While students are encouraged to use the informal procedures described above, students may also initiate the Formal Complaint process, as outlined in the Complaints Policy in the Student Handbook/Catalog to resolve a complaint. All complaints are taken seriously. The procedure for handling complaints from current students encourages informal conciliation, facilitates early resolution, and maintains individual privacy and confidentiality. Please note that complaints regarding the sexual misconduct policy should be referred to the Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator@usa.edu. Complaints related to academic dismissals or professional misconduct should follow the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook/Catalog.
Step 1
The Formal Complaint Process requires students to complete the Student Complaint Form (see below), which should be submitted to the Student Welfare and Accessibility at usastudentaffairs@usa.edu. The complaint will be directed to the responsible party to investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint. A written summary of any resolution reached will be provided to the student by the Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility, generally within 10 business days after receipt of the written complaint.
Step 2
Students may appeal a Step 1 decision, in writing, to the Grievance Committee by completing the Grievance Form within 5 business days after the Step 1 response was issued to the student. The Grievance Committee will investigate the complaint and give the student an opportunity to discuss the complaint. The Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility will seek to provide the student with a written response from the Grievance Committee within 60 business days.
Step 3
The student may request a reconsideration of the Grievance Committee’s decision, in writing, to usastudentaffairs@usa.edu within 5 business days after the Grievance Committee response was issued to him or her. Requests for reconsideration will be forwarded to the President or their designee. In most cases, a Dean will serve as the designee for the President. For purposes of a request for reconsideration, the President or designee will review the existing record from the previous investigations. The Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility will provide the student with a written response to the request for reconsideration at the conclusion of the process.
Confidentiality
All information submitted as part of a student complaint will be treated as confidential and will be available only to the appropriate/involved parties. The student should also respect the need for confidentiality throughout the complaint process. A student who submits a complaint should be aware that complete confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed if effective action is to be taken. USAHS accepts and endeavors to resolve anonymous complaints; however, anonymous complaints may make the matter harder to investigate and resolve.
No retaliation
No adverse action will be taken against a student as the result of the submission of a complaint through the USAHS complaint procedure. This protection against retaliation shall apply even if the findings of an investigation do not support the nature of the report, so long as the report was filed in good faith; however, students who knowingly file misleading or false reports or without a reasonable belief as to truth or accuracy, will not be protected by this policy.