Grievances - Law Students

The School of Law is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. Information on the AALS may be found at https://www.aals.org/.

The School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. Questions regarding ABA accreditation may be directed to the Office of the Consultant on Legal Education, American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60654-7597, (312)988-6738.

Student complaints implicating compliance with the standards imposed by the American Bar Association Section on Legal Education and Administration to the Bar shall be filed in writing with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, or if the complaint involves the person serving in that capacity, with the Dean of the Law School. The complaint shall include the date on which the complaint is being filed; the name and address of the complainant; and a description of the complaint. The description of the complaint shall include a description of the accreditation standard which the law school’s action or inaction implicates. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (or the Dean of the Law School) will investigate the complaint and respond to the complainant in writing within 30 calendar days from receiving the complaint. The response will indicate whether the Law School has taken any corrective action, or if not, the reasons for not taking any action.

The complainant shall have the right to appeal this initial decision by filing an appeal with the Faculty Policy Committee. The appeal shall be filed in writing within 14 calendar days from the date on which the initial decision was issued. The appeal shall include the date on which the appeal is filed; the name and address of the complainant; a copy of the original complaint; a copy of the initial decision; and an explanation of the basis of the appeal. The Faculty Policy Committee will review the documents presented, and issue a decision in writing within 30 calendar days from receiving the appeal. The Faculty Policy Committee can sustain or reverse the initial decision. In cases where the initial decision is reversed, the Faculty Policy Committee will direct the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs on what corrective actions to take. The decision of the Faculty Policy Committee shall be considered final and subject to no further review. 

All complaints submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or to the Dean of the Law School shall be retained for a period of 7 years in the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Office or electronically. The above serves to satisfy ABA Standard 510.