University Concern or Complaint

The University of Memphis is committed to providing a positive environment of work, study, and leisure/recreation for our students, faculty, and staff. Unfortunately, at times complaints or concerns from students may arise in the daily operations of campus.

Concerns or complaints about any function of the university are ordinarily handled through the normal administrative chain. Students can take the following steps to file a formal complaint:

• Write a letter to the dean, department head or director responsible for the area of complaint. Include in the letter an overview of the problem and the resolution requested.
• If you are unsure of where to address a specific complaint, contact the Dean of Students Office, UC 359, 901.678.2187, submit the student complaint form below, or email the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@memphis.edu.

The University of Memphis Complaint Policies for Certain Distance Education Students

The policies below apply to students who are:

• non-Tennessee residents in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) states and who are enrolled in a distance education program/course or
• attending an out-of-state learning placement in a SARA state other than Tennessee

The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations.  For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3.  

Institution Complaint Policies

The Student Handbook can be found here: https://www.memphis.edu/osa/students/code-of-rights.php and the steps for submitting report can be found here: https://www.memphis.edu/report/submit-a-report/index.php. 

Additional Complaint Policies

Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)

• Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
• Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.
• The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
• Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
• Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.