Resolving Problems & Issues

Students are encouraged to discuss problems and issues with the person or department involved. If discussion with the involved parties fails, please follow the reporting process below. Please include what other measures have been taken to resolve the issue.

Category	Report a Problem or Issue
Academic Advising	Click Here (select Academic Advising)
Access Concerns	Click Here
Business Office	Click Here (select Business Office)
Career Services	Click Here (select Career Services)
Dining	Click Here
Financial Aid	Click Here (select Financial Aid)
Instructor Concern	Discuss with the instructor first. If dissatisfied with the instructor's response, or if you are uncomfortable contacting the instructor, please contact the department chair, program director, or school dean.
IT/Technical	Click Here (select IT/Technical)
Online & Distance Education	Click Here
Registrar	Click Here (select Registrar)
Room Maintenance	Click Here
Problem/Issue not listed above	Click Here (select Other)

Filing a Formal Complaint

In the event that reporting your problem or issue as outlined above does not result in an acceptable resolution, you may file a formal complaint. Please follow the guidelines provided for the type of problem/issue you would like to escalate.

Grades Dispute (Undergraduate)

What is a "Grade Dispute"?

If you have a question or issue about your final grade for a course.

Step 1

Discuss the concern with the professor first.

Step 2

Follow the established process outlined in the Academic Catalog in the section titled "Grade Appeal Procedure for Undergraduate Courses" (page 151).

Grade Dispute (Graduate)

What is a "Grade Dispute"?

If you have a question or issue about your final grade for a course.

Step 1

Discuss the concern with the professor first.

Step 2

Business

Education

Public Health

Sport Sciences

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Physician Assistant

Pharmacy

Disability Discrimination

What is "Disability Discrimination"?

Harassment about or lack of compliance for disability accommodations, issues in setting up accommodations.

Step 1

Click here to access the form in Bulldog Central and select "Disability Support Services (DSS) in the dropdown labeled "type."

Step 2

Follow the process outlined in the Academic Catalog (page 59).

Harassment & Sexual Misconduct

What is "Harassment/Sexual Misconduct"?

Harassment/Sexual Misconduct covers a wide range of sexual misconducts, please review Wingate's Sexual Harassment Policy.

Step 1

Click here to fill out the Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form.

Step 2

Follow the process outlined in Wingate's Title IX Policy.

Bias & Discrimination and/or Violation of Community Standards

What is "Bias and Discrimination/Violation of Community Standards"?

Bias and discrimination incidents are when an individual or group of individuals demonstrate hate and/or prejudicial behaviors toward another individual or group of individuals based on the following protected categories: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, and/or veteran status. For more information, click here for the Bias Incident Reporting webpage. You can also read more in the Student Handbook.

Community Standards general incidents are when the Wingate University Code of Community Standards and/or Honor Code have been violated. To review the standards in full, click here for the Community Standards webpage, then view the Student Handbook.

Step 1

To report bias or discrimination, click here for the form.
To report a general incident that violates the Code of Community Standards, click here for the form.

Step 2

To escalate either a bias/discrimination or general incident, please follow the process outlined in the Student Handbook found on this page.

Athletics Grievance

What is an "Athletics Grievance"?

Issues or incidents with members of the coaching staff (for example, unfair treatment) or with a decision made by the athletics department.

Step 1

Discuss the concern with the coach first.

Step 2

Follow the grievance process outlined in the Student Athlete Handbook, found on this page.

All Other Complaints

What is meant by "All Other Complaints"?

Unresolved problems and issues other than the specific categories listed above (grade dispute, disability discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, bias and discrimination or athletics grievance).

Step 1

Follow the guidelines outlined about for resolving problems and issues

Step 2

Send an email to complaints@wingate.edu. Be sure to include what other measures have been taken, including the outcome of your initial complaint and any supporting materials. The email will be routed to the appropriate administrator for consideration. Do not use complaints@wingate.edu to report issues described above with specific procedures.

Wingate University is committed to treating all students with respect, fairness, and equity while fostering an environment that promotes learning and growth. A student may file a complaint if they have an unresolved disagreement with a faculty or staff member, another student, or the administration. The University will treat all information submitted in connection with a complaint as confidential. Subject to FERPA and other applicable privacy laws, however, the University official investigating the grievance will inform individuals with a legitimate need to know of the grievance and may provide them related information as necessary to allow the University official to conduct a meaningful and thorough investigation. The University official investigating the complaint will inform all involved parties of the need to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Wingate University prohibits retaliation for submitting a complaint. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, reprisals, and adverse actions.

External Complaint Resources

Wingate University is committed to providing opportunities for student complaints to be received and resolved. Students with complaints that have not been resolved through the University's complaint processes may file a complaint through other avenues.

Accreditation

Wingate University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Wingate University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Students who file a complaint with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure found here.

NC Post-Secondary Education Complaints

The State Authorization Unit of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. Complaints received against post-secondary institutions licensed in the state of North Carolina, including Wingate University, will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for action. If you are unable to resolve your complaint through Wingate's grievance procedures, please consult the NCPS-EC Student Complaint Policy. The complaint form can be found here. For more information, email studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu or use the contact information below or visit the this website.

North Carolina Office of Post-Secondary Education Complaints
C/O Student Complaints
910 Raleigh Rd.,
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688
(919) 962-4558

NC Department of Justice

To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit the State Attorney General’s web page. North Carolina residents may call (877) 566-7226. Outside of North Carolina, please call (919) 716-6000. En Español (919) 716-0058.

The complaint may be filed online NC Department of Justice Complaint Form. If you choose to mail a complaint, please use the following address:

Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001

SARA-NC Complaint Process

Students living outside of North Carolina taking on-line courses may also choose to file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for the state of North Carolina. Students should follow SARA North Carolina Student Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint form. The contact information for SARA-NC is:

SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 14103
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Toll-free Telephone: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2161), toll free
Telephone: (919) 248-4667, local
Website: http://www.saranc.org/
Email: information@saranc.org