Student Concerns
SMU is committed to providing students with a supportive environment and to addressing student concerns fairly, consistently, and in a timely manner.
If you have a concern, we encourage you to start by talking with the person, department, school/college, or University office involved. Many concerns can be resolved quickly through a conversation or by working directly with the area involved.
If you have tried to resolve your concern and it has not been resolved, SMU provides a formal Student Concern Process.
Not sure where to start?
Different concerns may be handled through different University processes. Choose the option below that best describes your situation.
I have a concern about a University employee, department, office, rule, process, or procedure.
You may use the SMU Student Concerns Process if you have tried to resolve your concern directly with the person or area involved and the matter is not covered by another established University process.
I want to appeal an academic decision or request an exception to an academic policy.
Academic appeals and petitions are handled through established academic processes and should not be submitted as student concern.
More information about CAP ▾
For undergraduate students, the Committee on Academic Petitions (CAP) considers certain requests for exceptions to academic policies and certain appeals after the student has completed any required preceding review or appeal process.
Examples may include certain appeals involving:
- late course withdrawals;
- academic suspension or dismissal;
- reinstatement following academic or behavioral suspension; or
- other requests for exceptions to academic policies that fall within CAP's authority.
Not every academic matter is handled by CAP. For example, grade appeals follow a separate University process. Students should review the applicable policy and complete any required initial steps before submitting an appeal to CAP.
I experienced or witnessed a bias incident and would like support.
Students who experience or witness a bias incident may seek support and assistance from SMU's Bias Education and Response Team (BERT).
BERT is a resource for students seeking support related to experiences with bias. Contacting BERT does not replace the Student Concerns Process or another applicable University reporting or appeal process.
I want to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking.
SMU has a separate process and resources for concerns involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking.
About the Student Concerns Process
What is a student concern?
A student concern is a formal, documented expression of disagreement or dissatisfaction with:
- the actions, performance, or decision of an SMU faculty or staff member, department, or University office; or
- a University, school/college, or department rule, process, or procedure that a student believes is unfair, inconsistent with University policy or SMU's mission, or creates an unreasonable barrier to student success.
The Student Concerns Process is intended for concerns that are not addressed through another established University process.
It does not replace appeal or review processes established in the SMU Catalog, SMU Community Standards, Student Code of Conduct, or other University policies.
Before filing a formal concern
Whenever possible, first try to resolve your concern directly with the faculty or staff member, academic department, school/college, or University office involved.
If you have made a good-faith effort to resolve the concern and have not been able to reach a satisfactory resolution, you may file a formal student concern.
If you are unsure where to take your concern, you may still submit it through the Student Concerns System. SMU will review the information you provide and determine the appropriate process or office for addressing it.
Filing a formal concern
To be considered a formal student concern, your concern must:
- be submitted by a current SMU student;
- be submitted through the official SMU Student Concerns System; and
- identify the student submitting the concern.
Concerns submitted outside the system and anonymous submissions are not considered formal student concerns under this process.
What happens after I submit a concern?
- SMU will review your submission. Your concern will be reviewed to determine the appropriate University office or individual to address your concern.
- Your concern will be routed for review. Depending on the nature of the concern, it may be reviewed at multiple levels of the University as appropriate.
- You may be contacted for additional information. The person or office reviewing your concern may contact you if additional information or documentation is needed.
- You will receive a decision. SMU will make every effort to notify you in writing of the outcome within 120 days of your original submission.
- The decision is final under this process. The Student Concerns Process provides all applicable levels of review within the process. Once those levels of review have been completed, there is no additional appeal through the Student Concerns Process.
Other University Processes
Some concerns have their own established review, reporting, or appeal processes. These processes remain available and are not replaced by the Student Concerns Process.
Depending on your concern, you may need to use:
Academic Petitions and Appeals
For certain undergraduate requests for exceptions to academic policy or appeals of academic decisions.
Grade Appeals
For concerns about a course grade. Follow the grade appeal process described in the applicable SMU Catalog.
Bias Support
For support following an experience with or observation of a bias incident.
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, or Stalking
For reporting and resources related to these concerns.
Student Conduct or Community Standards
For matters governed by the SMU Student Code of Conduct or SMU Community Standards.
Need help finding the right process?
You do not need to know which University office handles your concern before asking for help. Review the options above to identify the process that best fits your situation. If your concern does not appear to be covered by another established University process, you may submit it through the SMU Student Concerns System for review.