Close search

Home

Student Consumer Complaint and Grievance Policy

Federal regulations require colleges and universities to ensure access to a complaint process. BW is committed to providing clear, accessible policies and to addressing concerns promptly and thoughtfully.

Student Complaints

Students are encouraged first to speak with the individual, office, or department best positioned to directly resolve their concerns. If those efforts are unproductive, BW provides multiple avenues through which to report and resolve concerns.

Student complaints are defined as grievances or general dissatisfaction with the college and/or its employees. These are distinctive from student appeals of college policies and decisions. A student’s appeal, whether for an exception to a policy, a financial aid award, or a decision made through the resolution processes under the Student Code of Conduct or Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures, is not considered a student complaint. To report concerns related to discrimination or sexual misconduct, complete the University's Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Report form.

Complaint Process

Students may file complaints via the following administrative procedures:

If a student complaint does not align with one of the above procedures, students may contact the following personnel to discuss methods of initiating a complaint:

  • Melissa Fairman, Vice President for Human Resources
  • Lisa Henderson, Senior Associate Provost
  • Léna Crain, Vice President for Student Experience and Dean of Students

Filing Complaints Outside of BW

Some student concerns or complaints may pertain to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, alleged violations of state laws or rules related to the licensure of postsecondary institutions, and complaints related to the quality of education or other state or accreditation requirements. If a student has attempted to address their concerns through the methods above and those methods have not adequately addressed their concerns, a student may file a complaint at the state, regional, or national level with the following agencies:

  • The Federal Student Aid Feedback System is available to file a complaint, report suspicious aid activity, or provide feedback about the federal student aid process, system or federal student aid programs, federal loan servicers, collection agencies or school financial aid administration, marketing and recruitment practices, or the misrepresentation of facts. If you file a complaint with Federal Student Aid and are unsatisfied with your experience, complaints can be reported (by the student) to the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group. The Ombudsman Group is a neutral, informal, and confidential resource to help resolve disputes about your federal student aid. You should contact the Ombudsman Group as a last resort.
  • The Office for Civil Rights, within the U.S. Department of Education, ensures equal access to education and enforces civil rights in our nation’s schools.
  • The Office of the Ohio Attorney General receives and reviews consumer complaints. (Please review more information about Consumer Protection or file a complaint.)
  • The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) is responsible for responding to formal complaints against public, independent non-profit and proprietary institutions of higher education in Ohio.
  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent accrediting body responsible for BW's accreditation.

Additional Resources

There are specific processes in place for students who want to make an appeal detailed in the Student Code of Conduct and Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures.

The Dean of Students Office and Residence Life & Housing receive concerns related to discord among students (e.g., property damage, interpersonal conflict). The University resolves these concerns through multiple conflict resolution options detailed in the Student Handbook.