Complaints

Calvin University is committed to an excellent educational experience for students and welcomes opinions and feedback regarding programs, services, and personnel. All students have the right to register a concern regarding a college policy or procedure or a person’s behavior as described in the policies referred to below:

Challenging the accuracy of student records – See Calvin’s FERPA policy.

Concerns about academic sanctions given as a result of academic dishonesty – See the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.

Concerns and appeals regarding faculty, courses, or general teaching effectiveness – See the Faculty Concerns, Protest, and Appeals section of the Calvin’s Student Handbook. Complaints can be registered at any time using the Comment-on-Faculty form, available in the college’s online portal.

Concerns about online or out-of-state courses – Calvin participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) which governs how it can offer on-line courses to students in other states (except for California and Massachusetts which do not participate in SARA). SARA requires that students in another state who wish to register a complaint related to one of Calvin’s on-line courses should submit their complaint to the Michigan state portal agency.  The contact person is:

Michael Beamish, Manager
State of Michigan
Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing
Schools and Licensing
PO Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
517.241.6806 phone
517.373.2162 fax
beamishm@michigan.gov

Discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or abuse of power (whether experienced or witnessed) – The college encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination, harassment or retaliation regardless of the offender’s identity or position. Reports may be made to a Safer Spaces Coordinator. Reports also may be made via the “I Will Report It” 24/7 designated message line at 616-526-IWRI (616-526-4974) or via the online Comment-on-Faculty form. The Safer Spaces policy outlines the procedures for handling such complaints.

Discrimination on the basis of disability – See Calvin’s Grievance Procedures for Persons with Disabilities. This policy is published in the Student Handbook.

Calvin University seeks to resolve student concerns in a timely and effective manner. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. If a student believes that the college’s internal procedures have not adequately addressed his or her concerns, the student may directly register a complaint about the college with the Higher Learning Commission by email (complaints@hlcommission.org) or in writing to The Higher Learning Commission; 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500; Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411.

Questions or concerns about Calvin’s complaint policies should be directed to the provost.