Student Options: Concerns & Complaints

1. LA 100 – SOS Version LEC-02 Althoff Student Options: Concerns & Complaints Campus Resources Research & Field Opportunities

2. When you have a concern or complaint… • You can go to… Your instructor/professor Your advisor School Chair (Dr. Elizabeth Bonawitz) Dean of the College (Dr. David Lawrence – BEF) Assoc. Provost (Dr. David Lawrence - BEF) President (Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley – Allen Hall)

3. A concern…. • You observe what you consider to be something that is discriminatory because of your sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, veteran status, etc…… • You believe you have been unfairly treated… a) in an exchange with an instructor/professor b) in how your quiz or exam was graded c) in how your report/assignment was graded d) in how another student interacted with you e) etc.

4. Discriminatory & Harassment • URG & RCCC “stronglydisapprove and expresslyprohibit” harassmentor discrimination based on “race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristics protected by by applicable federal, state, or local laws” Student Handbook p45

5. If you have or perceive you have been harassed or discriminated against because one of the “protected” categories…. • You can file a student “non-academic grievance” • You must contact…to file a written report…one of the following: Director of Human Resources Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Dean of Students • The report you submit will be kept confidential to the extent possible to conduct a thorough investigation and to take remedial action Student Handbook p46

6. A concern or complaint you might have with a professor / instructor…. • They routinely start class/lab late or end it early • Their notes and/or handouts are not helpful • They waste time talking about many “non-course related” topics • They have cancelled more than a class or two • You disagree with how they graded your exam and/or assignment and/or report • Etc. • If you perceive “arbitary, capricious, or prejudicial” treatment (Student Handboook p47)

7. If you have concern or complaint with a professor or instructor…. Option A • It is recommended you 1st try to clearly communicate your concern or complaint directly with “that” professor or instructor • If you are unsure how to approach a faculty about a concern or complaint, you might consider visiting with your advisor first….or if you are unsatisfied with response to your concern/complaint with “that” faculty member…visit with your advisor. • Do this within 5 days of the perceived injustice

8. If you have concern or complaint with a professor or instructor…. Option B • If you decide not to first work things out with the professor/instructor…then it is recommended you meet with the School Chair…this would be considered the 2nd step. Or if you meet with the professor/instructor first and do not feel you have been treated with respect and/or fairly, then you can meet with the Chair. • If the professor/instructor you have an “issue” with is the chair, then you can meet with the Dean of the College

9. Not satisfied….. Professor or instructor 1 1b concern or complaint School Chair 1c Dean of the College 1d Provost But don’t forget about the ADVISOR option

10. What we just briefly reviewed was the “informal” academic grievance procedure • Consult the Student Handbook p47-48 for additional details There is a “formal” academic grievance procedure • For when the informal procedure does not result in a an acceptable outcome for you • Consult the Student Handbook p48-49 for additional details

11. Campus Resources • Davis Library - RioCat (search their resources…books, magazines, media, etc.) - OhioLINK (search their resources…books, magazines, media, etc. A) can get .pdf files free for selected journals B) can get book on loan from another institution or a photo copy Referred to as an “INTERLIBRARY LOAN”

12. For searching for TECHNICAL papers • What is a technical paper? Generally discipline-specific, loaded with discipline-specific terminology, and a very specific format. Lots of text, graphs, and tables…few pictures! • Consider using OhioLINK and Google Scholar a) http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/ b) http://www.google.com/

13. Campus Resources – JENKINS CENTER • Open Computer Lab • Test taking (ACT, Praxis) • Math Skills Tests • Note Taking Skills • Paper Editing • Reading/Learning Strategies • Time Management • Writing Skills Enhancement • Accessibility Support -

14. In Summary: You have options • Concerns & Complaints: advisor professor/instructor school chair dean provost • Campus Resources: Davis Library OhioLINK Jenkins Center

15. Research & Field Opportunities • Rio Faculty A) individual B) collaborative • Rio Students A) class projects B) directed studies C) volunteering participation

16. Research & Field Opportunities • Rio Faculty Dr. Althoff—flying squirrels, plants & animals Dr. Hopkins—aquaticsystems, GIS/GIS modeling Dr. Means—RNA, chemical modeling Dr. Sigismondi—wetlandsystems Dr. White—environmentalchemistry • Check out their webpages, bulletin boards, stop-by and inquire