This policy was formerly known as the open communication policy.
Eastern Mennonite University welcomes open communication from students regarding its policies and practices. Student feedback helps administrators determine effectiveness and clarify and improve processes and procedures. If a student has a complaint , such complaint it should be communicated to the administrator responsible for the area of the complaint. Most complaints can be dealt with through informal communication between the parties.
When a student wishes to lodge a more formal written complaint in writing, the following student complaint form at is submitted: http://emu.edu/about/student-complaint-form/ is to be completed.
This form is submitted directed to the assistant to the president and provost, who determines who will respond and address concerns. That person will respond within five days, and after hearing your concern, will officially respond in writing to you, with that response the appropriate person to respond to the stated concerns. A formal written response will occur within five business days of notification of the concern. This response will be copied to the assistant to the president per the student complaint policy, detailed in the university handbook.
In the event that a student is not satisfied with the response to the complaint, the student may choose to follow the grievance procedure for resolutionup by utilizing the Grievance Procedure policy for resolution, available at the Student Life or Provost’s offices. The university recognizes its obligation to ensure that students who make complaints do not suffer adverse treatment as a result = of the complaint. In the event that a student alleges such treatment, the student shall be referred to the grievance procedure Grievance Procedure for resolution and reconciliation.
If an issue cannot be resolved by the university’s internal processes, students may file a formal complaint with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) at at http://www.schev.edu/index/students/studentcomplaint.asp-and-parents/resources/student-complaints/student-complaint-form.
Approved by President’s Cabinet May 21, 2003
Revised March 12, 2007
Revised February 11, 2009
Updated March 2015
Updated July 2018