Policy (link below) and corresponding procedures.
  • Complaints about student misconduct in violation of AMSC Student Code of Conduct are handled in accordance with the AMSC Student Conduct Policy and corresponding procedures.

This policy does not displace and is not intended to supplant other policies and procedures applicable to the handling of a student's complaint. For example, a complaint about a grade should still be handled via the academic grade appeal process, a financial aid related complaint should still be addressed to the Financial Aid Office, etc.

General Complaint Procedures

  1. If an informal resolution of the student's complaint cannot be accomplished, or if the complaint is about the supervisor or responsible staff member for the area, the student should Click here to submit a student complaint. The student will required to complete the Student Complaint form, which request information such as the student's name, ID, contact information, details and a written account of the complaint, as well as a desired outcome.
  2. Upon receipt of a written complaint/grievance, the College official will review the complaint and contact the student within ten (10) business days to verify receipt of the grievance, clarify any information provided by the student, and request any additional information that may be needed from the student for the College official to fully evaluate the grievance. This also provides the student with an additional opportunity to provide any and all information he or she would like considered and to request a meeting with the College official if they so desire.
  3. The College official will then undertake efforts to evaluate and investigate the student's complaint to reach a determination. The College official will endeavor to expedite and reach a final determination typically no longer than thirty (30) days of receipt of the student's formal written complaint, although a few circumstances may warrant a lengthier period of time and the student will be notified of the same.
  4. The College official will provide the student with a written notification of the determination and outcome of their grievance. If the student is dissatisfied with the outcome, he/she may file an appeal at two higher levels: with the supervisor of the staff the complaint is against and with the Provost and Vice President for Student Success. The decision of the Vice President for the respective Division or designee is final and not subject to further appeal. The appeal process is outlined below, depending on the nature of the complaint/grievance.

Filing a Complaint Beyond the Institution

If your complaint is not resolved at the institutional level out of state students enrolled in distance education programs at the institution may file a complaint to the GA SARA Coordinator at: https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-resources/student-complaints/ga-sara-online-student-complaint-form

Sexual Misconduct Complaints (Title IX)

All complaints, including sexual misconduct complaints, which the College refers to as Title IX complaints, should be filed using the link above. Click here for a complete description of the College's policy and procedures regarding sexual misconduct complaints.

Grade Appeals

Click here for the Grade Appeal process.

Governance Body and Regional Accrediting Agency

Atlanta Metropolitan State College is governed by the
(1) Board of Regents (BOR) of the University of Georgia (USG)
270 Washington Street
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-962-3049
and is accredited by the
(2) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
404-679-4500