Creating a Positive Environment:
Handling Student Concerns at Ohio University
At Ohio University, we’re committed to fostering a positive environment for all students to ensure you have the opportunities and support you need to be successful. We take students’ concerns seriously and if something goes wrong, we are committed to addressing issues fairly. This webpage contains information intended to help students identify where they may seek assistance. When you encounter an issue follow these steps:
- Seek resolution through direct dialogue with relevant individuals or offices
- Be open and honest in your communication
- Be an active listener
- Seek information or assistance from an advisor, trusted faculty or staff member
- Consult the Resources listed in the next section
Resources
1. College, Regional Campus, or OHIO Online
Many issues can be most effectively addressed by your college, regional campus, or OHIO Online. Questions or concerns about academic advising, how to contact an academic advisor, or other academic matters should be directed to the advising coordinator for the program, College or Regional Campus Student Services Office.
2. Contact Specific Office or Offices
Some issues may require contact with a specific office or offices:
Academic
College webpages contain information about all of the activities a college, including but not limited to programs, majors, clubs and organizations, career services, and research opportunities.
Specific questions or concerns may be directed to the Advising Coordinator for the program, or your College or Regional Campus Student Services Office.
- Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts: Student Success Services
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Business
- George Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service
- Graduate College
- College of Health Sciences & Professions
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Honors Tutorial College
- Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
- Russ College of Engineering & Technology
- Scripps College of Communication
- University College
- Regional Campuses
Concerns about faculty integrity or misconduct may be brought to the department chair/school director or an associate dean of your college. These may include but are not limited to:
- Instructional Quality (course related issues)
- Faculty conduct or professionalism
In most cases, the courses, curricula and faculty are matters to be addressed by their department chair or school director, before being brought to the dean of their college. Graduate students who are unable to resolve matters with their academic college* may also contact the Graduate College after seeking resolution within the college.”
*Students who are enrolled in an Individual Interdisciplinary Program or Translational Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program should contact Graduate College
- Instructional Quality (course related issues)
- Faculty conduct or professionalism
- Connect with the Student Success Team
- Fixed Tuition and Fees
- Graduate On Time and On Plan
- Lifelong Bobcat Benefits
Academic Services
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Canvas Learning Management System
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Canvas enables students to engage with their coursework, instructors, and peers online in an interactive and efficient way. Canvas is used by your instructors to communicate with you to deliver instruction |
The Office of Information Technology |
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Course Scheduling and Course availability
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This webpage includes links to step-by-step instructions to help you register for classes |
Office of the University Registrar |
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Privacy – student educational records
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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) |
Report a Compliance or Privacy Concern |
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Waitlisting for Classes
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Being on a waitlist means that you are on a list of students who will be enrolled automatically in a class if seats become available and you meet all other requirements. |
Office of the University Registrar |
Campus Climate Concerns
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
A campus climate concern is any act that appears to be or is perceived to be inappropriate by an individual. Such an act may be motivated by race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sex, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status or socioeconomic status. To be considered a concern, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state or local statutes, nor does it have to violate university policy.
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Ohio University strives to create an environment where students, staff, faculty, and families feel that their authentic self is personally accepted, respected, included, and supported in the university environment. We strive for inclusive excellence. Sometimes events, behaviors, or actions that negatively impact the goal of inclusive excellence or sense of belonging at OHIO may occur. We encourage members of our community to come forward to report when they feel there has been a negative impact on the overall campus climate.
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Submit a Report |
Disability Services and Accessibility
Discrimination and Harassment
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Allegations of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, national ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or gender expression, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, status as a parent or foster parent, or genetic information
|
Policy 40.001: Non-discrimination in Education and Employment |
University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance |
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Religious Accommodation
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Policy 40.003:Interim Reasonable Accommodations of Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs and Practices | University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance |
Financial Issues
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
Scholarships, Grants, Loans, and other types of Financial Aid
|
Students who have concerns about financial aid should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. The office can be reached at financial.aid@ohio.edu or 740.593.4141 . In-person or virtual appointments are available with an assigned financial aid advisor. If a complaint is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, there are external resources such as the Office of Federal Student Aid and the Ohio Department of Higher Education . | The Division of Enrollment Management |
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Billing issues or disputes
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The university Bursar is responsible for the billing and collecting of balances owed to the university including student tuition balances that are charged every semester. For help with many questions, visit Bursar's Office Frequently Asked Questions | The Office of the Bursar |
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Residency for tuition purposes - Undergraduate Students
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Ohio Residency requirements for in-state tuition | |
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Residency for tuition purposes - Graduate Students
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Graduate Residency for Tuition Purposes |
Hazing
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Every student at Ohio University has the right to participate in activities and organizations without experiencing hazing. Every member of the Ohio University community has an obligation to report and act on information regarding hazing. |
Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility |
On-campus housing and residence life
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporting Student Misconduct and Violation of the Student Code of Conduct
|
The Student Conduct Process | The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility |
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Dining Plan
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Meal Plans and Meal Plan Options | Culinary Services |
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Housing Contract issues
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Housing and Culinary Services Contract | Housing & Residence Life |
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Request for Exemption from on-campus housing
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Housing & Residence Life Exemption and Termination Process | Housing & Residence Life |
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Residence Hall Damage: billing appeals
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Housing Damage Appeal | Housing & Residence Life |
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Request room change
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Room Change and Roommate Conflicts | Housing & Residence Life |
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Roommate Conflicts
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Room Change and Roommate Conflicts | Housing & Residence Life |
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Safety or Maintenance issues in Residence Halls
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Facility Concerns | Housing & Residence Life |
Pregnancy and Related Conditions
Pregnancy and Related Concerns Students may request reasonable modifications based on the following:
- pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation,
- medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, and
- recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.
Pregnancy and Related Concerns
Student employees may request accommodations to support breastfeeding, including reasonable break times to nurse and private spaces to pump breastmilk.
Student Services
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
Campus Care
|
OhioHealth Campus Care is Ohio University’s student health center. All Ohio University undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who are enrolled for one or more credit hours are eligible to use the services. |
Ohio Health Campus Care |
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Mental Health Concerns
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Ohio University seeks to provide a safe and secure environment in which students can pursue their academic and personal goals. The purpose of the CARE Team is to ensure a timely and coordinated university response to students whose behavior is disruptive to others or reflects a credible potential for harm to self or others. |
The Office of the Dean of Students |
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Student Legal Services
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The Center for Student Legal Services provides Ohio University students with a wide range of legal services. | Center for Student Legal Services |
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Transportation and Parking Services
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The Ohio University Transportation & Parking Services Office provides safe, efficient and reliable transportation & parking centered services which align with and support campus needs. | Transportation and Parking Services |
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Privacy of Student Medical Records
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Counseling and Psychological Services |
Report a Compliance or Privacy Concern |
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Plagiarism, or other Academic Misconduct
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Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, un-permitted collaboration, forged attendance (when attendance is required), fabrication (e.g., use of invented information or falsification of research or other findings), using advantages not approved by the instructor (e.g., unauthorized review of a copy of an exam ahead of time), knowingly permitting another student to plagiarize or cheat from one's work, or submitting the same assignment in different courses without consent of the instructor. | |
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Violations of Student Code of Conduct
|
Student Code of Conduct | Community Standards Incident Report Form |
Student Employment
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
Work Study
|
Student Employment | Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: Types of Aid |
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Hourly Student employment
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Human Resources: Student Employment | University Human Resources |
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Graduate Students
|
Graduate Appointment, Employment, and Benefits | Ohio University Graduate College |
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International Student Employment J1 Visa
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Current J-1 Students: Employment
Current F-1 Students: Employment |
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services |
Title IX - Sexual misconduct/harassment
| Issue | For more information | Resources |
|---|---|---|
|
Sex or gender-based discrimination or retaliation
|
Policy 03.004 Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Policy 40.001: Non-discrimination in Education and Employment |
University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance |
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Sexual harassment, assault, or misconduct
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Policy 03.004 Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct | University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance |
3. University Ombuds
If you are not sure who to contact or you didn't find your concern listed here, we've got you covered. The Office of the Ombudsperson can be a good starting point.
The Office of the Ombudsperson is a confidential service open to all students, employees, alumni, parents and community members at Ohio University. The overarching mission of the Office of the Ombudsperson is twofold: to ensure that every member of the university community receives equitable and fair treatment and due process, and to uphold a positive working and learning environment by facilitating informal communication and helping students navigate the options for resolution.
4. Formal Complaints
A formal complaint is a structured process by which a student can report and seek resolution. A formal complaint must be based on a claimed violation of university policy, procedure, or process. A formal complaint must be initiated in writing and contain sufficient information for the appropriate office to review and respond. Formal complaints may not be filed anonymously. Information about how to file a formal complaint may be found on the table of resources, above.
5. EthicsPoint Hotline
Ohio University Ethics Hotline can be used to report concerns of fraud, waste, abuse, or non-compliance with regulations or University policies — anonymously if so desired. This process is managed by the Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance , and additional information can be found on the Office’s website .
If you have concerns about possible fraud, waste, abuse of University assets, or other compliance or regulatory issues, you can file a report from any computer or mobile device on the Ohio University Ethics Hotline , or by calling EthicsPoint toll-free at 1-866-294-9591.
6. External Reporting
If a student believes their complaint has not been adequately addressed by the university, they may have the option to seek assistance from external agencies or organizations.
- Ohio Department of Higher Education Student Complaint Information
- Higher Learning Commission Submit a Complaint to HLC About an Institution
- National Council – State Authorization Reciprocity Act Student Complaints
- Privacy protections of student educational records U.S. Department of Education-Protecting Student Privacy
- Discrimination – Office of Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education) How to File a Complaint
7. Resource Finder: Student Issues Form
If you’re dealing with an issue related to an Ohio University policy or procedure that you are uncertain how to resolve, submitting this electronic form will connect you to someone who can help you find the right person or office to address the issue. While we can’t promise a specific outcome, we’re here to help you navigate university procedures.
Once you submit the form, it will be sent to the appropriate academic or administrative department for review.
Your information will be respected and kept as private as possible while addressing the issue, ensuring campus safety, and complying with any legal requirements.
If this is an emergency, please call Ohio University Police at 740.593.1911 or dial 9-1-1.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Ohio University is committed to protecting the confidentiality and privacy of students involved in complaint procedures. Information related to complaints will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.