Franciscan University takes seriously the challenge to love each member of the Franciscan University family as a brother or sister in Christ created in the image and likeness of the Creator. Because of the inherent dignity of each person, the University community strives to love, respect, and serve each student we encounter and provide them with every opportunity to grow and succeed personally and professionally.
In addition to our fraternal commitment to our students, Franciscan University participates in Federal student aid programs, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, which has amended the Higher Education Act (HEA) authorizing the “Program Integrity Rule.” This amendment provides, among other things, regulations associated with the federal student financial aid program which require colleges or universities that are authorized to offer postsecondary education in one or more states to ensure access to a complaint process (see 34 CFR 668.43(b)) that will permit student consumers to address the following:
- Alleged violation of State consumer protection laws that include, but are not limited to, fraud and false advertising;
- Alleged violations of State laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and
- Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
To both serve the needs of our students and comply with this regulation, Franciscan University provides the following information to our prospective and current students.
Filing Complaints at Franciscan University of Steubenville
From time to time, a student may feel it necessary to bring a concern or complaint to the attention of the university. The student should first approach the university employee most closely involved with the matter to seek resolution. Students must initiate and represent their own complaints or concerns, but they may elect to have an advocate present in formal proceedings for support and advice. A complaint may be informal or formal.
Informal
For informational purposes only. This can be done either verbally or in writing. If the concern or complaint is in writing, it may be submitted anonymously or signed. However, the person to whom the concern or complaint is directed is not required to respond to the student regarding action or lack of action taken.
Formal
For intended action. The complaint must be clearly defined in writing, including all relevant facts and the desired outcome, and may not be anonymous. The university employee(s) responsible for handling the complaint will provide a response to the complainant regarding the action or lack of action taken. Formal complaints will follow either the non-academic or academic complaint process.
Non-Academic Complaint Process
If, after approaching the university employee most directly associated with the concern, the issue remains unresolved, or if this step is not practical, the student may then address the matter with any executive director, any vice president, or the president of the university. The concern or complaint must be clearly defined. Once a formal concern or complaint is received, it is the responsibility of the major administrator to coordinate a response to the person lodging the complaint or concern.
Non-academic incident report forms are available from a residence director or from Campus Security.
Academic Student Complaints or Concerns
Students should first bring complaints or concerns to the attention of the university faculty member most closely involved with the concern or complaint for resolution. If the student is unable to address the faculty member or if the resolution is considered by the student to be unfair or inaccurate, the student may advance his or her concern to the department chair and then to the school dean, if necessary. The unedited, formal complaint will be forwarded to the faculty member. The faculty will be given 14 days to respond before any formal action is taken. Concerns may be brought to the Provost if the issue involves the school dean.
Complaint Resolution
The University does not guarantee that the student who lodges the concern or complaint will be satisfied with the team member’s action. However, we do assure students that a good faith effort will be put forth by the team member to reach a satisfactory resolution of the concern or complaint.
The University is required to keep a log of student complaints on file and make it available to its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission; however, individual identities are shielded to assure anonymity.
Filing Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct/Violence Complaints at Franciscan University of Steubenville
Students who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct/violence on or off campus may file the complaint with the University Title IX Coordinator, Beth Gaughan. She can be contacted at 740-283-4338 or [email protected] or in 154 Egan Hall.
Filing Complaints Outside of Franciscan University of Steubenville
If a complaint has not been properly addressed within Franciscan University of Steubenville, it may be filed with other organizations at the national, state, or regional levels.
National
For information on filing a complaint in regard to civil rights violations or discrimination, visit U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights website.
State of Ohio
Franciscan University of Steubenville is authorized by name in statute as an approved institution of higher education in the State of Ohio. Students and online students residing in Ohio as well as prospective students with complaints may contact the Ohio Department of Higher Education or visit their website for information regarding the complaint resolution process through the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Other States
Online students residing in a SARA state outside of Ohio, may appeal to the Ohio SARA Portal Entity.
Institutional and Academic Program Accreditors
Franciscan University of Steubenville is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Contact HLC at [email protected] or visit their website for information on filing a complaint regarding Franciscan University of Steubenville.
For information on filing a complaint regarding:
- The business programs at Franciscan University of Steubenville, contact their accreditor, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), or visit the IACBE website.
- The clinical and mental health counseling program at Franciscan University of Steubenville, contact their accreditor, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), or visit the CACREP website.
- The education preparation programs at Franciscan University of Steubenville, contact their accreditor, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), or visit the CAEP website.
- The nursing programs at Franciscan University of Steubenville, contact their accreditor, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or visit the CCNE website.
- The social work program at Franciscan University of Steubenville, contact their accreditor, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or visit the CSWE website.
