Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Student Handbook 
    
2022-2023 Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Notice To All Students


This Student Handbook presents information and policies in effect at the time of publication. The College reserves the right to make changes in rules and regulations affecting students, which will become effective whenever determined proper by the Institution. Reasonable notice will be given to students regarding any changes in the Student Handbook. All updates and/or corrections will be posted in the online version of the Student Handbook, which will supersede previous written copies. Changes will govern current, former, and prospective students. This Student Handbook is not intended to state contractual terms and does not constitute a contract between the student and the Institution.

Cleveland State Community College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) institution committed to the education of a nonracially identifiable staff and student body. The college does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious views, veteran status, political affiliation, gender, age, national origin orientation or disability against employees, students and guests in any college-sponsored or -hosted educational program or activity including, but not limited to, the following: recruitment, admissions, academic and other educational program activities, housing, facilities, access to course offerings, counseling, financial assistance, employment assistance, health and insurance benefits and services, rules for marital and parental status, student services and athletics.

Cleveland State Community College is committed to making the campus accessible to students with disabilities. Handicapped parking spaces in each parking area are clearly marked.

Students with disabilities who need accommodations are asked to contact the Coordinator of Disability Support Services. This office is located in Room 118 of the George L. Mathis Student Center, (423) 478-6217.

Complaints

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, or by going online and filling out the form electronically at http://www.tbr.edu/contact/default.aspx?id=2936

Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org.

Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by email at reportfraud@tbr.edu or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller’s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 1-800-232-5454

Complaints Against Instructors

A student who has a complaint or an issue with a faculty member should first address the issue orally with the faculty member. If there is not a timely and/or mutually agreeable resolution to the issue, the student should then state the complaint or problem in writing to the faculty member. The faculty member will respond to the student’s written complaint within five business days.

If the procedure above is followed, and the student continues to believe that the issue was not resolved appropriately or is not resolved in a timely manner, the student can then forward a copy of the written complaint, with a cover note, to the appropriate division dean. Although the college prefers that issues be first resolved between students and faculty, students may go directly to the dean with an issue or complaint if the student perceives the issue to be too sensitive or too personal to discuss with the faculty member. The dean will respond to the student within five business days. If the situation is not resolvable or not resolved in an appropriate manner and the above steps have been followed, the student may appeal, in writing, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, enclosing copies of previous complaints and responses. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will distribute a decision, in writing, to the student, the faculty member and dean within five business days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Vice President is final.

Reporting Fraud, Waste or Abuse

If you have witnessed an act of fraud, waste or abuse and wish to report it, or would like more information, visit our website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu and click on the “Report Fraud/Waste/Abuse” link near the bottom of the page. You may also call 423-473-2391.