Addressing Classroom Conduct and Instructional Content Concerns

The University seeks to provide a learning environment that promotes intellectual inquiry and analytical thinking. In pursuit of those goals and the objectives of their courses, faculty may find it necessary to engage their students in discussions about issues that are contentious and emotionally charged, to respond critically to students’ reasoning, and to challenge them to reexamine deeply held beliefs. Faculty should allow the free expression of opinions within the classroom that may be different from their own and should not permit any such differences to influence their evaluations of their students. This is an important part of the faculty’s responsibility to their students and the educational mission of the University, but it must be done with civility, tolerance, and respect for ideas that differ from their own.  

If a student feels that one of their instructors has not fulfilled these expectations, they may follow the following processes and procedures to address their concerns. These policies, processes and procedures are posted in the Student Handbook, on the school website, and available in the LIST OF GRIEVANCE Procedures. The Office of Student Services is also available for support and guidance. 

Purpose and Scope 

These procedures establish a process for addressing student concerns regarding faculty conduct in instructional settings, consistent with the Columbia University Faculty Handbook and the Office of the Provost.  Instructional settings include classes, courses, lectures, seminars, academic presentations, and engagement in clinical and laboratory settings.   

The Faculty Handbook indicates when teaching students, faculty should: 

  • Confine teaching to course subject matter 
  • Avoid advocacy of political or social causes unrelated to subject matter covered by their courses 
  • Foster an environment of intellectual inquiry and analytical thinking 

These procedures for Direct Resolution and Formal Reporting Channels apply when students feel that their instructor(s) has not met these requirements.    

Reports may be made through course evaluations or through the direct reporting form. 

Response time to complaints raised through course evaluations may be delayed by data collection, analysis, and implementation of change in the next course cycle. 

Anonymous Reporting, while permitted, may limit the ability to investigate and address the complaint. 

Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services and the Dean of Students for support and guidance as needed. 

  1. Direct Resolution: Students are encouraged to report concerns directly to the faculty/instructor as an initial step. If students do not wish to discuss concerns directly with the faculty, please see Formal Reporting Channels below. 
    1. The student should submit a request in writing (email) to the faculty/instructor to request a meeting, specifically stating the reason for the meeting (discussion of non-academic concern or grievance).   
    2. Students may submit this request at any point during their academic program.  While reports may be submitted after the semester has concluded, students are encouraged to report concerns in a timely manner to facilitate prompt resolution. 
    3. Faculty are expected to respond to the email within one week and schedule a meeting within two weeks of the original email. 
    4. During the meeting, the student is encouraged to provide concrete examples, including any supporting documentation, of the content, context, or environment that was in contradiction to the role, responsibilities, and expectations, as outlined in the faculty handbook.  
    5. Determination: 
      1. If the matter is resolved to both parties’ satisfaction, a summary email will be sent by the faculty member to the student, acknowledging the meeting, a summary of the discussion, and resolution of the concern. 
      2. If the matter is NOT resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may escalate the concern through formal reporting channels.
  2. Formal Reporting Channels
    If the student has not been able to resolve or address the matter directly with the faculty member, OR, if the student does not wish to engage directly with the faculty member, the following formal reporting mechanisms are available. 
    1. Formal course evaluation (mid and end of semester) (anonymous or non-anonymous narrative section) 
    2. Classroom Conduct and Instructional Content Reporting Form - This form is routed to a central mailbox where it will be reviewed and routed to appropriate senior leadership. This form may be completed either anonymously or non-anonymously. 
    3. Students may choose to contact the Associate Dean or Vice Dean of the Division and share concerns verbally.  Those reports will be input on the Classroom Conduct and Instructional Content Reporting Form by the administrator who received the report for appropriate tracking and follow-up.  
  3. Review and Investigation
    Once the report has been filed, senior leadership of the department/division will convene to review the complaint and begin an investigation.   
    1. Components of the investigation may include: 
      • Interview the complainant 
      • Interview the faculty/instructor 
      • Review of relevant materials 
      • Referral to other department as appropriate (e.g. Office of Institutional Equity, Office of Professionalism). 
  4. Determination and Outcome - Findings will be shared with relevant senior leadership and the dean for final determination and outcome. 
    Possible outcomes may include: 
    • No finding of policy concern 
    • Informal resolution or guidance/coaching 
    • Required training or policy education 
    • Further administrative action, consistent with University policies  
      The complainant will receive acknowledgment of receipt of the complaint.  To the extent appropriate, the complainant will be informed when the review is complete.  When consistent with university policy, the complainant will also be informed that a final determination has been made. Specific personnel actions remain confidential and are not shared with the complainant.  

  5. Monitoring and Compliance
    Non-Academic Grievance reports will be monitored and tracked within the school.  Divisional leadership will review and analyze reports for patterns and trends at least annually and develop an appropriate action plan. 

  6. External Reporting Mechanisms
    Students can submit reports directly to the following external offices: 

    • University Compliance Hotline 

    • Office of Professionalism (OOP) 

    • University Ombuds Officer 

    • Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), where applicable 

Reports submitted to external offices are subject to the office policies and procedures governing report review, which may deviate from the processes outlined above in sections two through four.  

  1. Process for Reporting by Non-Nursing Student Complainants in the School of Nursing 
    Processes for reporting complaints by other complainants (non-nursing students) will follow the same procedures (section 1. Direct Resolution, section 2. Formal Reporting).  Concerns may be addressed directly with the faculty member or escalated to the appropriate senior leadership, using the channels outlined above. Complaints may also be submitted directly to the Office of the Dean, or external offices as outlined above, as appropriate.  Processes for investigating and addressing complaints remain the same.

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