Student ABA-Related Complaints
Reporting a Complaint
As an ABA-accredited law school, the Law School is subject to the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools. Under ABA Standard 510, any student at the School of Law may bring a formal complaint to the Law School administration “of a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s program of legal education and its compliance with the ABA Standards." Any student having such a complaint should submit it in writing to the Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Students.
Resolving the Complaint
When a formal written complaint has been made in accordance with the reporting process above, the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct shall investigate as soon as possible, but in no event later than 20 business days after the filing of the written complaint with the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct. The Director of Student Engagement and Conduct shall attempt to resolve the complaint, if possible, within the 20 business day period. If resolution is not possible, the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct may refer the matter to the appropriate administrator, administrative body, or an administrative official designated by the Dean ("the Dean's designate"). If the complaint is about the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct it should be made directly to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Students. If referral of the complaint is made as referenced above, the administrator, administrative body or Dean's designate shall attempt to resolve the complaint as soon as possible, but in no event later than 20 business days after referral by the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct. Upon completing the investigation of the complaint, the Law School shall communicate its findings and, if appropriate, its intended actions to the complainant. If the complaint is about the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Students, it should be made directly to the Vice Dean.
Appeal Process
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome or resolution, that individual has the right to appeal the decision. The complainant should submit his/her written comments in a timely manner to the Dean of the Law School, but in no case more than two weeks after communication to the complainant of the findings of the investigation. The Dean's decision shall be communicated to the complainant and the investigator(s) within 20 business days and shall be final.
Maintaining a Written Record of the Complaint
The Law School shall maintain a complete written record of each complaint and how it was investigated and resolved. Written records shall be maintained in a confidential manner in the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Students for 10 years.
Protection Against Retaliation
The Law School will not in any way retaliate against an individual who makes a complaint under this section, nor permit any faculty member, administrator, employee or student to do so.
Not Exclusive Complaint Policy or Procedure
Please note that Emory University's policies, which apply to Emory Law, contain separate sections pertaining specifically to harassment complaints. Other student complaints may fall within the parameters of Emory Law's Professional Conduct Code. Jurisdiction over any student complaint is not exclusive to any single, or combination of, Emory Law or Emory University policies. Any student at Emory Law may consult with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Students to determine which process or processes may apply to a given situation.
State of Georgia Complaints Process
Federal financial aid laws and regulations require that each state have a process to review and act on complaints concerning educational institutions in the state. If you have a complaint, you may, of course, file a complaint with Emory s financial aid office or call the Trust Line at 1-888-550-8850 or file a report online at www.mycompliancereport.com/EmoryTrustLineOnline. You may also file a complaint about Emory University with the State of Georgia Office of Inspector General by following the directions at the Office of Inspector General (OIG) website. In the event that OIG receives a student complaint relating to financial aid, it will be forwarded to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education.