Student Appeals and Complaints

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has established accessible policies and procedures for the filing and review of student appeals and complaints. Students are encouraged to address concerns themselves, seeking amiable resolution of disagreements, before turning to formal grievance procedures. 

Student Appeals

A student's appeal is a request for faculty and/or administrators to review and overturn a prior decision.  Information about a few of the more common types of appeals can be found through the following links.  For more information, see one of the contacts listed on this page. 

Student Complaints

Complaints are defined as written statements by students that they have been treated in a manner that contravenes College policy concerning student rights.  Written complaints should be filed using the online forms at the links provided.

Learn more about complaints related to Title IX, Cavs Care or hazing.

For all other complaints, use the Submit a New complaint button.

Submit a New Complaint

Questions about these procedures can be directed to:

Academic

Teresa Swan Tuite
Exec. Director for Student Success
Academic Affairs
Smiddy Hall, 204
276-376-1099
nzt7cn@uvawise.edu

Non-Academic

The Office for Advocacy & Opportunity 
Lower Level, Cantrell Hall 
oao@uvawise.edu 
276-328-0131

Distance Education (NC-SARA)

The University of Virginia's College at Wise participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which allows the College to offer distance education to students in other SARA member states. In accordance with SARA policy, students enrolled in courses that are subject to SARA regulations should first attempt to resolve any complaints through the institution's complaint procedures described above.

If the complaint is not resolved through the institution's internal complaint process, the resolution of the complaint (except for complaints regarding grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed, within two years of the incident giving rise to the complaint, to either:

  • the SARA State Portal Entity (SPE) for Virginia, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), or
  • the SARA State Portal Entity (SPE) for the state in which the student is located.

SARA-related complaints are not subject to mandatory arbitration agreements, even if such agreements are used for other types of disputes; arbitration cannot be applied to complaints covered by SARA policy. In addition, SARA member states retain the authority to investigate fraud, misrepresentation, or other illegal activity, regardless of where the institution is based. For additional information about SARA, or to file a complaint with the State Portal Entity, please view the NC-SARA State Portal Entity Contact Directory.