StudentComplaints
Trinidad State College is committed to open, effective communication and respect for every member of our college community. If you have a concern, here is how to raise it, what to expect, and who can help.
Choose the Right Path
Ways to File a Complaint
Different kinds of concerns follow different procedures. Pick the option that best matches your situation.
Most Common
General Student Complaint
For concerns that a college policy or procedure was violated or applied unfairly and it personally affected you.
Discrimination or Harassment
For complaints of discrimination and/or harassment based on federal or state civil rights laws, refer to the college’s civil rights procedure.
Sexual Misconduct
To file a complaint or report sexual misconduct, or for information about sexual misconduct, discrimination, violence against women, or harassment.
Last Resort
Colorado Dept. of Higher Education
The state asks students to complete the college’s complaint process first. If your concern remains unresolved, you may file with CDHE.
Start with a conversation
Many concerns can be resolved through open, honest dialogue between the people involved. Trinidad State encourages students to first bring concerns to the individual or department where the concern resides. When that isn’t possible, the Student Complaint Procedure can help reach a resolution—and gives you a way to raise issues you feel warrant action by the college.
What to Expect
How the Complaint Process Works
File as soon as possible after the occurrence. A long delay can make a concern harder to investigate and address.
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Try to resolve it informally
Talk directly with the people or office involved. The Vice President of Student Affairs or a designee can help facilitate that conversation.
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Submit your complaint in writing
If the informal route doesn’t work, or if you or the college choose not to use it, submit a written complaint to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, electronically or in hard copy.
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Your complaint is routed
It goes to the appropriate division (Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Administrative Services, or Administration). An administrator decides whether the college can address it; if not, you will be notified.
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Meetings and review
The administrator meets with you and with the person(s) the complaint concerns. Both sides may share documentation, witnesses, or other information.
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You receive a written decision
Based on a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), the administrator affirms or denies the complaint and, if affirmed, suggests a resolution.
What to include
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Your name and contact information -
A clear, concise description of the concern -
The remedy or outcome you are seeking -
Supporting materials, in writing -
Any informal efforts you made to resolve it
Meetings are administrative, not legal proceedings, so neither party may bring representation.
The Details
Definitions & Full Procedure
Select a topic to expand the complete procedure language.
- Complaint
- A complaint can be filed regarding any alleged action which violates or inequitably applies CCCS State Board Policies, System President’s Procedures, or TSC College Procedures. The student filing the complaint must be personally affected by the violation or inequitable action.
- Non-grievable complaint
- Matters over which the college has no authority to act; grades and other academic decisions unless there is an allegation that the decision was motivated by discrimination and/or harassment.
- Vice President of Student Affairs
- The person at TSC to whom student complaints are initially directed and who will assure that the complaint is communicated to the appropriate party for investigation and resolution.
All complaints should be filed as soon as possible after the occurrence. A significant delay in reporting can make it more difficult to investigate and address a concern.
The complaint must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and must include the name and contact information for the student who is communicating the concern. The complaint should clearly and concisely describe the concern and the desired remedy. Supporting materials should be submitted in writing as soon as possible, including information on any informal efforts to resolve the issue.
The Trinidad State community benefits from both informal and formal procedures that encourage the prompt resolution of complaints and concerns that students may have about the implementation of the policies and procedures that govern the college.
Once a timely complaint is filed with the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, the complaint will be directed to the division of the college within which the complaint resides (Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Administrative Services, or Administration). The appropriate administrator will determine if the complaint can be addressed by the college. If it is determined that the concern is non-grievable, the student who filed the complaint will be notified.
If the matter can be addressed by the college, the appropriate administrator will request a meeting with the student filing the complaint and with the individual(s) to whom the complaint is directed. Both parties will be given the opportunity to discuss the allegations and offer documentation, witnesses, or other information pertinent to the complaint. The administrator may also request meetings with other relevant individuals as part of the investigation. Neither party is allowed representation in the meetings as they are administrative and not legal proceedings.
Based on a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), the administrator will issue a decision, in writing, to both the student with the concern and the individual to whom the concern is directed. The decision will affirm or deny the merits of the complaint, and if affirmed, will suggest a resolution.
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE), which governs the 13 state system colleges, including Trinidad State.
Downloads & References
Forms & Policies
The TSC Complaint Form can be submitted electronically or in hard copy to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Need help filing?
Questions about the process? Contact the Vice President or Dean of Students.
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