Committed to assuring and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.

Appendix L: The General Theological Seminary Process for Complaints and Grievances (from the GTS Academic Handbook)

The General Theological Seminary is committed to providing an educational climate that is conducive to the education and formation of each individual. In order to ensure that commitment, the Seminary has developed procedures for students to pursue grievances within the Seminary community, should such action become necessary. A student who has an unresolved disagreement or dissatisfaction with a faculty or staff member, another student, student group or administrator has the right to file a written complaint without prejudicing his or her status with the Seminary. This policy applies to problems not covered elsewhere, for example, Academic Hearings, Catalog Appendix B: FERPA, Appendix G: Incident Reporting or the Employee Handbook.

Definition: A complaint involves a concern, problem or issue other than a disciplinary measure. (The appropriate response to a disciplinary measure which is deemed unfair or excessive, or dissatisfaction with a grade, or progression, probation, or dismissal from a program, is an appeal, not a complaint. Appeals are made through established Seminary procedures which are outlined elsewhere in the Catalog). Complaints may be academic or nonacademic.

An academic complaint may be brought by a student regarding the Seminary’s provision of education and academic services affecting his/her role as a student. Academic grievances can include but are not limited to the following types of allegations: discriminatory action toward students within the classroom by a faculty member, e.g., by singling out specific students for either preferential or adverse treatment; failure of a faculty member to follow Seminary policies in the conduct of classes or examinations; or capricious or unreasonable arbitrary actions by a faculty member that adversely affects student performance.

The student must have first attempted to resolve the issue by approaching the faculty member, and then, where appropriate, before filing a written complaint. A non-academic complaint may be brought by a student regarding a disagreement or unresolved dissatisfaction with a faculty or staff member, another student, student group or administrator. In most cases, the student should first have attempted to resolve the issue by approaching the person(s) involved, and then the appropriate Dean or supervisor, before filing a written complaint.

Process: The student is encouraged to attempt to resolve all grievances at the lowest possible level. The student should first discuss the problem or complaint with the person whose decision or action is being contested and then with the person’s supervisor. If the grievance cannot be resolved at that level, the student can submit a formal complaint in writing to the Registrar. A complaint must be based on a claimed violation of a Seminary rule or policy that has not been resolved through ordinary processes.

Any student who brings a complaint has the burden of proof and must provide documentation and evidence to support the allegation. A complaint should normally be filed within 10 working days of the incident or incidents.