Written Student Complaints

Student Complaint Procedure 

University of Florida Student Grievance Procedure (UF Regulation 4.012) defines a grievance as a dissatisfaction occurring when a student believes that any decision, act or condition affecting them is illegal, unjust, or creates unnecessary hardship.

The Division of Enrollment Management procedures for handling https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfstudent complaints outlined below pertain only to grievances arising from concerns with the division or its units (Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships). These procedures and the https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfstudent complaints form are not for academic grievances or grade disputes. Student academic grievances, grade disputes or general grievances should be submitted in accordance with UF Regulation 4.012 Student Grievance Procedure.  If you have questions regarding how to file your grievance in accordance with the above referenced Regulation, please contact the Office of the University Ombuds. mailto:ombuds@ufl.eduombuds@ufl.edu

  1. The complaint must be in writing on the https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfcomplaint form and signed by the aggrieved student. The complaint must also include the student’s contact information (phone number, email, and address). Submission of written complaints by email will be accepted only if the complaint form is signed and attached to the email and includes the student’s contact information. Oral, anonymous, or complaints submitted on behalf of another individual will not be considered formal complaints and will not be processed in accordance with these procedures.
  2. These complaint procedures only apply to currently enrolled students.
  3. The complaint should include details of the alleged act or condition and how it affects the student. The supervisor or director or designee of the unit from which the complaint arose will review the complaint and respond to the student in writing within 45 business days from the receipt of the complaint. The student may be contacted for additional information and/or clarification if/when appropriate. The 45-day timeline may be extended to allow for additional review of information if necessary. If the complaint is against the director of the unit, the complaint should be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
  4. Should the issue remain unresolved or if the student is dissatisfied with the response of the unit, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Enrollment Management. The Vice President will review the appeal and respond to the student in writing. The Vice President’s decision, whether in the student’s favor or not, constitutes final University of Florida action.

https://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfhttps://www.sfa.ufl.edu/pub/StudentComplaintPolicy.pdfComplaint forms should be mailed or submitted in person to:

The University Registrar 
Office of the University Registrar                                   
222 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611

Director of Admissions
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611

Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
S-107 Criser Hall
PO Box 114025 
Gainesville, FL 32611

Office of the Vice President
Division of Enrollment Management
216 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611

 

State Complaint Process

In accordance with 34 C.F.R. 600.9(a) and 34 C.F.R. 668.43(b), the University is required to provide both current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting body and the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in a student’s resident state. Students can file a complaint at https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2020/01/ComplaintPolicy-1.pdf

FERPA Violation Complaint Process

The Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA):  https://registrar.ufl.edu/ferpa/How UF Ensures Confidentiality

In accordance with https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-9934 CFR 99.63, parents or eligible students can file a written complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office at:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW.
Washington, DC 20202