Office of the University Ombuds

Office of the Ombuds
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5295 USA
(269) 387-0718

Formal Student Complaint Form

Western Michigan University is committed to your success and happiness as a Bronco. The formal complaint process exists to assist you with directing any complaints, concerns or problems related to WMU that you may encounter as a student. Formal complaints received by the Office of the University Ombuds are directed to the appropriate recipients at the administrative level who will conduct a "top down" investigation of a shareholder's complaint. The University tracks, monitors and evaluates the student complaint process in order to make institutional improvements where needed.  Pursuant to HLC Policy number FDCR.A.10.030, the University must “make available an account of the student complaints it has received, its processing of those complaints and how that processing comports with the institution’s policies and procedures on the handling of grievances or complaints.”

Before filing a formal complaint, please consider the following:

Students are encouraged to attempt to resolve issues and concerns directly with the faculty, staff member, department or other unit directly before filing a formal complaint.

Review WMU's official definition of a complaint before proceeding:

"Any concern that WMU has violated a law, policy or incorrectly applied an established practice. Complaints may be academic or non-academic in nature. Complaints do not supersede or replace misconduct or grievance procedures already in place." 

Next, please review the following list of specific reporting processes to ensure they are not the more appropriate channel to address your concern.  If the following do not apply to your complaint or concern, please proceed to the online formal complaint form found at the bottom of this page:

If any of the above resources do not address your complaint or concern, please complete the form below to submit a complaint.

Submit a Complaint

Any student may file an anonymous complaint without disclosing their name, identifying the parties involved, or requesting any action. An anonymous submission of a complaint may limit the University’s ability to respond or take further action and will be taken as a "report only" complaint.

Have you attempted to resolve the problem with the party directly responsible for it? (required)
If you haven't yet attempted to resolve the problem directly, read this:
The Office of the Ombudsman encourages every student to try and resolve issues directly with those that are responsible for creating the issue. For example, if you believe your professor has violated a university policy, you should speak with them before going to the department chair, college dean, or Ombudsman. If you take this route and receive a resolution that is not fair, reasonable, or satisfactory, then come back to submit this form.
If you're not sure who is responsible for solving this problem, read this:
If you are unsure who is responsible for solving the problem you have, read through all of the resources listed above and see if any of them are appropriate for your situation. If not, please continue on to fill out the form.
Continue
Category of your complaint (select all that apply):
Definitions of complaint categories are available by clicking the link just below the categories.
Click here for complaint category definitions
  • Academic (Graduation/Audit/Commencement) – A complaint that relates to the graduation audit, graduation, or the commencement ceremony.
  • Academic (Instruction/Classroom/Grades) – Any complaint that arises in the classroom or instruction sphere of the university, including complaints about instructors, grades, syllabi, etc.
  • Academic (Other) – Any complaint that arises in the academic sphere of the University that is not covered by the other two categories.
  • Communication – When some vital information has failed to be disseminated correctly or viably.
  • Discrimination – A discriminatory complaint arises when a complainant feels that they have not been treated equitably due to a protected identity that they hold. 
  • Facilities/Housing/Parking – Any complaint that pertains to on-campus buildings, residence halls, other facilities, or parking.
  • Financial – A financial complaint concerns any fines, fees, or bills that a student believes has been assessed to them in error, but the definition also includes complaints about financial aid.
  • Health and Cleanliness – Any complaint that has to do with hygiene, health, wellness, or cleanliness belonged to this category.
  • Interpersonal Conflict – Any verbal, physical, or emotional abuse that occurs between two individuals.
  • Law/Policy – Any complaint that claims that a law or policy that the institution is bound to has been broken, unsatisfactorily met, or gone entirely unfulfilled. 
  • Workplace/Employment – A workplace complaint involves a student’s on-campus part time job. 
  • Other – A complaint that does not fit into any of the primary categories.
(Please know that it can be difficult to resolve complaints if involved persons cannot be asked to explain or respond to your complaint. Retaliation of any kind is strictly prohibited and should be reported.)
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