Drexel University believes that students should be made aware of how to file a complaint for perceived violations of rules, policies, civility or established practice by university employees or fellow students should that become necessary. Mindful of that pledge the university is committed to the development and maintenance of processes for the good faith review and resolution of student complaints that will:

• Encourage resolution of alleged violations using prescribed/informal procedures at the unit level;
• Allow for a resolution mechanism if not resolved informally within the unit; and
• Facilitate the understanding that once the final decision has been rendered, it is not subject to further appeal within the university.

It is the university’s commitment that retaliation against any individual who has filed a complaint, or who has cooperated in the investigation of a complaint, is unlawful and in violation of Drexel University policy. 

Prescribed Resolution

Drexel University defines a prescribed or informal resolution of a student complaint as a mutually satisfactory agreement between the unit, program, department, individual or office where the incident is alleged to have occurred, and the complainant. Based on the successful conclusion of the matter on the part of both parties, no further action is warranted, and the matter is considered closed by both the complainant and the unit, program, department, individual or office of the university involved.

If an issue arises for you, the first step in the procedure is to seek an informal or prescribed solution as described above. That means that the student should first arrange a meeting with the faculty, administrator or staff involved to resolve the issue in an appropriate, equitable and respectful manner. If the issue is not resolved in a mutually satisfactory manner, the meeting may be followed up with the faculty, administrator or staff’s direct supervisor.