The information below is provided to assist current and perspective students as well as the general public in submitting complaints and appeals to the most effective venue for accurate information and resolution.

Grades

Students with complaints regarding grades should first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor, the Department Chair and/or the Dean of the School. If the result of this attempt does not lead to a satisfactory outcome, students may appeal grades to the Office of Academic Affairs. Grade appeal forms are locate on the Academic Affairs Forms web site and should be submitted following procedures listed.

Behavior

Students with complaints regarding another student's behavior must first assess whether the behavior is life threatening and/or is an emergency.

• Life-threatening emergency - first dial "911". Once "911" has been called, the behavior should be reported to the Macon State College Department of Public Safety (Macon - 478-471-2414 or WRC - 478-731-9901).
• Non-life threatening emergency - contact the Macon State College Department of Public Safety (Macon - 478-471-2414 or WRC - 478-731-9901).
• Not an emergency but behavior is of concern - contact the Student Affairs office. Such behaviors may include, but are not limited to, conflicts, sexual harassment, or other issues regarding student conduct.

Money

Business Office - Students wishing to complain or register appeals with the Business Office should contact the Business Office and/or review the information on their web site. A general appeal form is available on the Business Office Forms web site.

Financial Aid Office - Student's wishing to appeal or complain about any action related to financial aid should contact the Office of Financial or review the information listed on their web site. The Financial Aid Forms web site includes appeals forms such as SAP Appeal of FInancial Aid Suspension form and Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension for Graduates and/or Max Time Frame.

Parking

Students wishing to complain or file an appeal regarding parking should contact the Public Safety Office and/or visit their web site. Parking ticket appeals may be appealed through Banner. The directions for filing parking appeals are listed on the Public Safety Parking web site.

Residence Life

Residents who have complaints related to noise, suite-mate conflicts or concerns, guest issues, Code of Conduct violations (alcohol, etc.), non-emergency health concerns, etc., should contact their Resident Assistant (RA) for assistance.  For maintenance concerns, during and after regular business hours, residents are directed to contact the RA or Residence Life staff.  

Students who apply to live on campus and are not accepted or student wishing to appeal the Freshman Residency Policy, may use the forms found on the Residence Life web site.

Student Media

Complaints regarding student newspaper leaders are handled using the policy listed in the Student Newspaper Handbook found on the Student Media web site. Complaints against the Editor-in-chief or members of the newspaper staff should be brought to the Student Media Coordinator in the Student Affairs Office.

FERPA

The Registrar is obligated to ensure that the College adheres strictly to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). On its FERPA web site, the Office of the Registrar advises students of their right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

General Complaints

General complaints or other complaints not included in the items listed above should be addressed to those parties directly involved. If a complaint is not resolved using these means, a formal complaint can be filed using the following website: http://www.maconstate.edu/facultystaff/reporting.aspx . The reporting system on this web site is confidential and easy to use. Global Compliance, a third-party provider specializing in this type of service, operates this system. Once a complaint is received from Global Compliance, a review is initiated at the College level within seven working days of its receipt. Complaints will be resolved in a timely manner and within a reasonable time frame in accordance with the nature of the complaint. Individuals who file complaints are advised when appropriate action has been taken.

Accreditation

Macon State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about this accreditation. Note: The Commission should only be contacted 1) to learn about the institution's accreditation status, 2) to file a third-party comment at the time of the institution's accreditation review, or 3) to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement.