Academic Grievances
PURPOSE
The purpose of the student academic grievance procedures is to ensure that students at Southern University and A&M College understand their right to seek redress in academic decisions when they believe the decision is unfair or unfounded and that each student, faculty member and University leader fully understand the grievance procedure and responsibilities to provide prompt and equitable resolution to student academic grievances.
Classroom related matters should be subjected to these procedures only when the grievance cannot be settled in the ordinary course of immediate post-class discussion.
GENERAL POLICY
This policy provides students with the procedure to seek redress for believed unfair academic decisions as it applies to the individual student in his/her capacity as a student. It is Southern University's basic philosophy that student grievances should be settled at the lowest level possible, having the authority to act definitively as quickly as practical. The policy mandates that individuals follow the specific appeals procedures whenever possible.
PROVISIONS OF THE ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCESS
1. All students have the right to address grievances without fear of coercion, harassment, intimidation or reprisal from the University or its employees; however, understand that capricious charges made by a student against a university employee may make that student liable to charges under the Code of Student Conduct or to action through the courts.
2. Students will have the right to have an advisor. Advisors will be available through the office of student affairs, located in the Smith-Brown Student Union, second floor.
3. Confidentiality shall be maintained, where applicable, in all academic grievance proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
4. The timeline indicated at each step shall be considered a maximum, and every effort will be made to expedite the process. The time limits specified shall apply to both the person filing the grievance and the faculty/administration but may be extended under certain extenuating circumstances.
5. The university's official email address (sus.edu) is the only email address that will be used for the grievance process.
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty is an offense against the University. A student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty has failed to meet a basic requirement of satisfactory academic performance. Thus, academic dishonesty is not only a basis for disciplinary action, but it is also relevant to the evaluation of students' performance levels. This form is NOT to be used for academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty cases are managed in accordance with the Southern University and A&M College Code of Student Conduct.
FORMS