Grievance Procedures

It is the intent of SSU to provide this grievance procedure in order that these serious concerns might be resolved completely and amicably. We, therefore fully intend that these internal remedies be exhausted prior to the filing of any legal action.

Students and Employees who feel that a decision by a Health Services staff member or a Professor/Supervisor does not fully comply with federal FERPA legislation should follow the appropriate procedure as outlined below:

Complaints by Students of FERPA Violations by Health Services

Students should first meet with the Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner of Health Services and attempt to resolve the problem informally. It is anticipated that most questions will be resolved in this way.Cases unresolved at the level may be appealed to the Director of Student Development. The Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner of Health Services will assist the student in making an appointment with and will forward materials relevant to the complaint to the Director of Student Development. The Director of Student Development will meet with the student in an attempt to resolve the compliant. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Director of Student Development, the student will be assisted in appealing to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and will forward all relevant materials to Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs will meet with the student and attempt to resolve the appeal. If the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and the student are not successful, the student will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs, then the President of the University and ultimately to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

Complaints by Students of FERPA Violations by Faculty

Students who feel that a faculty member has violated their rights under federal FERPA legislation should first meet with the Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner to register their complaint. If the Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner feels the incident demands further investigation, an informal inquiry begins by discussing the allegations(s) with that faculty member. It is anticipated that most perceived violations would be resolved at this point, through discussion with the faculty member of the relevant legislation and appropriate methods of accommodating students' documented health-related issue.

The Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner of Health Services will inform the student and the faculty member of any agreed-upon actions on the part of all parties, with a copy to the Director of Student Development. Cases unresolved at this level may be appealed to the Director of Student Development. The Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner of Health Services will assist the student in making an appointment with the Director of Student Development and will forward materials relevant to the complaint to the Dean of that particular College. The Director of Student Development will also be notified that the complaint has been unresolved and will receive copies of information related to the complaint.

The Clinical Lead/Nurse Practitioner and Director of Student Development will meet with the student in an attempt to resolve the complaint. If the student is not satisfied with the decision, they will assist the student in appealing to the Dean and will forward all relevant materials to the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs will meet with the student and attempt to resolve the appeal. If the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and the student are not successful, the student will be referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President and ultimately to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.