Student Complaints
Academic complaint: classroom, instructional, and course content concerns
General complaint: concerns related to the student experience outside of the classroom
By enrolling in classes at Blinn, I understand that I have rights and responsibilities as follows:
Student Rights
- A student shall have the right to participate in a free exchange of ideas, and there shall be no College rule or administrative rule that in any way abridges the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution. (FLA LEGAL; FLA LOCAL) (Administrative Procedure for Expressive Activities on Campus)
- A student shall have the right to participate in all areas and activities of the College, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. (FA LEGAL; FB LOCAL; FFD LOCAL; FK LEGAL)
- A student shall have the right to know the specifics of how they will be evaluated in class, and to file a grade appeal if they feel they have not been graded properly. (FLDB LOCAL)
- A student has the right to personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and this will be observed by students and College authorities alike. (FJ LOCAL)
- A student subject to disciplinary action arising from violations of Student Rules shall be assured a fundamentally fair process as set forth in College policy. (FMA LOCAL)
- A student shall have the right to access the College’s Consumer Information as required in various Federal regulations and displayed on the College’s website.
- A student shall have the right to file a written complaint if they are unable to resolve a concern through established procedures. (FLD LOCAL)
Student Responsibilities
- A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the published College student rules (found in the College Catalog) and to comply with them, as well as all federal, state, and local laws.
- A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the College’s billing policies as well as meet all financial obligations to the College. More details
- A student has the responsibility to maintain communication with the College, including reading their Blinn e-mails and keeping the College updated on addresses and phone numbers.
- A student has the responsibility to seek out input concerning career, choice of majors, and selection of courses from various academic advising offices on campus, catalogs/advisors at transfer institutions, and other resources. All decisions related to academic coursework are ultimately the advisee’s responsibility.
- A student has the responsibility to show respect and honesty in disagreements with faculty, staff, administration, and others and to use the established channels to resolve complaints and concerns. (FLD LOCAL)
- A student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including other students, the faculty, and College officials. (FLB LOCAL)
- A student has the responsibility to maintain a level of behavior that is consistent in supporting the learning environment of the institution and to recognize the College’s obligation to provide an environment for learning. (FLB LOCAL)
The Blinn College District is committed to providing an educational climate that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual. In order to ensure that commitment, Blinn has developed procedures for students to pursue grievances within the college community, should such action become necessary.
A student who has an unresolved disagreement or dissatisfaction with a faculty or staff member, another student, student group, or administrator has the right to file a written complaint without prejudicing his or her status with the College.
It is Blinn's goal to assist all students in finding fair and just solutions to their concerns.
Students should refer to Blinn policy for specific types of complaints/appeals:
Complaints about areas not addressed in formal policy should follow the general Student Complaint Policy ( FLD ). Before filing a written complaint under this Policy, the student must first have attempted to resolve the issue by discussing the concern with the person(s) involved (if possible) and the appropriate dean or supervisor.
Student complaints regarding discipline, sexual harassment, final grade appeals, and student housing appeals shall be covered by separate procedures. This policy is intended to be used only as a manner of appeal. See:
- FFD for initial complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
- FFE for initial complaints regarding bullying and dating violence
- FG for complaints regarding student housing
- FLDB for course grade complaints
- FMA for discipline hearing procedures
This complaint process is not intended to address appeals related to decisions made in routine College matters where appeal processes have been outlined.
For assistance in determining the correct procedure to follow or to identify the appropriate dean or supervisor for informal resolution, students can contact:
Administration Building, Office 128
Brenham, Texas 77833
979-830-4306
Dean of Distance Learning
207 Bookstore Building (Bryan campus)
979-209-7466
Campus Executive Dean (Brenham)
Old Main Building, Suite 214
979-830-4316
Campus Executive Dean (Bryan)
Building S, Suite 130
979-209-7287
Campus Executive Dean (RELLIS)
Walter Schwartz Building, Suite 110-B
979-691-2069
Campus Executive Dean (Sealy)
111 Administration Building
979-627-7997
Campus Executive Dean (Schulenburg)
100-2 Administration Building
979-743-5200
The College Catalog also is a source for policy and procedures details.
- If a student cannot resolve his/her concern informally as described above, a student may complete one of the following forms found below:
Academic Complaint Form | General Complaint Form
- The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services (or designate) will review the submitted complaint and may request an appointment with the student to discuss the complaint.
- The Vice Chancellor or designate will make a decision concerning the complaint and communicate the decision to the student in writing within thirty (30) days from when the complaint was filed. The decision is final and cannot be appealed. The record of the complaint including the decision will be filed in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services:
Administration Building, Office 128
Brenham, Texas 77833
979-830-4306
Per the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) codified rules under Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Sections 1.110 – 1.120, after exhausting the institution's grievance/complaint process, current, former, and prospective students may initiate a complaint with THECB. Refer to THECB website for details on this process.
After completing Blinn's complaint process, out-of-state students taking distance education through Blinn College may opt to initiate a complaint through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) at this site: NC-SARA Student Complaints