Student Support Resolution and Resources

• Student Complaint and Resolution
• Student Complaint and Informal Resolution Brochure (PDF)

• Student Code of Conduct Incident Report Form

• Student Support Referral Form - Submit AFTER student consents to wanting further support.

• Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form

If you would like to contest this accusation and you are unable to come to a proper resolution with your instructor, you can follow through with the Academic Complaint process to meet with the Department Chair in an attempt to resolve your concerns. To find the Division Chair of the Department, please review Academic Divisions. Contact the Student Support Resolution Coordinator if you need further assistance. 

For any assignment, if possible, keep any drafts, notes, outlines, research, and any other supplemental information that can support the work you submitted is completely yours. Try and provide this information when requested.

The SSRC does not have the authority to modify any assigned grade. This is left to the responsibility of the instructor. If you have concerns about a grade you received on an assignment, communicate with the instructor first. If you would like to contest an official grade (grades provided at end of the semester), information can be located on how to appeal a grade.

All students are strongly recommended to begin the informal resolution process as soon as possible. This is to aid the investigative process regarding the alleged concerns and provide a resolution in a more timely manner, to support a safe environment for the reporting party as well as anyone else at Cuesta. Please review the Academic/Non-Academic Complaint processes for more information.

Students should be notified by the Complainant (person who submitted the complaint) that a Conduct Report was submitted against them (if applicable). After submission, the office of Student Success and Support will follow up with the Respondent (who the complaint was filed against) and discuss the context of the report and walk through next steps.

• Read your course syllabi. Familiarize yourself with your instructors' expectations for each class and assignment. For example, when is working together on an assignment allowed, if ever? Know where the line is to avoid mistakes.
• Follow all direction from your instructors on how class should function.
• Get help if you think you might need it. The Student Success Center has available tutoring, as well as a Writing Center and Math Lab

• Ask your instructors and TAs for any clarification you need; don't rely on your peers. Your classmates might not have the right information.
• Use caution with group messaging apps. They can be helpful studying resources, but it is easy to cross the line into academic misconduct. It is your responsibility to monitor what is going on in any group chats you are in. If you are concerned prohibited material is being shared (ex. exam answers), remove yourself from the group/chat and let your instructor know of your concerns. If you are unsure what is prohibited, ask your instructor.
• Don't copy or distribute course material unless you have explicit permission.

• Assume all work is to be done individually unless otherwise stated by your instructor or other assignment instructions.
• Check your work. Give yourself enough time to thoroughly review each assignment and be sure to credit the sources of any borrowed material properly, using the citation style specified by your instructor.
• If an assessment requires exam security software (ex. Proctorio), follow all instructions for its use. Try the software in advance to avoid issues.
• During an exam or timed assignment, presume you should have no notes or other resources available to you unless other instructions are given. If you are unsure, ask your instructor.
• Ensure all work is yours and is original to you.