Complaints, Appeals & Grievances
Procedures & Policies
Onondaga Community College is committed to protecting the rights of our students and other members of the campus community. The college has policies and procedures in place to address student complaints and the equitable resolution of such complaints. Please read the descriptions below and select the area that is most appropriate for your situation.
Tuition Appeal
A Tuition Appeal may be required if a student experiences serious, unexpected circumstances beyond their control that force them to withdraw from all enrolled classes and they are seeking a refund of tuition charges. Before submitting, carefully review the eligibility criteria outlined in the appeal form. The initial submission will be evaluated to determine if the situation qualifies for an appeal. If it does, the student will receive an application form to complete for a final review and decision.
Academic Concern
If a student believes that he or she has been harmed by an inequitable or inappropriate implementation of the academic rules and/or policies of the college, they have options to report such concerns.
A general academic concern can be defined as when a student is dissatisfied with a decision, act, or condition affecting him/her, relating to a specific course, instructor or department and is NOT covered under the Academic Rules. Students should review the Academic Rules first to make sure this is the appropriate process for their concern.
Academic Dishonesty Appeal
An Academic Dishonesty appeal may be necessary when a penalty has been imposed and the student has new information to support their position.
Final Grade Dispute
If you believe your final course grade was assigned unfairly, you can file a grade appeal. Start by talking with your instructor to try to resolve the issue. If that doesn’t work, you can submit a written appeal for review. Appeals must be started by March 1 (for fall/winter grades) or October 1 (for spring/summer grades). Learn more about the process here:
Behavioral Grievance
Reports of discrimination or harassment by employees may be made to Human Resources, Monifa Wilcox, or the Director of Employee & Labor Relations, Scott Whalen. Reports of discrimination or harassment by students may be reported to Eunice Williams, Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer/Title VI Coordinator. You may also submit the online form below and the case will be assigned to the appropriate individual.
Report Discrimination or Harassment
Report of an alleged Title IX violation (which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault or sexual violence) may be filed with Hailey Warren, Title IX Coordinator. Or complete this form:
Title IX Violation Report Form
Report of an alleged violation of school policies may be filed with Meghan Peryea, Assistant Director of Student's Rights and Responsibilities. Or complete this form:
General Complaint
A general complaint is one that does not relate to any other internal complaint listed here (i.e. Tuition Appeal, Academic Concern, Behavioral Grievance).
Please Note: the fact that you may not be satisfied with the decision rendered from one of the other processes does not qualify as a general complaint.
Fill out a General Complaint Form
You may also file a complaint with our accrediting agency, Middle States Commission on Higher Education.