Student Complaints
The College District encourages students to discuss their concerns with the appropriate instructor or other campus administrator who has the authority to address the concerns. This process is more fully detailed in the current Course Catalog under Student Rights and Responsibilities, Student Complaints (FLD).
Freedom from Retaliation
Neither the PJC Board of Regents nor any PJC employee may unlawfully retaliate against any student(s) for bringing a concern or complaint.
Informal Process
Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level. Informal resolution shall be encouraged but shall not extend any deadlines in this policy, except by mutual written consent. If you have concerns about an instructor, please contact the appropriate Dean or Program Director for the department. If you have concerns about a staff member, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@parisjc.edu or call 903-782-0483.
Filing a Level 1 Complaint
After informal processes are exhausted, a complaint must filed. A student may initiate the formal process by timely filing a written complaint form to the Office of the Vice President of Student Services in the Administration Building, Room 152 (lelliott@parisjc.edu) or by submitting a digital form through the MyPJC Portal (see the MyPJC Student Portal below or in the top menu bar of this webpage). Find the digital student complaint form in the Student MyPJC portal under Reports & Forms.
Students should also submit any needed attachments with the complaint form or by email to the appropriate office. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Complaint Process at PJC
Refer to Policy FLD for more information about the student complaint and appeals processes. Complaints alleging discrimination or harassment, retaliation, disciplinary decisions or complaints about a commissioned peace officer employed by PJC are also included in these processes.
PJC's Catalog/Student Handbook also includes information about the complaint and appeals
processes under Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student Complaints (Policy FLD).
The Level One Complaint form must be completely filled out and submitted within 15 days of the date the student first knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, of the decision or action giving rise to the complaint or grievance.
Appeals Process at PJC - Level Two
If a student files a complaint and did not receive the relief requested in Level One or if the time for a response has expired, the student may file an appeal form with Vice President of Academics or Vice President of Workforce Education or designee to appeal the Level One decision. Refer to the Employee Director above for contact information.
The appeal form must be filed in person or via email within 10 days of the date of the written Level One response or, if no response was received, within 10 days of the Level One response deadline. The Level Two administrator (Vice President or designee) will schedule a meeting within 10 days after receiving the appeal form.
For more information about the Appeals Process at PJC, refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook section under Student Rights and Responsibilites Student Complaints (Policy FLD) or in PJC's Policy Manual under Policy FLD.
Appeals Process at PJC - Level Three
If the Student did not receive the relief requested at Level Two or if the time for a response has expired, the student may request a meeting or file the Appeal form with the Vice President of Students Services (or designee), Dr. Lisa Elliott, lelliott@parisjc.edu or in-person in the Administration Building, Suite 152.
The Level Three appeal form must be filed in person or via email within 10 days of the date of the written Level Two response or, if no response was received, within 10 days of the Level Two response deadline. The Level Three administrator (Vice President of Student Services) will schedule a meeting within 10 days after receiving the appeal form. Students may submit the same form as previously submitted with attachments of previous decisions and any evidence.
For more informaiton about the Level Three Appeals Process refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook section under Student Rights and Responsibilites Student Complaints (Policy FLD) or in PJC's Policy Manual under Policy FLD.
Appeals Process at PJC - Level Four
If the Student did not receive the relief requested at Level Three, or if the time for a response has expired, the student may appeal to PJC's Board of Regents through the PJC's President's Office.
The Level Four appeal form must be filed in person or via email within 10 days of the date of the written Level Three response or, if no response was received, within 10 days of the Level Three response deadline. Students may submit the same form as previously submitted with attachments of previous decisions and any evidence.
The College President or designee will inform the student of the date, time, and palce of the Board meeting at which the complaint will be on the agenda for presentation to the Board of Regents. The Board will consider the comlaint and give notice of its decision orally or in writing at any time up to and including the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
For more informaiton about the Level Four Appeals Process refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook section under Student Rights and Responsibilites Student Complaints (Policy FLD) or in PJC's Policy Manual under Policy FLD.
Appeals Process beyond PJC
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution. If the Paris Junior College appeals process concludes and if resolution is not found, the student may contact the institution’s home state SARA Portal Entity. The website has links to further assist the student.