Policy

Ramapo College recognizes a student’s right to file a complaint of a non-academic nature.

Reason for Policy

To provide students with guidance related to filing complaints of a non-academic nature.

To Whom Does the Policy Apply

All Ramapo College students.

Related Documents

Policy 300JJ Student Appeals of an Academic Nature

Contacts

Student Affairs
Office of Affirmative Action and Workplace Compliance
People Operations and Employee Resources Department
Internal Auditor
Department of Public Safety
Office of Employee Relations/Ethics Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Title IX Coordinator
Residence Life
Office of Specialized Services

The College recognizes that students may have occasions to file complaints of a non-academic nature, which include complaints regarding College policies and procedures as well as the behavior of a person or persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor). Before filing complaints of a non-academic nature, students should carefully evaluate the nature of their concerns.

In some instances, students may have concerns that fall under separate College policies and procedures. These concerns include:

1. alleged violations of the laws of the State of New Jersey or the  College’s Code of Conduct. Students should file these concerns in the Public Safety Department, which may refer these concerns to the Office of Student Conduct.
2. alleged violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Governing Students. Students should file these concerns with the Director of Title IX, ADA, and Training Compliance or with the Public Safety Department, which may refer these concerns to the Title IX Coordinator.
3. alleged violations of the Non-Discrimination Policy or NJ State Policy Protecting Discrimination in the Workplace. Students should file these concerns with the Director of Affirmative Action or the Public Safety Department, which may refer these concerns to the Director of Affirmative Action.

Once students contact these individuals or offices, they may be guided to follow the College policies and procedures cited above, which include disciplinary processes. Students have a right to file complaints regarding disciplinary processes and/or appeals of certain disciplinary determinations. The policies and procedures cited above provide details about how to file those complaints and appeals.

In other instances, students may have concerns about the alleged misconduct of persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor) or about the way that offices conduct business. Students are encouraged, whenever appropriate and feasible, to resolve those concerns directly with the individuals involved.

In those instances that do not fall under the provisions in sections 1 and 2, students may file complaints, which include:

• alleged misconduct of persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor) or the way that offices conduct business that cannot be resolved directly with the individuals involved. Students should file these complaints with the managers of the relevant units. If students have cause for not directing their complaints to those managers, they may file their complaints with the Internal Auditor (if the complaints involve alleged misuse of College funds or other resources/Whistleblower Policy) or the People Operations and Employee Resources Department (if the complaints involve professional conduct of non-faculty College employees).
• outcomes of disability-related accommodation requests filed through the Office of Specialized Services. Students should appeal to the College’s Director of Title IX, ADA, and Training Compliance.
• alleged ethical misconduct of employees. These complaints should be guided by the State of New Jersey’s Uniform Ethics Code or Ramapo College’s Code of Professional Responsibility. Students should file these complaints with the College’s General Counsel.
• alleged violations of the College’s Guide to Community Living. Students should file these complaints with the Office of Residence Life.
• Alleged violations of the standards advanced by the College’s instituional accrediting body.

Note: Students who have complaints about grades or other issues of an academic nature should refer to Policy and Procedure 300-JJ: Student Appeals of an Academic Nature.