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Concerns

Problem Resolution

Students may encounter problem situations during their course of study at Oakland University that require review by appropriate administrative or academic personnel. The University’s problem resolution procedure provides a fact-finding system for resolving problems between students and faculty or staff members when a review of the issues is not available through other established procedures. For some issues e.g. discrimination, harassment, specific university procedures must be followed. The Dean of Students, located in the Oakland Center, Suite 150, is always available to advise students on the alternatives that are available to resolve a concern.

Each student, faculty member, administrator and staff member has an obligation to resolve problems fairly through discussion between the aggrieved student and the specific university person involved with the problem.

Academic Concerns

Each academic unit has developed its own internal procedure for resolving complaints about classroom situations and will provide a copy upon request. Generally, a student must first contact the instructor. If the problem is not resolved between the instructor and the student, the student then contacts the department chair. The department chair may then hear the facts of the case or refer it to an internal unit committee. If the problem is not resolved at this step, the student may then contact the dean of the college or school to continue the problem resolution process. In the case of graduate students, the school or college dean shall consult with the Director of Graduate Study. For cases involving grade disputes and classroom procedures but not involving discrimination, harassment or illegal behavior, the process stops at the dean level.

In any case involving an academic concern, the student should be aware of the responsibilities of the instructor and of the student.

An instructor’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The instructor should hold classes and examinations when and where officially scheduled.

  2. Each instructor should be available in his or her office for student consultation for a reasonable number of hours each week and make these hours known.

  3. The instructor should make known at the beginning of each course the objectives and nature of the course, dates of important events e.g., tests, major assignments, and policies on grading, class attendance, tests, papers and class participation.

  4. The instructor should ensure that the content of the course he/she teaches is consistent with the course description in the university catalog.

  5. The instructor should adhere to University policies concerning students’ rights.

  6. The instructor should attend the meetings as required by the procedures of the unit concerning student grievances.

A student’s responsibilities include, but are not restricted to, the following:

  1. The student must know and adhere to the instructor’s policies concerning attendance, tests, papers and class participation.

  2. The student must direct academic complaints about a class through the channels explained above.

  3. Upon the request of his or her instructor, the student should consult with the instructor at a mutually convenient time.

  4. The student should attend the meetings as required by the unit grievance procedures.

In the above process, a student may discuss the problem with the instructor. However, it is beneficial for the student to write out the concerns and state the suggested resolution to the problem. The complaint should be supported with facts. If the problem is not resolved at the instructor level and advances to the department chair, students must document their concerns to assist the chair or the unit committee to understand the problem.

Non-Academic Concerns

From time-to-time, students may experience concerns with their employment situation or service on campus. In these situations, the student may wish to contact the dean of students to discuss problem resolution steps. Generally, the procedure will involve presenting the facts to the immediate supervisor of the specific university employee involved. The student should clearly state the nature and basis of the alleged offense, the name of the person(s) who committed the offense, the specifics of the incident(s) involved and the names of any known witnesses. In handling such complaints, discretion will be exercised but no guarantee of confidentiality may be given, since an investigation will necessarily involve discussions with other parties.

The immediate supervisor of the person against whom the complaint was lodged must respond to the complainant within 30 days after the complaint was filed unless an extension for additional review or information gathering is authorized. If the complainant is dissatisfied a written appeal may be made to the next level of supervision. For non-academic complaints, appeals stop at the vice-presidential level.

Concerns about Unlawful Discrimination or Harassment

Oakland University is committed to equality of opportunity for all persons. The University strives to build a community that welcomes and honors all persons and that provides equal opportunity in education and employment. As such, the University policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against any person on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, or veteran status.

Harassment based on a person’s race, sex, sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, or veteran status is a form of discrimination generally prohibited by law and, therefore prohibited by University policy.  

Sexual harassment is misconduct on the basis of sex where unwelcome conduct as determined by a reasonable person to be severe and pervasive that is effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s educational programs or activities. Sexual harassment also exists when an employee conditions the provision of aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.  Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, unwelcome sexual propositions, sexually graphic comments about a person’s body, touching, patting, pinching, leering, persistent sexual jokes or comments, and displays of sexually graphic pictures.

The University prohibits retaliation against persons who lodge discrimination complaints under University discrimination policies and persons who serve as witnesses or otherwise cooperate with University discrimination investigations. This is true regardless of whether the University finds that unlawful discrimination occurred.

In cases involving alleged unlawful discrimination or harassment students should contact the following:

Involving a university employee: Office of Title IX and Compliance, 119 Wilson Hall, 248-370-4700.

Between students only: Dean of Students Office, 150 Oakland Center, 248-370-3352.

Time Limits for All Types of Concerns

In the interest of fairness to all parties, a complaint should be filed as soon as possible to assist in obtaining the facts related to the complaint. For this reason, a complaint generally will not be processed unless it is filed no later than sixty days after the student became aware or should have become aware of the incident leading to the complaint. However, the University may waive the 60-day rule based upon the facts and circumstances of the complaint and after giving due consideration to the protection of the rights of both the complainant and the individual accused.