Appeal Submission

Appeal Submission — Students must address complaints in writing to the chair of the program or director of the office that is the subject of the complaint.

Review of Complaint at Chair/Director Level

If the subject of the complaint is within the purview of the program chair or office director, the chair or office director will provide a written resolution to the complaint in a timely manner, preferably within ten business days. The program chair or office director will make a record of the complaint, the resolution, and the process used to adjudicate the matter. The program chair or office director will forward a copy of the record to the appropriate vice president.

Review of Complaint at Vice President Level

If the subject of the complaint is outside the purview of the program chair or office director, the program chair or office director will forward the complaint to the vice president or designee who has authority to resolve the matter. The vice president or designee will provide a written resolution to the complaint in a timely manner, preferably within ten business days. The vice president or designee will make a record of the complaint, the resolution, and the process used to adjudicate the matter. If the designee resolves the complaint, that person will furnish a copy of the record to the vice president. If the vice president resolves the complaint, he/she will furnish a copy of the record to the president.

In cases when complainants are not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint, they must follow the procedure outlined:

Appeal to Vice President or Designee

If a program chair or office director resolves the complaint, the complainant may appeal to the appropriate vice president or designee. Complainants must file written appeals to the vice president or designee within three business days. The vice president or designee will provide a written resolution to the complaint in a timely manner, preferably within ten business days. The vice president or designee will make a record of the complaint, the resolution, and the process used to adjudicate the matter. If the designee resolves the complaint, that person will furnish a copy of the record to the vice president. If the vice president resolves the complaint, he/she shall furnish a copy of the record to the president.

Appeal of Designee Ruling

If complainants are not satisfied with the resolution adjudicated by the designee, they may appeal in writing to the appropriate vice president within three business days. The vice president will provide a written resolution to the complaint in a timely manner, preferably within ten business days. The vice president will make a record of the complaint, the resolution, and the process used to adjudicate the matter. The vice president will furnish a copy of the record to the president.

Appeal of Vice President Ruling

If complainants are not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint adjudicated by a vice president, they may appeal the adjudication to the president. Complainants must file written appeals within three working days. The president will provide a written resolution to the complaint in a timely manner, preferably within ten business days. The president will make a record of the complaint, the resolution, and the process used to adjudicate the matter. The president may, at his/her discretion, appoint an ad hoc committee to review the process and to make recommendations for further action. The decision of the president is final.

Out-of-State Students

Out-of-State Students

Any complaints pertaining to a Athens Technical College Distance Education course or program should be filed with Athens Technical College in accordance with the complaint process described in this section.

Complaints needing further investigation beyond the college level may be submitted to TCSG using the Program Integrity Complaint Form. Before submitting to TCSG, students need to follow the institution’s process as written.

A student may appeal to the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) if the institution’s and TCSG’s resolution is not satisfactory; however, please note that the Commission will not investigate a complaint unless the student has exhausted all available grievance procedures outlined by the institution. GNPEC does not resolve complaints about student grades and student conduct violations. These complaints fall under the jurisdiction of institutional policy.