Student Complaints
LeTourneau University desires to resolve student concerns and complaints in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. In the instance that a concern exists, this page outlines the processes any student can follow. The full policy for nontraditional students can be found in the current catalog.
Informal Student Concerns
It is the wish of the University to provide an education and services of high quality to its students and to provide equity and harmony in the application of university policies and procedures. When a student has a concern, resolution should be sought through informal communication with the appropriate instructor or administrative officer who may be able to help rectify or clarify the situation before a formal written complaint is initiated. Concerns expressed by students should be addressed by the person receiving the concern, to the best of their ability, assisted by the appropriate office on campus who handles the issue of concern and/or the supervisor of the faculty or staff member hearing the concern. Informal student concerns include items expressed verbally or in an electronic format such as email, texting, etc.
Who should I contact?
Type of Complaint |
Contact |
Academic (About courses or instructors) |
Director of the Educational Center (Online, ETX, DAL, HOU, etc.) |
Grade Appeal |
Your instructor first, then the Director of the Educ Center if it is not resolved |
Sexual Harassment |
Vice President of Enrollment Services |
Disciplinary Appeals |
Vice President of Enrollment Services |
The following link to administrative officers of different areas that serve the non-traditional student population is provided to assist the student in contacting the correct office. If the student is unsure of who to contact, the student is encouraged to contact the office of the Vice President of Enrollment Services.
If a grade appeal is not resolved to the student's satisfaction after being addressed by the Director of the Educational Center, then the student has the right to appeal the matter to the Vice President of Enrollment Services, per the instructions found in the catalog. No further appeal is available beyond the VP of Enrollment Services.
Disciplinary appeals should follow the policies outlined in the catalog.
Formal Complaints
A student who wishes to lodge a formal complaint with the University must complete and submit a Formal Written Student Complaint, which will be addressed by a cabinet level officer. The formal complaint should include a narrative description of the complaint, the date(s) which the problem became evident, and a statement of the desired resolution. Specific information about the formal written complaint form and procedures can be found HERE.
Sexual Harassment
Complaints regarding sexual harassment should follow the policies outlined in the catalog. LeTourneau University regards sexual harassment as unacceptable behavior that will not be tolerated. A basic definition of sexual harassment includes "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." It is the University's commitment to provide equal opportunity in education and employment, and to maintain an environment in which all employees and students can pursue their work free from coercion, intimidation, and exploitation. Sexual harassment is a form of discriminatory misconduct that harms the very environment we seek to maintain.
Student Complaints to External Agencies
Students should exhaust the avenues of communicating informal student concerns and Formal Written Student Complaints before filing a complaint with the appropriate regulatory agency, such as accrediting bodies and/or appropriate state government agencies. If a complaint is not satisfactorily resolved internally, the student may then file a complaint with the external agency. Generally, the accrediting bodies and state agencies require that students exhaust internal complaint processes before considering a complaint.
LeTourneau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of LeTourneau University. The Commission is to be contacted with a complaint only if there is evidence that appears to support the institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard, according to the form and procedure on the website: www.sacscoc.org.
Students who would like to make a complaint to the appropriate agency for the state of Texas should contact the Consumer Protection Division at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
Students enrolled in online programs who live outside of Texas should contact the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state. A PDF document listing the states that LeTourneau serves and the corresponding state agency contact information for states outside of Texas can be found HERE.
Students who think that LeTourneau University is in violation of federal laws concerning discrimination against a person with a disability or a member of a protected class should contact the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-1100 or www.ed.gov/ocr.
