STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES - The primary objectives of the Student Complaint and Grievance policies and procedures are to ensure that students have the opportunity to present complaints and process grievances regarding certain action(s), inaction(s), and/or communications by a member of the ORU community and that the ORU has a consistent and orderly process for resolving those complaints or grievances in a fair and just manner.
Generally, a complaint is when a student believes that he or she has been discriminated against, harassed, or otherwise has suffered from conduct or communication based upon protected status or rights in violation of ORU policy and/or applicable law. A grievance is generally a student’s objection to or disagreement about an adverse consequence that the student reasonably believes results from an unfair or improper action or decision by the administration, faculty, staff, or another student. Every student shall have the right to present his or her complaint or grievance in accordance with established policies and procedures in order to seek redress free from interference, coercion, restraint, discrimination, or reprisal. In the spirit of Christ, the ORU encourages the resolution of grievances through informal means and discussion aimed at seeking a resolution satisfactory to all parties involved. The ORU is also committed to a formal procedure for consideration of grievances that are not resolved through informal processes. ORU has established several situation-specific grievance and complaint formats based on the categories below:
1. Academic Grievance Policy
2. Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Assault
3. Student Conduct and Discipline Grievances.
If you have a general student complaint/grievance that does not fit under one of the aforementioned categories, or if you have questions about filing a complaint/grievance, you may contact The Office of Student Life at 918.495.7703 or via e-mail at dboyes@oru.edu. ORU retains the final determination of which of these categories a student complaint or grievance will be processed.
Academic Grievance Process -Grievances shall be presented and processed in a timely manner and moved toward closure with an appropriate balance of deliberation and speed. Academic grievances must be submitted within 90 days of the complaint. During the regular semesters, the appeal will normally be reviewed by the relevant party within two (2) weeks of its receipt. The process will move forward to the final decision as rapidly as possible. During times between regular semesters (summer, January), the review of the appeal may be delayed until the relevant people are available.
Grievance Based On Faculty Member’s Academic Decision
Step 1: Consultation with Faculty Member
A student with an academic grievance against a faculty member shall meet with the
faculty member and present the grievance, verbally or in writing. Both student and
faculty members shall make a “good faith” effort to resolve the grievance. Most cases
will be resolved at this level.
Step 2: Appeal to the Chair of the Academic Department
If the grievance is unresolved at the faculty level (Step 1), the student may present
a written grievance to the Chair of the Academic Department in which the faculty teaches
or in which the course is offered. The Department Chair will contact the students
and the faculty member, or others, to gather information regarding the merits of the
appeal. The Chair meets with both parties to resolve the issue. The Department Chair
provides his or her written response to the student and others as appropriate.
Step 3: Appeal to the Dean of the College
If the grievance is unresolved at the Department Chair level (Step 2), the student
may present his or her grievance to the Dean of the College. The Dean shall collect
more material as necessary and seek an informal resolution. The Dean may convene an
advisory committee to review and recommend to the Dean. The Dean provides his or her
written response to the student and others as appropriate.
Step 4: Request to the Provost for Administrative Review
Should the student believe the Dean’s decision to be contrary to ORU policy, procedure,
or applicable standards, he or she has the right to seek an Administrative Review
by the Provost. The provost may convene an advisory committee to review and make recommendations
to the provost. The provost shall provide a written response to the students and others
as appropriate.
Step 5: Request a Hearing with the ORU Student Disciplinary/Academic Grievance Committee.
Ultimately, the student may submit to the provost a written request for a hearing
with the ORU Student Disciplinary/Academic Grievance Committee (“Committee’). Approval
for such a hearing is granted at the discretion of the provost. For academic appeal
matters, the Committee comprises the provost or designee as Chair, a faculty representative,
the Vice President for Student Life, the Dean of Spiritual Formation, and the ORU
President or designee. The student may be present during portions of the hearing by
the Committee and has the right to present testimony regarding the grievance. An advocate
may accompany the student but may not be represented by legal counsel. The Committee
will submit a written response to the students and others as appropriate. The decision
by the Committee is final.
Appeal Of Academic Decision by A Department
Step 1: Appeal to the Department Chair or Graduate School Associate Dean
If a student desires to appeal a decision of an academic department or graduate school,
he or she first submits a written appeal to the Department Chair. If a committee within
the department made the original decision, the Department Chair or Graduate School
Associate Dean will forward the appeal to the committee. The committee chair will
contact the students to discuss the students’ concerns and the relevant departmental
or graduate school policies and procedures. In most cases, the issue will be resolved
at this level.
Step 2: Appeal to the Dean of the College
If the issue is not resolved at the department or graduate school level (Step 1),
the student may submit a written appeal to the college dean. The Dean will consult
with the Department Chair or Graduate School Associate Dean, contact the relevant
parties, and gather pertinent information. The Dean may convene an advisory committee
to review and recommend to the Dean. The Dean will provide a written response to the
students and others as appropriate.
Step 3: Request to the Provost for Administrative Review
Should the student believe the academic decision to be contrary to ORU policies or
procedures, he or she has the right to seek an Administrative Review by the Provost.
The provost may convene an advisory committee to review and recommend to the provost.
The provost shall provide a written response to the students, the Department Chair
or Graduate School Associate Dean, and the College Dean.
Step 4: Request Hearing with the ORU Student Disciplinary/Academic Grievance.
Ultimately, the student may submit a written request for a hearing with the Committee.
Approval for such a hearing is granted at the discretion of the provost. The student
may be present during portions of the hearing by the Committee and has the right to
present testimony regarding the grievance. An advocate may accompany the student but
not be represented by legal counsel. The Committee will submit a written response
to the students and others as appropriate. The decision by the Committee is final.
Appeal of Academic Decision by A College
Step 1: Appeal to the Dean
If a student desires to appeal a college decision, he or she first submits a written
appeal to the Dean. If a committee within the college made the original decision,
the Dean will forward the appeal to the committee. The committee chair will contact
the students to discuss the students’ concerns and the relevant college policies and
procedures. In most cases, the issue will be resolved at this level. The chair of
the committee will submit a written report to the Dean. The Dean may convene an advisory
committee to review and recommend to the Dean. The Dean will contact relevant parties,
gather information, and provide a written response to the student.
Step 2: Request to the Provost for Administrative Review
Should the student believe the academic decision to be contrary to ORU policy or procedure,
he or she has the right to seek an Administrative Review by the Provost. The provost
may convene an advisory committee to review and recommend to the provost. The provost
shall provide a written response to the students and others as appropriate.
Step 3: Request a Hearing with the Student Disciplinary/Academic Grievance Committee.
Ultimately, the student may submit a written request for a hearing with the Committee.
Approval for such a hearing is granted at the discretion of the provost. The student
may be present at portions of the hearing by the Committee and have the right to present
testimony regarding the grievance. An advocate may accompany the student but may not
be represented by legal counsel. The Committee will submit a written response to the
students and others as appropriate. The decision by the Committee is final.
Student Conduct And Discipline Complaints And Grievances
Behavior Expectations -The Board of Trustees has established the following disciplinary regulations and administrative procedures at ORU:
1. All rules and regulations adopted by the ORU are subject to the Honor Code.
2. Any violation of the Honor Code in its written form, its principles, or its spirit is dealt with accordingly.
3. Reports of student conduct, either at the undergraduate or graduate level, that is offensive, unacceptable, destructive, and in violation of ORU regulations are made to the Dean of Student Engagement, the Graduate School Director, or the equivalent director of student development in a college’s graduate school.
4. The Dean reviews the nature of the complaint and has the responsibility for setting up a meeting with the student.
5. Any student who fails to meet with the appropriate Dean when requested may be withdrawn from classes.
6. With respect to disciplinary proceedings, a student’s overall student record history may be considered in the discipline process.
7. The student involved is expected to cooperate in collecting and interpreting information regarding the complaint.
8. The Dean will attempt to structure the procedure so as to facilitate a reliable determination of the truth and be fair and reasonable.
9. ORU’s policies concerning student behavior are intended to be developmental and not punitive. This approach emphasizes assisting each student to understand and accept responsibility for his or her behavior as a student of ORU. The interests of both the student and ORU are considered in deciding the proper discipline.
10. When the Dean has completed the review, he or she has the authority to impose the appropriate discipline. The Dean will notify the student in a timely fashion of the decision.
11. If the situation necessitates, the Dean can make an interim disciplinary decision before a final decision is made.
12. Actions taken to address deemed violations of ORU regulations may include one or a combination of the following:
• Reprimand
• Specified Restrictions or Penalties (including monetary fines).
• Development Accountability – When a student is placed on development accountability, his or her records are placed on a disciplinary hold, and parents of dependent students are notified. A second conduct violation results in disciplinary action on both charges. A student placed on disciplinary accountability may be removed from an office or position held on campus.
• Suspension - A student may be suspended from the ORU for a definite or indefinite time or subject to certain conditions. A student may apply for readmission no sooner than 12 months from the date of suspension, and a suspension hold is placed on the student’s transcript.
• Expulsion - If a student is expelled from the ORU, he or she is not normally allowed to reenter the ORU. Records of expulsion become a part of the student’s permanent record in the office of the Registrar.
• ORU’s Refund Schedule will be applied.
13. Disciplinary action is recorded as a permanent part of a student’s file, but the disciplinary hold is removed when a student redeems himself or herself
14. Failure to enforce any ORU policy or rule constitutes a waiver only as to such particular policy or rule and shall not be deemed as a waiver of any other policy or rule.
Discipline Grievance Procedure
1. Should the student believe the discipline unfair, he or she has the right to seek an administrative review with the Vice President of Student Life within seven working days of the initial Dean’s decision.
2. Ultimately, the student may request a hearing with the ORU Disciplinary/Academic Grievance Committee (“Committee”). Approval for such a hearing is granted at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Life.
3. The Committee comprises the Vice President of Student Life (chair), a faculty representative, the Director of Spiritual Life, the Provost (or designee), and the President’s designee. The composition of the Committee may be altered on a case-by-case basis in the best interest of either ORU or the student.
4. In a hearing before this Committee, the student may appear personally. The student has the right to be informed of the nature of the allegations, charges, or reports being brought against him or her, to present testimony with respect to the complaint, and to be notified of decisions reached by the committee within two weeks of the hearing.
5. The decision reached by the Committee is final.
Complaints-Student Grievance Procedures -Grievances should always be filed in accordance with institutional policy first. The Grievance Policies and Procedures can be accessed here: ORU Grieveance Policies and Procedures
If the matter is not resolved at the institutional level, the student has the option of filing a grievance with an external authority, such as the Higher Learning Commission or the state. Grievances related to any aspect of accreditation standards can be directed to the Higher Learning Commission. Contact: Higher Learning Commission File a Complaint
If a student is taking classes on campus, taking online classes as a residential student,
or taking online classes as a resident of Oklahoma, grievances can be directed to
the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Contact: Student Complaint with OK Higher Ed
If a distance student is taking online classes as a non-Oklahoma resident, grievances
can be directed to the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides.
For more information, the student may contact NC-SARA at SARA-student complaints information
Contact information for the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and US Territories is available here: studnet complaints information
Grievances regarding ORU’s implementation of state and federal laws should be directed to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office. Contact: OK Attorney Generals office