Administrative Policies and Non-Discrimination
UT Southern is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under Federal and State law and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its admission Policy, programs, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.
The following person has been designated to handle staff inquiries regarding the Non-Discrimination Policy:
Director of Human Resources
433 West Madison Street
Pulaski, Tennessee 38478
931-424-7379, ext. 3079
The University reserves the right to change the rules regulating admission to the institution and any other regulations affecting the student body or the granting of degrees.
The University also reserves the right to withdraw courses, to change its calendar, and to alter charges and fees as conditions may require. Such changes shall go into force whenever the proper authorities may determine and shall apply not only to prospective students but also to those who may, at such time, be matriculated in the University.
The University further reserves the right to refuse to release any student their transcript, grade report, or degree for failure to return University property or to pay any accounts due the University.
It is the policy of the University that no otherwise qualified handicapped individual be discriminated against on the basis of his or her physical or mental handicap, as covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, in admission to the University. All programs of the University are open to all regularly admitted students without regard to handicap. In the event that a student is enrolled in a course not accessible, the course will be moved to such location as will be accessible to handicapped students. Students with 504 plans should contact Academic Affairs, Colonial Hall. Any student, employee, or job applicant who has a complaint or grievance in regard to this matter should contact Dean of Students during regular office hours to make an appointment to have their grievance heard.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
UT Southern offers financial assistance to students based on need and academic achievement. To determine student need, the University utilizes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which takes into consideration certain factors relating to family financial status. Three basic types of financial aid are made available by the University:
1. Scholarships/grants
2. Loans
3. Part-time employment.
Some funds for grants and loans are provided through programs sponsored by the federal and state governments. To receive federal and/or state financial assistance, students must be admitted as a regular student seeking a degree and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Students are strongly encouraged to review the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and other rules and regulations regarding financial aid.
Application for financial assistance, should be made as early as possible after January 1 of the upcoming academic year in which the student plans to attend academic year by completing an Application for Admission and a FAFSA. The FAFSA is completed online (recommended) at
studentaid.gov. A paper FAFSA may be requested by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) if you are hearing impaired, contact TYY line at 1-800-730-8913. The school code for UT Southern is 003504. To receive priority consideration for the coming year, the FAFSA should be processed by February 15.
The Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is reserved for undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed undergraduate degree requirements must not accept Pell Grant and/or FSEOG funds. Failure to begin attendance in one or more classes may cause a reduction in financial aid which could result in the student owing money back to the university. Students who have completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree are no longer eligible to receive federal or state grants.
Complaints or Grievances
Students should be aware that, should they have complaints about their academic program or their financial aid, the University of Tennessee Southern has a complaint procedure. To the extent possible, students should seek a resolution of such matters through the institution’s complaint procedure before involving others.
Student Grievances
The University of Tennessee Southern attempts to maintain an atmosphere that encourages students to discuss their questions and concerns with the appropriate instructors or staff members before involving others. However, should discussion not resolve a perceived problem, after all other means are exhausted, there is an official grievance procedure. The Dean of Students is the university official responsible for assisting in this process. In certain areas there are standing committees that handle appeals (e.g., Admissions and Financial Aid Appeals Committee).
A student grievance is any registered dissatisfaction, complaint, or injustice a person may perceive while affiliated with the University of Tennessee Southern, either as a prospective, currently enrolled, or recently graduated student. UT Southern provides a procedure to assist faculty and students in resolving student concerns about academic integrity, policy, and grades issued. The teaching faculty is responsible for issuing grades; however, students who believe a faculty member has violated their academic rights may seek recourse through the grievance procedure. This procedure also is followed if students believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, their basic civil rights have been violated or their privacy has been invaded, in which case the Dean of Students would be the point of contact. Students can initiate a grievance resolution but must attempt to resolve their grievance through the informal process first.
Informal Process
In academic matters, the student should request a conference with the instructor involved within five working days after the event occurs (or after grades are received, if this is the case). If the conference does not resolve the dispute or problem, the student should request a conference with the School chair. If this discussion does not resolve the dispute or problem, at that point, the student may request a meeting with the Provost or Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs depending on the nature of the issue, in hopes to resolve the issues.
Formal Process
A student who has completed the informal process within the specified times and is not satisfied with the results may then appeal in writing to both the Provost and the Dean of Students within seven calendar days after the conference with the appropriate School chairperson and/or Provost. The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will meet with the School chairperson to review and reach a decision regarding the grievance. This decision will be final and the student will be notified in writing within five working days.
Accurate records of all written student grievances will be confidential and will be maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students or Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, depending on the nature of the grievance.
The procedure for student grievances is consistent for all students. Students should be aware that should they have concerns or complaints about their program or their financial aid, this institution has a complaint procedure. To the extent possible, students should seek a resolution of such matters through the institution’s complaint procedure (see Student Handbook, under “Grievance and Problem Resolutions”) before involving others. Should the institution not be able to resolve a financial aid problem, the student may contact either the State Postsecondary Review Program office at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission at (615) 532-8276 or the federal Office of the Ombudsman at 1-202-401-4498 or toll free 1-877-557-2575 in Washington, DC.
State of Tennessee Complaint Procedures
Should the institution not be able to resolve the student complaint, the student has the right to contact the state of Tennessee and its appropriate agency to determine the course of action. Complaints can be filed with the following agencies in Tennessee:
Complaints related to the application of state laws or rules related to approval to operate or licensure of a particular professional program within a postsecondary institution shall be referred to the appropriate State Board (e.g., State Boards of Health, State Board of Education, and so on) within the Tennessee State Government and shall be reviewed and handled by that licensing board (http://www.tn.gov, and then search for the appropriate division).
Complaints related to state consumer protection laws (e.g., laws related to fraud or false advertising) shall be referred to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and shall be reviewed and handled by that Unit.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS- COC)
Allegations regarding noncompliance with accreditation standards, policies, and procedures may be made to SACS-COC, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. (The Commission’s complaint policy, procedure, and the Complaint form may be found on their website, www.sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2020/01/ComplaintPolicy-1.pdf).
Complaint Policies for Certain Distance Education Students Enrolled Through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements ("SARA")
The below policies apply to students who are:
The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations. For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3.
Institution Complaint Policies can be found in the University Catalog.
Additional Complaint Policies
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)
- Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
- Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.
- The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
- Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
- Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.
Tobacco Free Campus
To protect the health and safety of UT Southern students, employees, and visitors; to promote a healthy and safe work, educational, and living environment; and to comply with the Tennessee Non-Smoker Protection Act and other applicable state laws, UT Southern is a Smoke-Free Campus effective January 1, 2016.
For the purposes of this policy, tobacco is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette (clove, bidis, kreteks), e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes and hookah products; and any other smoking product; along with any smokeless, spit or spit-less, dissolvable, or inhaled tobacco products, including but not limited to dip, chew, snuff or snus, in any form (orbs, sticks, strips, pellet, etc.).
It is the responsibility of University faculty, staff, student, visitor or contractor to voluntarily comply with the no smoking policy. Violation of this policy may be regarded as a willful safety violation. If someone is non-compliant, the supervisor (or other authority) has a responsibility to speak with person(s) and encourage compliance. Each member of the University community will be responsible for respectfully informing or reminding others of the smoke-free environment if coming upon someone smoking. Effective approaches for talking with individuals who smoke must be employed with respect. Please consult with Student Affairs or Human Resources should you need further assistance in addressing compliance.
Inclement Weather
UT Southern will remain open except in the most severe weather conditions. The Chancellor, Provost, and/or Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs may officially close or suspend selected activities of the University due to extreme weather conditions. When a decision to close is made, Students will receive a text message and an email alerting them of the cancellation of classes. Additionally, the campus and appropriate radio and TV stations will be notified, and closing information will be posted on the UT Southern home page at
utsouthern.edu and through the UT Southern App.
Because weather conditions sometimes vary widely within the surrounding area, students are advised to use their own discretion in attempting to attend classes during inclement weather. Students are advised to contact their instructors about such absences, but normally will not be penalized if they are unable to get to campus during adverse weather conditions. Since online courses generally are not affected by inclement weather, assignment due dates and times will remain fixed throughout the semester and will not be rescheduled due to weather. Students should contact the instructor by phone or email if weather becomes a concern. Students will be responsible for any academic work that they miss due to absences caused by severe weather conditions. It is the individual student’s responsibility to take the initiative to make up any missed class work, and it is the instructor’s responsibility to provide a reasonable opportunity for students to complete assignments or examinations missed due to such absences.
Sign Posting Procedures
The Dean of Students or the Provost must approve any signs, posters, or announcements before posting. Approval for posting does not represent University endorsement of the information posted or the actual function(s) advertised.
Posted materials must clearly promote the activity publicized and the sponsoring University organization or sponsor/partner as its primary message, rather than the commercial advancement of the non-affiliated entity or product. If the name, logo, trademark, slogan, or similar identifier of a non-University affiliate appears on the posting, it must not appear as the dominant message. The Student Handbook governs signage for general elections of government officials under the section “
Political Activities on Campus” found in the Student Reminders section.
Individuals not affiliated with the University (for example: vendors, organizations, businesses, entities, etc.) are permitted to advertise on campus by contacting the Dean of Students or the Director of Career Services.
Bulletin Boards are provided in various areas, some of which are for class or departmental use only. No tape of any kind can be used on painted walls. No signs may be posted on doors.
Violations of these procedures by students or student organizations are a violation of the Code of Conduct and will be subject to the University student conduct process.
Use of University Property & Use of University Property for Free Expression
Certain rules on the use of University property, such as a rule on the use of University property for free expression activities, have been promulgated by the University in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Copies of those rules can be found at
publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1720/1720-01/1720-01-12.20141015.pdf.