Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances
Student Concerns
Students who have an issue they would like resolved at the University may begin an informal process to address their concern. Student concerns are defined as being generally minor in nature and can be addressed through informal communication processes such as emails, conversations, and meetings. The University recommends that students attempt to resolve these concerns directly with the person or office involved in the matter. This is the easiest way to receive a quick resolution. Students who do not feel comfortable meeting directly with a faculty or staff member may obtain a Student Concerns form by contacting the University or studentsupport@fullsail.com. Once the form is received, the Student Resolutions team will notify the appropriate parties, and the informal resolution process will begin.
Student Concerns Resolution Process
Academic Concerns
Education leadership has been designated the school’s contact for academic concerns. If a student has a concern related to academics, the University strongly recommends them to schedule a meeting with their program faculty member, Department Chair, or Program Director to address the issue promptly. If the matter remains unresolved in the initial meeting, the student can obtain a Student Concerns form by contacting the University or emailing studentsupport@fullsail.com. Upon submitting the form, a response acknowledging receipt will be provided within seventy-two hours. Education leadership will then contact the student for additional information or to notify them of the case closure.
Non-Academic Concerns
Students with non-academic concerns should schedule a meeting with the department management to address the issue promptly. If the matter remains unresolved in the initial meeting, the student can obtain a Student Concerns form by contacting the University or emailing studentsupport@fullsail.com. Upon submitting the form, a response acknowledging receipt will be provided within seventy-two hours. Department leadership will then contact the student for additional information or to notify them of the case closure.
Formal Complaints and Grievances
Student issues that are more serious and involve an allegation of a policy violation are called Complaints or Grievances. These are resolved through a formal process, which requires filing a written notification. This notification must include details of the nature of the complaint, policy violation, dates, witnesses, and desired resolution. There are different types of complaints that require different forms to be completed.
General Complaint
The University is committed to addressing formal complaints in a prompt and effective manner. In the event that a student feels their concern is more substantial than can be addressed on the Student Concerns form and it is not satisfactorily addressed in a meeting with the appropriate staff/faculty member, a student may file a formal, General Complaint. Students may acquire a Formal Complaint Form on Full Sail One, by contacting the school, or by emailing studentsupport@fullsail.com. Upon submission of the form, the student will receive confirmation within seventy-two hours. The Director of Academic Success will fully and fairly review the complaint and communicate the status of the complaint to the student within thirty days of receiving the complaint. The Director of Academic Success may be reached at fcg@fullsail.com.
ADA/Accommodations Complaint
Students who are registered with the Student Success Services department as having a qualifying disability may have concerns related to accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Information on submitting these complaints is listed in this manual under the section entitled Discrimination Grievance/Complaint Procedures.
Title IX Complaint
All complaints regarding sexual misconduct and gender equity are handled by the University’s Title IX staff. Title IX guidelines and the form for submitting a Title IX complaint can be found at https://www.fullsail.edu/policies-and-guidelines/title-ix. Further information about Title IX complaints is available in this manual under the section entitled Sexual Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures.
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission. All complaints reviewed by the Commission must be in written form and should grant permission for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response. This can be accomplished by filing the ACCSC Complaint Form. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission. Please direct ACCSC inquiries to:
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302
- Arlington, VA 22201
- (703) 247-4212
- www.accsc.org
- complaints@accsc.org
A copy of the ACCSC Complaint Form is available at the school and may be obtained by contacting complaints@accsc.org or at https://www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/complaints.aspx.
Florida, Department of Education, Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
Students may contact the Commission for Independent Education as the last resort for grievances after all other avenues have been contacted and a satisfactory resolution has not been made.
Florida Commission for Independent Education
- 325 West Gaines St., Suite 1414
- Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
- (850) 245-3200
Out-of-State Online Students
Out-of-state distance-education students participating under SARA who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process may appeal noninstructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit: https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints.