Informal Student Complaint Process

A student with a complaint or concern about a Law College policy, student, or faculty member should seek informal resolution of the concern by meeting first with the Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs who can provide guidance for most issues. Frequently the matter is one which the Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs has dealt with before and for which there is an available answer. Alternatively, the Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs may refer the student to another administrator or staff member whose areas of responsibility include the topic of concern.

In the event the student is dissatisfied with the proposed resolution, the student should meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. In a matter involving another student, a student who is still dissatisfied with the proposed resolution should proceed pursuant to the MSU Law Code of Student Discipline or Law Student Rights and Responsibilities. In all other matters, the dissatisfied student may appeal in writing to the Dean, or if appropriate, proceed pursuant to the Academic Hearing Procedures.

Procedures for Student Accreditation Standard Complaints

1. Definition
   1. A “Student Accreditation Standard Complaint” is a written communication from a Law College student that seeks to bring to the attention of the Law College administration a significant problem that directly implicates the College’s program of legal education and its compliance with the ABA Standards under which the Law College is accredited.
2. Submission of Complaint to the Dean
   1. Student Accreditation Standard Complaints shall be made to the Dean. The complaint shall be in writing and include the name and contact information of the complainant and the complainant’s status as a student in the Law College. The complaint shall specify with particularity the facts relied upon to support the allegation and shall identify the ABA accreditation standard as to which it is alleged the Law College is not in compliance.
3. Action Upon the Complaint
   The Dean shall have thirty calendar days following receipt of the complaint to respond in writing to the complainant. Such response may be in the form of:
   1. Notice from the Dean to the complainant that an investigation of the allegations of the complaint has been initiated, together with a date by which it is expected a final substantive response will be made;
   2. A preliminary substantive response to the allegations of the complaint, together with a date by which it is expected a final substantive response will be made; or,
   3. A final substantive response to the allegations of the complaint.
4. Appeal
   1. Upon receiving a final substantive response to a Student Accreditation Standard Complaint, the complainant may appeal pursuant to the Academic Hearing Procedures.

Adopted May 8, 2013

Updated July 17, 2018