Student Complaint Guidelines

Also see:  File a Complaint

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education Program Integrity Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 600.9, Fort Scott Community College has a process to review and respond to student complaints.  The college seeks to resolve all/any student complaints in a timely and effective manner and adheres to procedures for resolving academic and non-academic concerns.  Steps, timelines and resolution processes are addressed through administrative procedures described in detail in the academic catalog, and student handbook.

For assistance on the complaint processes, please contact the college using the contact information below:

Dean of Students
2108 S. Horton St.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223-2700 ext. 3500
vanessap@fortscott.edu

Vice President of Academic Affairs
2108 S. Horton St.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223-2700 ext.3400
soniag@fortscott.edu

Resources
In addition, the following resources are available to students:

Consumer protection and/or fraud complaints may be filed with the Kansas Attorney General’s office at https://www.ag.ks.gov/

Discrimination complaints may be filed with the Kansas Human Rights Commission at http://www.khrc.net/

Complaints regarding State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) courses delivered by SARA member community college maybe filed by students enrolled in those courses with the Kansas Board of Regents office at https://www.kansasregents.org/

Fort Scott Community College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).  Complaints regarding an institution’s ongoing ability to meet the criteria of accreditation may be filed by following the following guidelines at https://www.hlcommission.org/for-students/file-a-complaint-against-an-institution/

Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College was created as authorized by and in accordance with state law by action of the community it serves.  The college is a political subdivision of the state and has taxing authority.  By statute, FSCC has an elected board that governs the college and answers to its constituencies, and this state-created trustee board handles all/any student complaints that cannot be resolved by the college’s administrative procedures.

It is expected that students will fully utilize the college’s administrative procedures to address complaints.  On occasion, however, a student may believe these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed concerns.  If after exhausting all available institutional resources a student’s complaint remains unresolved, the student may make a complaint to the FSCC Board of Trustees in writing, by completing and submitting a board complaint form.

The Board will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 10 business days and determine if additional information is required.  The board will communicate its plan to the complainant (s) for investigating and resolving the complaint.  The board will send a written response, typically within 45 days of receipt of the complaint, explain the investigation and resolution.  Complainant (s) will receive an update if the investigation and resolution take longer than 45 days.

If a student has a question pertaining to a complaint made to the FSCC Board of Trustees, please contact the Office of the President at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5200.