Student Complaints

In the spirit of providing our students a quality education, offering an appropriate array of support services and supporting student concerns, the University of Northern Iowa continues to take steps to create a more accessible and responsive student complaint process. The student complaint procedures outlined below are established to address concerns that arise within the university community. In addition, the university has a federal obligation to track student complaints to help us monitor and improve the quality of our operations and services.

When a student encounters a problem on campus or feels they have been treated unfairly, the student should first try to resolve the issue informally with the faculty/staff member or department directly involved. Many issues can be resolved by making an appointment with a faculty or staff member and calmly and honestly communicating the concern(s).

If a student is not satisfied after working informally to resolve the concern, and resolution has not been achieved through one of the processes listed below, the student may use the form provided below to file a formal student complaint with the Vice President for Student Life.

Student complaints outside of the processes outlined below should be submitted online.

Student Complaint Criteria

must be initiated by the student affected and include their identifying information (not anonymous)
submitted via this online form, after the complaint could not be resolved informally at the individual/department level
cannot be a request for a decision (e.g. grade change, requirement waiver, etc.), an appeal to re-examine a decision, or a grievance for which a defined process is provided, including but not limited to the processes listed below

Other individuals (parents, relatives, employers, members of the public, etc.) are welcome to contact the Vice President for Student Life (studentlife@uni.edu or 319-273-2332) for assistance and support in addressing concerns related to the university experience and connections to other university resources.

Student Complaint Process

In accordance with the Higher Learning Commission Policy FDCR.A.10.030 – Institutional Records of Student Complaints, the University of Northern Iowa has established the above outlined student complaint procedures. The University of Northern Iowa is required by law to share information about the complaints with its accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; however, individual identities will not be revealed without the express permission of the complainant or as required by law.

The Vice President for Student Life (or designee) and Provost (or designee) will review the data to identify any trends/issues that warrant further investigation, revision to existing policies, etc.

Before a formal student complaint is filed a student must demonstrate they have already attempted and not achieved resolution through other University procedures as noted below.

Academic Grievance (website includes link to file complaint)

Academic Suspension Appeals (website includes email address to send complaint)

Free Speech (website includes email address to send complaint)

Student Conduct

Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct (website includes link to file complaint)

Undergraduate Student Request (document includes instructions on making a request)

Student Employee Grievance Policy (website includes instructions on making a request)

Graduate Assistantship Grievance Policy (website includes instructions on making a request)

Bureau of Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education Student Complaint (website includes instructions and link to file complaint)