Chapter 13:
Student Greivances

Those students who wish to raise concerns of a formal or informal nature should review the following information for the best course of action. 

The Law School considers formal complaints to be those submitted in writing that address concerns regarding Law School adherence to accreditation standards. Other concerns—such as issues related to Law School operations, interactions with faculty, staff, or students, or specific matters regarding a course (such as grading questions)—should be directed to the relevant administrator or individual faculty member, as outlined below.

Student Formal Grievances Relating to Accreditation

The Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and adheres to the ABA’s Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools. Wake Forest University, including the Law School, is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and maintains compliance with the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.

Any student or group of students believing a significant problem implicates the Law School’s program of legal education and its compliance with accreditation standards has the right to file a formal complaint. Such a complaint must be filed in writing either with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, or the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

The complaint must be filed in writing and must identify the behavior, action, or inaction complained of and the accreditation standard(s) alleged to have been violated.

Upon receipt of a written complaint, the Associate and/or Assistant Dean will, within 30 business days, meet with the student(s) making the complaint and, if necessary, conduct an investigation into the substance of the complaint. Upon completion of any investigation, a written report will be prepared determining whether a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s program of legal education exists and warrants additional action. 

If such a problem is found, a recommendation of action to resolve the complaint will be included. The report will be sent to the Dean of the Law School and the student(s) filing the initial complaint. If the students are dissatisfied with the report, they may request additional review by the Dean of the Law School.

All resulting documentation of the complaint, investigation, and any report will be stored in the Dean's Office of the Law School in accordance with the University document retention policy schedule.

These formal grievance procedures have been adopted and are followed to comport with ABA Standard 510 for student grievances implicating compliance with the ABA standards, as well as SACSCOC Standard 12.4 for Student Complaints.

Student Complaints of an Informal Nature or an Individual Concern

Students who wish to raise matters of individual concern are encouraged to follow the guidance provided below. 

Students who wish to file a complaint regarding discrimination, harassment, or bias are encouraged to follow appropriate procedures to file a report as outlined by the Wake Forest University Office of Institutional Equity.

With respect to any other questions or complaints about Law School operations or about the conduct of an instructor, another student, or staff member, students are encouraged to talk with either the Associate or Assistant Deans. The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs is generally responsible for student concerns. The Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is generally responsible for the academic program, faculty, scheduling, registration, and the Honor Code. 

When a student has a question or a complaint about or a problem in a course, the concern can usually best be handled by talking directly with the instructor teaching the course. A student can also talk with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, or the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs about a complaint or a problem in a course.

When a student has a question about a grade in a course, the student should talk directly with the instructor who taught the course, except in the case of a student who is academically ineligible. Students are entitled to review their exams, and instructors are required to explain the grading methodology. Students with concerns about grades should also note the Change of Grades policy in Chapter 8.

An academically ineligible student with a question about a grade must follow the Request for Review of an Exam or Other Work procedure set out for review in Chapter 8. 

Additional Information for Online MSL Students

The School of Law is committed to its online educational programs. Students who have a question, concern, or complaint about the online MSL program are encouraged to contact the Assistant Dean for Online Programs, the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, or the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students may also report complaints to their local state agency.