dispute process

Vincennes University Online has established an appeal process for students who do not agree with charges and/or grades that are associated with their record.

Students must follow the appeal process as it is outlined below.

*If student is disputing a grade, student is to first discuss the grade with their instructor to see if the matter can be resolved prior to initiating a formal dispute.*

Please send any and all documentation via email to DISTED@VINU.EDU or via fax to 812-888-2054. *Supporting documentation may include, but not limited to: emails, medical documentation, military documentation.

Once all documentation has been provided, the dispute process may take 2-4 weeks before a decision will be made. All decisions will be sent to students via email.

DIspute Processes

Grade Disputes follow the procedure outlined below:

The student should email to discuss the matter thoroughly with the professor or staff member attempting to reach resolution immediately, but no later than 30 calendar days after the incident(s) has occurred.
The Distance Education staff will do the following within three weeks:
1. Inform the faculty or staff of the dispute.
2. Investigate the situation (which may include but not be limited to requesting a statement from the faculty or staff member of circumstances relevant to the dispute, a meeting with either or both parties, additional documents and other information from both parties which are relevant to the situation.)
3. After the matter has been fully investigated, the findings will be supplied to the appropriate College Dean, Department Chair, or VU Administrator for review and judgment. Once the appropriate administrator has rendered their judgment, the Distance Education Dispute Committee will communicate the ruling to the student via email. The ruling will be communicated to the student within one week after the judgment has been rendered.
If the student wishes to appeal the ruling, a statement of appeal must be emailed to the Distance Education Dispute Committee within one week of the postmark of the email containing the original dispute decision.

Tuition Disputes follow the procedure outlined below:

The student should email to discuss the matter thoroughly with the professor or staff member attempting to reach resolution immediately, but no later than 30 calendar days after the incident(s) has occurred.
The Distance Education staff will do the following within three weeks:
1. Inform the faculty or staff of the dispute.
2. Investigate the situation (which may include but not be limited to requesting a statement from the faculty or staff member of circumstances relevant to the dispute, a meeting with either or both parties, additional documents and other information from both parties which are relevant to the situation.)
3. The Distance Education Dispute Committee makes a ruling regarding the dispute within one week after the requested documents are received or committee meeting concluded. The DE staff will email the dispute resolution to the student.
If the student wishes to appeal the ruling, a statement of appeal must be emailed to the direct supervisor of the person making the previous ruling within one week of the postmark of the email containing the original dispute decision.
The dispute process is repeated with the addition of information from the original supervisor.