Student Complaints

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) investigates all written and signed student complaints against the colleges and universities in the CSCU system. Additionally, CSCU also provides prospective and enrolled students with contact information for filing complaints with our accrediting agency and other appropriate state agencies. View Request for Review Forms.

INITIATING A REQUEST FOR REVIEW

For the CSCU system to consider a Request for Review, the following must be true: 

  • The student has exhausted all available grievance procedures established by the institution.
  • The student did not receive a satisfactory resolution and is contacting CSCU as a last resort in the grievance process.
  • The student has filled out the REQUEST FOR REVIEW FORM completely and has signed it either electronically, or by wet signature, attesting to the truth and accuracy of the information provided.
  • The student has submitted the claim in accordance with the instructions set out in the Filing a Request for Review section.
  • By submitting the request, the student acknowledges that CSCU may share the information provided with the institution or other relevant organizations to help resolve the dispute. CSCU does not guarantee a resolution resulting from the submission or its investigation into the allegation(s).

Upon receiving a Student Complaint / Request for Review, CSCU will determine, based on the elements listed above, whether the matter for which review is sought falls within its jurisdiction. If it does, CSCU will initiate an investigation into the allegation(s). If preliminary findings indicate an inconsistent application of CSCU policy by the institution, CSCU will resolve the request administratively through mediated discussion. All parties will be notified in writing of the outcome of the investigation. If the claim(s) in the Request for Review is/are outside of CSCU jurisdiction, the Request for Review may be directed to the accrediting body, or to another agency that is authorized to resolve the matter, if appropriate.

CSCU will not investigate anonymous Requests for Review.

FILING A REQUEST FOR REVIEW

Please file your Request for Review via email to Tamara O’Day-Stevens at O'DayStevensT@ct.edu, using “Request for Review” as the email’s subject and attaching the Request for Review Form and any supporting documentation. The form must be filled out thoroughly and accurately.

Tamara O’Day-Stevens or her designee may contact the student and/or the institution during the investigation to obtain documented evidence regarding the Complaint / Request to Review, which may include but is not limited to copies of enrollment documentation, contracts, syllabi, receipts, financial aid notices, promissory notes, and other relevant correspondence.

Students have the right to seek advice from a private attorney.

Questions regarding filing a Request for Review can be sent to Tamara O’Day-Stevens, Interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success, O’DayStevensT@ct.edu.
 

ACCREDITING AGENCY

New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) provides information for students to address public comments, complaints against affiliated institutions, and complaints against the Commission.                  

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Access the complaint form for the State of Connecticut at the Connecticut Attorney General’s website.

REQUEST FOR REVIEW FORMS

Digitally Fillable Request for Review Form

Printable Request for Review Form