Specific Appeals Processes
By directing complaints to the appropriate office or individual, students may be assured of appropriate action, when necessary. Included in the Berea College Catalog and the Student Handbook are policies and procedures for receipt of and response to student complaints or appeals in the following areas: charges of academic dishonesty, academics and grades, administrative withdrawals (suspensions, etc.), refunds, fines and charges, records contents and access, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and assault, judicial actions and procedures, housing, convocations, and labor matters. Written student complaints in other areas should be addressed to the director of the office, service, or program with which the complaint is concerned.
Harassment/Sexual Misconduct Complaints
Reports of harassment/sexual harassment should be directed by email to TitleIX@Berea.edu or by phone to 859-228-2323.
Also see Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.
Discrimination Complaints
Questions or complaints regarding discrimination (see “Nondiscrimination Policy” in this section) should be referred to the office or committee responsible for the activity concerned, e.g. athletics, student labor, academic courses. In addition, the College has appointed the following Compliance Officers under these provisions of law:
Disabilities Discrimination
The Vice President for Operations and Sustainability, Derrick Singleton, serves as Section 504 Compliance Coordinator. Questions or complaints in the area of disabilities discrimination should be referred to that office in Lincoln Hall 230. Or call 859-985-3130 (See appeal-process information in Disabilities Services.)
Sex Discrimination
Sex discrimination questions or complaints may be directed to the Title VII/Title IX Coordinator, Katherine Basham, via email at TitleIX@berea.edu or by phone at 859-228-2323.
General Complaints to Ombudsman
When a complaint does not fit one of the published processes for adjudication, the student should contact the Ombudsman for Students, Gus Gerassimides, for guidance. (His office is located in 4 Fairchild Hall.) Acting in the Ombudsman capacity, he informs relevant parties to such complaints and refers for action, mediates, or otherwise investigates the complaint, providing appropriate documentation of the complaint and action taken.