In compliance with federal law, Lafayette College provides the following information to our prospective and current students.
Lafayette College participates in Federal student aid programs that are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. A participating institution must be legally authorized to operate within the State in which it is located. Title 34 CFR 600.9 requires States to have a “process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State Laws.” Title 34 CFR 668.43(b) requires that institutions: “make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.”
Lafayette College makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally, using policies and procedures outlined in the College Catalog or Student Handbook. It is expected that students will be able to fully utilize all such administrative procedures to address concerns and/or complaints in as timely a manner as possible. For procedures regarding:
Refer to the Student Handbook or contact the Office of Advising and Co-Curricular Programs.
A student who is asked to withdraw from the college for academic reasons may appeal that decision with the Office of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs.
Refer to the Student Handbook or consult with the Senior Associate Dean of Advising and Co-Curricular Programs.
Refer to the Student Handbook or consult with the Assistant Dean of Students.
Refer to the Notice of Non-discrimination and Statement of Equal Opportunity or consult with the Academic Resource Hub.
Refer to the Notice of Non-discrimination and Statement of Equal Opportunity or consult with the Educational Equity Coordinator including for sexual misconduct or gender-based issues.
Refer to the Student Handbook and SASH website.
Refer the Student Handbook or contact the Registrar.
Complaints involving matters of a criminal nature, such as assault, battery, and theft should be directed to the Office of Public Safety at 610-330-4444 (emergency) or 610-330-5330 (non-emergency).
If you do not feel comfortable with an internal reporting option, the Lafayette College Hotline (1-800-539-6085) – is another avenue you may choose to report any kind of inappropriate activities at the College. This toll-free line is available 24/7 and there will always be someone available to speak with you. The line is managed by an outside company that will listen to your concern and direct it to the appropriate college official for prompt and corrective action. You may remain anonymous or you may choose to identify yourself. Regardless of your decision, your information will be documented and addressed appropriately.
In the unlikely event that an issue cannot be resolved through an internal College complaint process, students residing in Pennsylvania should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the applicable agency for oversight in resolving complaints.
Lafayette College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000. Once all other avenues provided by the College and the State Agency have been exhausted, unresolved complaints may be filed with the accrediting agency.
(Adapted and Revised based on St. Francis University and Swarthmore College websites on student complaints)