UMBC participates in Federal student aid programs that are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Participating institutions must be legally authorized to operate with the state in which it is located.
Title 34 CFR §600.9 requires states to have a “process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State laws.” Title 34 CFR §668.43(b) requires that institutions, “make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.”
To comply with this regulation, UMBC makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally, using policies and procedures primarily outlined on the UMBC Policy Page, in the University Catalogs and in the Student Affairs Welcome Guide. Students are expected to familiarize themselves and fully utilize any and all administrative policies, procedures and/or resources provided by UMBC.
Guiding Principles
- UMBC promotes a campus community that is grounded on several values including integrity, respect, and civility.
- UMBC strives to provide students a positive academic experience by creating a collegial environment in which questions/concerns may be resolved internally in a fair and timely manner.
- If a question or concern arises, students are encouraged to first seek resolution by scheduling a meeting (preferably face-to-face) with the faculty, staff, administrator, office or designated point of contact involved.
- If a question or concern is not satisfactorily resolved with the faculty, staff, administrator, office or designated point of contact involved, students are then encouraged to schedule a meeting with the next level supervisor.
- In rare instances when a matter continues to go unresolved, and all earlier attempts to find a resolution have been exhausted, the next level supervisor or appropriate senior level administrator who provides broad oversight to the individual/office involved may be contacted for assistance.
Student Complaint Resolution – Points of Contact by Category
Below is a comprehensive list of policies, procedures and points of contacts for UMBC students.
In the event that it is unclear whom to contact to seek resolution, undergraduate students may consult with Dr. Amanda Knapp, Associate Vice Provost and Assistant Dean, Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and graduate students may consult with Dr. Jeffrey Halverson, Associate Dean in the Graduate School.
Undergraduate Academics
- Academic Actions (Probation, Suspension, Dismissal and Reinstatement Procedures)
- Undergraduate Academic Policy Petitions – Academic Standards and Policy Administration
- Exception to Enrollment Policy Appeal Request
- Undergraduate Procedures for the Review of Final Course Grades Alleged to be Arbitrary and Capricious
- Policy on the Awarding of Undergraduate Transfer Credit
- Undergraduate Catalog – Rights and Regulations
Graduate Academics
- Academic Grading Policies and Academic Progress
- Exception to Enrollment Policy Appeal Request
- Graduate Catalog – Rights and Regulations
- Policies and Procedures for the Appeal of Academic Dismissal
- Graduate Student Mediation Procedures
- Graduate Student – Policies and Procedures for Student Academic Misconduct
- Procedural Guidelines for Handling Allegations of Arbitrary and Capricious Grading in Graduate Courses
- Whom do I contact Graduate Resource
Administrative
- Dining Services – Be Heard
- Facilities Management – Work Request
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Information Technology
- Parking Services
- Registrar’s Office
- Student Business Services
- Transportation Services
Campus Safety
Disclosure of Student Records
Human Relations
- Child Protection
- Disability
- Discrimination Complaint Procedure
- Discrimination Complaint Form
- Title IX – Sexual Misconduct
Student Affairs – Life on Campus
- Athletics
- Counseling Center
- Off-Campus Student Services
- Residential Life and Housing
- Student Conduct and Community Standards
- UMBC Code of Student Conduct
- Retriever Integrated Health (RIH)
Student Disability Services
In the unlikely event that an issue cannot be resolved by UMBC, students may file a complaint with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) which is the State Licensing Authority in Maryland.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Fax: (410) 332-0270
Telephone: (410) 260-4500
Unresolved complaints may also be filed with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the University’s regional accrediting agency, once all other avenues have been exhausted.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (267) 284-5000
E-mail: info@msche.org Spanish: españolinfo@msche.org
A complaint pertaining to potential violations of consumer protection may be submitted to:
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
200 Saint Paul Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Telephone: 410-528-8662
A complaint concerning discrimination may be submitted to:
Office of Civil Rights
Philadelphia Office
U.S. Department of Education
100 Penn Square East – Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323
Telephone: 215-656-8541