Complaints and Grievances

Resources for Formal Complaints and Grievances

A vast collection of resources for the safeguarding of the dignity of the human person, along with processes whereby concerns can be raised and resolved, can be found on the university's page dealing with Title IX and related policies. This includes questions of fair treatment, hazing, retaliation, relationships, nondiscrimination, and whistleblower policies. See the link below:

Title IX

Academic Complaints Process

The University of Mary strives to resolve academic complaints, grievances, and concerns in a fair and respectful manner. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the public who perceive a college academic policy violation may submit a complaint. The complaint process is designed to identify substantive problems with an institution’s ability to meet the Criteria for Accreditation.

The University of Mary is fully dedicated, as a Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine community, to upholding the dignity of every human person. Those who encounter unjust treatment or discrimination within the University of Mary community are especially worthy of the University’s care and concern.

Financial Aid Suspension Appeals

Academic Amnesty

Academic Appeals

Higher Learning Commission

Sara Grievance Policy

The University of Mary is a member of the National Council for State Authorization and Reciprocity (NC-SARA) which provides comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

NC-SARA defines a complaint as: "a formal assertion in writing that the terms of this agreement, or of laws, standards or regulations incorporated by this agreement, are being violated by a person, institution, state, agency, or other organization or entity operating under the terms of this agreement."

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements Policies and Standards

Student complaints related to the University of Mary’s online programs not resolved through the University’s academic grievance procedures as described in the University Catalog or the General Grievance/Fair Treatment Policy for Students may be filed within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made to the North Dakota University System Office. These complaints can be mailed or emailed to:

North Dakota University System Office
Claire Gunwall
stateauth@ndus.edu
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230

State of ND Complaints

The complaint process for ND is the same process used for NC-SARA complaints.

State of CA Complaint Process

Pursuant to California Education Code 94801.5(b): Non-public higher education institutions that are degree-granting, non-profit, and accredited are exempt and need not register with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. University of Mary students residing in California that wish to make a complaint may do so through the below complaint process: A complaint may be filed by writing to the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) or calling DCA’s Consumer Information Center (CIC) at:

California Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834
833-942-1120
dca@dca.ca.gov.

Department of Consumer Affairs

State of MT Complaint Process

Student complaints related to the University of Mary’s programs delivered onsite in MT that are not resolved through the University’s academic grievance procedures as described in the University Catalog or the General Grievance Policy for Students may be filed as follows:

Complaints concerning consumer protection violations should be directed to the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection
Complaints concerning proper licensure under Montana law (see Board of Regents’ Policy 221), may be directed to 406-449-9124 or Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, 560 N. Park Ave, PO Box 203201, Helena, MT 59620-3201.

Student Conduct Appeals

See the Student Handbook for information on the appeal process.