The procedures for complaints are the same for all Germanna students. Students may voice their concerns in either a formal or an informal manner. The following provides students with details of GCC’s procedures, resources, and complaint options.
Academic Grievance
An academic grievance is any difference of opinion or dispute between a student and a faculty member about learning activities as they affect the student.
Review the academic grievance procedure in the Catalog (navigate to the Catalog website, choose
"Student Handbook" from the left menu, then click on "Student Academic Grievance Procedure")
Non-Academic Complaint
A non-academic complaint is any difference of opinion or dispute between a student and an instructor, administrator, staff member, or another GCC student pertaining to the interpretation and/or application of policies and procedures, excluding issues of instruction or classroom management.
Review the non-academic complaint policy in the Catalog (navigate to the Catalog website, choose
"Student Handbook" from the left menu, then click on "Non-Academic Complaint")
Student Discrimination Grievance
The College provides a reasonable, prompt, orderly, and fairly administered resolution of complaints by an active student, credit or non-credit, for alleged discriminatory treatment by Germanna employees, or employees under contract to Germanna.
Disability Accommodation Grievance
Students who feel they have been denied equal access to all programs and services offered by the College may refer to the Grievance Procedure for Students with Disabilities.
Title IX Complaint
Complaints of sex-based discrimination, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual or gender-based harassment are governed by Germanna’s Title IX Policy on Sexual Harassment.
Other Complaints
The Ombudsperson Office serves as a neutral party to facilitate concerns or complaints from faculty, staff and students. Contact us to explore your options.
Additional Support
Filing a complaint to SCHEV
As a last resort, students may file a formal complaint with the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). Detailed information about SCHEV’s formal student complaint procedure, the types of complaints they will not address, or to file a written “Student Complaint Form” with the agency can be found on the SCHEV Student Complaint website.
Filing a complaint from other states
Students from non-SARA states who have been unable to resolve their complaint through the resources provided by GCC can submit a student complaint form to the state in which they live.