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

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements-Approved Institution

Complaint Resolution Policies and Procedures for Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement States, commonly known as SARA.

Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.

Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the Institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.

For a list of SARA member States, please visit the NC-SARA website. Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective State of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.