*Non-substantive amendments

Policy

Ramapo College recognizes a student’s right to file a complaint of a non-academic nature.

Reason for Policy

To provide students and others with guidance related to filing complaints of a non-academic nature.

To Whom Does the Policy Apply

All Ramapo College students.

Supplemental Resources

• Procedure 503: Student Complaints of a Non Academic Nature
• Student Form for Complaints of a Non-academic Nature
• Policy 300JJ: Student Appeals of an Academic Nature

Contacts

Office of the General Counsel

*A non-substantive amendment was made to this procedure in August 2025. The amendment moved the responsibility for this policy to the Office of General Counsel. Additionally, a non-susbtantive amendament was also made in June 2026 which updated College nomenclature following a reorganization.

The College recognizes that students may have occasions to file complaints of a non-academic nature, which include complaints regarding College policies and procedures as well as the behavior of a person or persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor). Before filing complaints of a non-academic nature, students should carefully evaluate the nature of their concerns.

In some instances, students may have concerns that fall under separate College policies and procedures. These concerns include:

1. alleged violations of the laws of the State of New Jersey or the College’s Code of Conduct. Students should file these concerns in the Public Safety Department, which may refer these concerns to the Office of Student Conduct.
2. alleged violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy. Students should file these concerns with the Director of Title IX, ADA, and Training Compliance or with the Public Safety Department, which may refer these concerns to the Title IX Coordinator.
3. alleged violations of the NJ State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace. Students should file these concerns with The Office of Title IX & Institutional Compliance.

Once students contact these individuals or offices, they may be guided to follow the College policies and procedures cited above, which may include disciplinary processes. Students have a right to file complaints regarding disciplinary processes and/or appeals of certain disciplinary determinations. The policies and procedures cited above provide details about how to file those complaints and appeals.

In other instances, students may have concerns about the alleged misconduct of persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor) or about the way that offices conduct business. Students are encouraged, whenever appropriate and feasible, to resolve those concerns directly with the individuals adn offices involved.

In those instances that do not fall under the provisions in sections 1 and 2, students may file complaints, which include:

• alleged misconduct of persons affiliated with the College (student, employee, agent of the College, or visitor) or the way that offices conduct business that cannot be resolved directly with the individuals involved. Students should file these complaints with the supervisors/managers of the relevant units. If students have cause for not directing their complaints to those supervisors/managers, they may file their complaints with the Internal Auditor (if the complaints involve alleged misuse of College funds or other resources/Whistleblower Policy) or the People Operations and Employee Resources Department (if the complaints involve professional conduct of non-faculty College employees).
• outcomes of disability-related accommodation requests filed through the Office of Specialized Services. Students should appeal to the College’s Director of Title IX, ADA, and Training Compliance.
• alleged ethical misconduct of employees. These complaints should be guided by Ramapo College’s Policy of Professional Responsibility and the State of New Jersey Uniform Ethics Code embedded therein. Students should file these complaints with the College’s General Counsel.
• alleged violations of the College’s Guide to Community Living. Students should file these complaints with the Office of Residence Life.
• alleged violations of the standards advanced by the College’s institutional accrediting body.These complainst should be filed with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Note: Students who have complaints about grades or other issues of an academic nature should refer to Policy and Procedure 300-JJ: Student Appeals of an Academic Nature.