University of Lynchburg faculty and staff strive to provide each student with positive educational experiences and helpful services. Even so, it is understandable that complaints will arise from time to time. To address and resolve concerns as quickly as possible, all students are encouraged to address complaints to the office responsible for overseeing the area of concern.
If resolution of the student’s complaint cannot be accomplished in the above manner, or if the complaint concerns the supervisor or responsible staff member for the area, the student may then submit their complaint formally by completing and submitting the Written Student Complaint Form. This form does not replace current and existing grievance or appeal procedures as outlined in the student handbook or undergraduate or graduate academic catalogs.
Upon receipt, the coordinator for written student complaints will assign the concern to a staff member designated to resolve complaints for the unit from which the complaint originates. In some cases, an alternate individual may be required. This designated person will in turn review the complaint and contact the student within five (5) business days to verify their receipt of the complaint, clarify any information provided by the student, and request any additional information that may be needed to fully evaluate the complaint. A final determination on resolution of the complaint will be made within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the student’s formal written complaint, although circumstances may warrant a lengthier period of time and the student will be notified of the same.
The coordinator for written student complaints is responsible for tracking resolution of written student complaints, preserving documentation of the resolution, and maintaining a record of written student complaints. For questions about the complaint policy, please contact the coordinator for written student complaints at concerns@lynchburg.edu.
Emergency concerns regarding health or safety should be reported immediately to Campus Safety and Security (434-544-5555).
In addition, the University of Lynchburg offers Campus Conduct Hotline, a confidential, independent, call-in service for reporting observed activity or behavior that is harmful, unethical, questionable, or causes personal injury (e.g., fraud, sexual harassment, discrimination, safety risk, Internet abuse, workplace hostility). To use the Campus Conduct Hotline, call 866-943-5787. Learn more about the Campus Conduct Hotline.
Most concerns and complaints can be resolved at the campus level. However, after following University of Lynchburg procedures, complaints may be filed with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) through the student complaint process described on the SCHEV website.
Contact information for each of the agencies that accredit or approve the University of Lynchburg’s academic programs is published on the University’s accreditation website.
For online students who live out of state: If an issue cannot be resolved through the University of Lynchburg’s internal processes and you decide to file a complaint with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), you may also alert the agency in your home state that deals with student complaints. A contact list for state agencies that address student complaints is available at University of Lynchburg Online.
