Student Complaints

At Mason, we expect that you, the student, are responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, requirements and academic policies of the university and your school or college.  All academic policies and guidelines are outlined in the University Catalog. At the same time, we also understand that circumstances may arise that warrant a student to request an exception to policy or submit an appeal.  

You can request exceptions to academic policy or appeal decisions made by your academic program (such as request for a late withdrawal from a course, appealing a grade, curriculum requirement substitution, etc.).  While the specific processes vary based on your home school or college, academic requests, exceptions and appeals follow the general flow described below.

Steps in the Exception and Appeals Process

1. Requests should always begin with communication between you and your academic advisor and/or faculty member.
2. If you need more information or you want to appeal a decision, the next step is to contact the department or program chair.
3. If the issue or concern is not resolved at the department level, then you can appeal to your school or college academic affairs, student services or dean’s office.
4. If an issue is still not resolved, and only after the request has gone through all of the appropriate levels listed above, you may appeal a decision by submitting your request to Provost’s Office by emailing apugsubs@gmu.edu.
5. If you do not feel your request was handled fairly by the Provost’s Office, requests can also be reviewed by the University Academic Appeals committee.  However, if a request has already been appealed at the school/college level, and the Provost’s Office with the same outcome, the request cannot be submitted and reviewed by the Academic Appeals committee.  Requests are submitted to this committee from apugsubs@gmu.edu directly.  Once the request is submitted, you will then be able to submit any additional materials or communication directly to the committee. 

(Grade appeals cannot be made at the Provost level or to the University Academic Appeals committee; those decisions reside with the school or college.)

Seek Guidance and Information

Keep in mind your assigned academic advisor can assist you in navigating this process and answer any questions you may have along the way. We understand this can be a confusing and complicated process, and your advisor can help you. 

Please also visit your school or college’s appeals website (links below) to determine the specific appropriate steps based on the type of request:

Programs offered at Mason Korea:

• Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Economics, Global Affairs: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Business: School of Business
• Computational and Data Sciences: College of Science
• Computer Game Design: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Other programs:

• College of Health and Human Services
• Exploratory and Undeclared
• Honors College (for appealing termination from Honors College or a grade appeal of a HNRS or HNRT course only)
• Schar School of Policy and Government
• College of Engineering and Computing
• College of Education and Human Development
• Undergraduate Non-Degree and Guest Students

If you have any questions navigating the process or determining if you need to submit a request or appeal, contact your assigned academic advisor.

Still not sure what to do?

If you ever have trouble finding your academic advisor or if you are unsure of what to do, you can email the Office of Academic Affairs at mkaa@gmu.edu and we can get you connected with your advisor or the appropriate office. 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on gender under any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation are forms of sex discrimination.

George Mason University is committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from discrimination. Any gender-based discrimination, including sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship violence, and sexual exploitation, committed by George Mason students, staff, or faculty will not be tolerated. This applies to academic, educational, athletic, residential, and all other university-operated and affiliated programs. George Mason encourages individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed, assaulted, or subjected to sexual misconduct by a Mason student or employee to seek assistance.

For more details about Title IX, please visit the MK Title IX page.

Online Title IX Complaint Page

Please visit our online complaint page to submit a written complaint.

Discrimination is an impermissible act or failure to act, based wholly or in part on membership in a protected class, which adversely affects existing privileges, benefits, or working conditions and results in the disparate treatment of—or has a disparate impact on—members of the Mason community.

A bias incident is an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, violence, or criminal offense committed against any person, group, or property that appears to be intentional and/or motivated by prejudice or bias. Such are usually associated with negative feelings and beliefs regarding others' race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age social class, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, club affiliation, or organizational membership.

You need to know that some bias-motivated, prejudiced or otherwise disrespectful acts may be protected under local Korean laws, and thus not subject to University disciplinary action or formal investigation

Please recognize that completing this bias incident report form does not constitute filing a formal complaint.

Contact the University’s Office of Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics to file a formal complaint. However, the university may use information from an incident report to establish a formal charge in some cases.  For more information visit: https://ccee.gmu.edu/

For general questions contact Mason Korea University Life at spark214@gmu.edu

Other Written Complaints: To file an official written complaint regarding any other service or unit at George Mason University.

You can use this form to make a complaint on IGC Housing, facilities, or catering.

Residents who have general complaints about the conditions of the IGC Housing or their rooms, compliance with policy, or other conflicts within their living environment should initially direct their concerns to their RA. If a resident is uncomfortable speaking with an RA or if they are dissatisfied with the RA’s response, a resident may visit the IGC Housing office or call 032-626-4856. 

If this proves unsatisfactory please complete IGC Related Complaints.