Feedback
Compliments and Complaints
Complaints
At Coastline College we value your feedback regarding an experience or a process. Have a concern or complaint, please complete the complaint form below:
Coastline/CCCD Service Complaint Form
All reports for Coastline College students will follow the Student Grievance Procedures
Following the student's completion of the steps outlined in the grievance procedures, the student has the right to lodge a complaint with the California Community Colleges (CCC) State Chancellor's Office, detailed on the State Chancellor's Office complaint website:
CCC Chancellor's Office Student Complaint Procedures
The student may also lodge a complaint with the College's accrediting commission, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges:
Complaints Against Member Institutions
-
Grade Grievance
Grade Grievance
Submit a Grade Grievance if you believe your overall grade for a course does not accurately represent your achievements in said course due to the instructor's mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency.
Concerns about grades should be addressed as soon as possible in order to ensure availability of student and instructor records, and to permit time for a formal appeal, should one be necessary. Grade grievances will be permitted only through the end of the sixth week of the semester following the semester or summer session in which the grade was assigned.
All grade grievances will be handled through the student grievance process outlined in the sections below. However, in general and by law, the instructor is solely responsible for the grades he/she assigns. No instructor may be directed to change a grade except in certain narrow circumstances authorized by Education Code Section 76224(a), “When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a community college, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the instructor of the course and the determination of the student’s grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.”
For the purposes of this Article, grades may only be reviewed within the following narrow context, subject to ratification by student government organizations:
- Mistake:an unintentional act, omission or error by the instructor or the college. May include, but is not limited to, errors made by an instructor in calculating a student’s grade and clerical errors.
- Fraud:a deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. Fraud may exist when a grade is based upon some sort of dishonest activity, for example, selling grades.
- Bad Faith:an intent to deceive or to act in a manner contrary to law and/or a grade assigned because of a student’s protected characteristics as defined in Education Code Section 66270. If, pursuant to the discrimination and harassment complaint procedure, as delineated in Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 59300, it is determined that a grade was the result of discrimination or harassment, the grade may be changed as a remedy for the discrimination or harassment.
- Incompetency:a lack of ability, legal qualification, or fitness to discharge a required duty. A student may claim incompetency when he or she has evidence that the instructor has an impaired ability or fitness (due to accident or illness) to adequately judge the student’s performance.
Students who believe there is an issue with their grade, should follow these steps to seek a resolution:
- Step 1: Attempt to resolve the grade concern informally by discussing it directly with the instructor of the course.
- Step 2: If the issue is not resolved after discussing it with your instructor, escalate the concern to the respective academic dean. You may find their information here: Office of Instruction - Deans
- Step 3: If you are still unsatisfied after Steps 1 and 2, you may file a formal grade grievance petition. This petition must be submitted before the end of the sixth week of the subsequent semester, following the semester or summer session in which the grade was assigned.
Please use this form to file a grade grievance.
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CoastColleges&layout_id=24Who will see the report? Office of Student Services, Dean of Students
Who will follow up? Dean of Students
-
Title IX / Sexual Misconduct
Title IX / Sexual Misconduct
Submit a Title IX / Sexual Misconduct report if you have experienced or have knowledge of sexual harassment/ sexual misconduct, including (but not limited to) sexual assault, sexual coercion, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, cyber-stalking, retaliation, discrimination based on gender and hate crimes based on gender.
Who will see the report? Incident referred to Title IX Coordinator for administrative review and communication with affected parties (alleged violator, alleged victim/survivor, reporting party)
Who will follow up? Title IX Coordinator
What are next steps? Specific information and process details will be shared as situation permits; information may be shared with law enforcement. Resources and support provided to alleged victim/survivor and reporting party; timely, ongoing check-ins provided as needed.
-
Conduct / Academic Honesty
Conduct / Academic Honesty
Academic Honesty is a shared responsibility of the individual student and the College’s faculty and staff.
Coastline College’s reputation relies on the individual student’s commitment to academic honesty and the effective administration of academic misconduct issues by the College’s faculty and staff.
Coastline College faculty are responsible for ensuring that grades reflect the student’s learned knowledge as exhibited in the classroom and through their coursework. Student acts of academic misconduct disrupt the educational process, weaken the College’s reputation, and present challenges for our faculty to assess academic performance fairly and accurately.
While Coastline College faculty hold primary responsibility for ensuring that academic honesty is maintained in their classes, individual students share in this responsibility. Coastline students are to refrain from engaging in academic misconduct.
The Coast Community College District’s Student Code of Conduct Administrative Procedures (AP 5500) applies to all students.
Procedures for Dealing with Academic Misconduct
Faculty Member Actions
Any Coastline faculty member who has evidence that a student has committed an act of academic misconduct, under the Student Code of Conduct Administrative Procedures (AP 5500) shall take one or more of the following disciplinary actions:
- Speak with the student about the incident.
- Issue an oral reprimand.
- Give the student an “F” grade, zero points, or a reduced number of points on all or part of a particular paper, project or examination; if the act of academic dishonesty results in a “F” grade or zero points being awarded to the student for that particular paper, project, or examination, and this result affects the student’s overall grade in the class, then the student shall be issued the proper grade, as affected by the specific “F” or zero grade, by the faculty member.
For all incidents of academic misconduct, the instructor will report the matter to the College's Disciplinary Officer in the Dean of Student Office using the Maxient Reporting Form.
Actions by the College's Disciplinary Officer
Upon receipt of a report of academic misconduct, the College's Disciplinary Officer will send a letter to the student inviting them to present a response to the allegations of academic misconduct.
The sanctions imposed for an act of academic dishonesty depend on the severity of the incident. As a result, a student may be suspended from the College on a first offense or be recommended for expulsion by the CCCD Board of Trustees.
If, following the student’s return from suspension, the College's Disciplinary Officer receives further reports of academic misconduct, they will recommend the student be expelled from the District for a period of no less than three years.
The College's Disciplinary Officer shall keep the faculty member and appropriate Dean(s) reasonably informed of the status and outcome of the disciplinary process for incidents of academic misconduct.
Examples of Academic Misconduct
Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
-
Using AI tools to generate a response, essay, or solution to an assignment without instructor permission.
-
Submitting AI-generated content as one’s own original work without acknowledging the source or obtaining instructor consent
- Taking an examination for another student or having someone else take an examination on your behalf.
- Altering a graded examination/assignment and submitting it for additional credit.
- Having another person or entity conduct research and/or write a report on your behalf.
- Stealing or attempting to steal an examination or answer key.
- Printing an online exam without the express authorization of the instructor.
- Stealing or attempting to change official academic records.
- Forging or altering grades.
- Collaborating with another student or students beyond what has been specifically approved by the instructor.
- Obtaining answers from another student before, during, or after an examination or assignment submission.
- Falsely reporting or claiming to have experienced technical difficulties with online instructional tests, quizzes, or assignments.
- Knowingly allowing another student to copy one’s work.
- Using unauthorized materials, such as notebooks, calculators, websites, or other items, without the instructor’s consent during an examination.
- Sharing answers for a take-home or online examination unless otherwise authorized by the instructor.
- Receiving help in creating a speech, essay, discussion board posting, course assignment, report, project or paper unless otherwise authorized by the instructor.
- Using a speech, essay, discussion board posting, course assignment, report, project or paper done for one class in another class unless specifically authorized by the instructors.
- Misreporting or altering the data in laboratory or research projects.
- Presenting another person’s work as one’s own: copying a speech, essay, report, discussion board posting, project or paper from another person or from other sources.
- Using outside sources (books, or other written sources) without giving proper credit (by naming the source and putting any exact words in quotation marks).
- Intentionally impairing the performance of other students and/or a faculty member.
- Engaging in collusion, i.e., knowingly or intentionally helping another student perform an act of academic misconduct.
- Using, or attempting to use materials, or assisting others in using materials that are prohibited or inappropriate in the context of the academic assignment.
-
CARE Team
CARE Team
Submit an Incident Report if you are worried about the health and safety of an individual - or have witnessed a student struggle academically or personally - and are unsure how to assist.
Who will see the report? Coastline's CARE Team
Who will follow up? One of our CARE Team Members
What are next steps? The CARE Team coordinates a plan to address concerns, including direct staff intervention. Specific communication with reporting party may occur as needed to coordinate care (for reports that are not information only). Timely, ongoing check-ins between student and the CARE Team will be provided as needed.
-
Basic Needs Assistance
Student Assistance / Basic Needs
Submit an Intake Form for Student Assistance / Basic Needs if you are facing financial hardship and need emergency supplemental food, mental health or medical assistance, help with housing, transportation, utilities, or childcare. The Basic Needs Center can help.
Who will see the report? If there are no behavioral or issues but care is needed, incident is managed through the Student Assistance/Basic Needs. Student Assistance/Basic Needs coordinates informal check-in with student and resource referral.
Who will follow up? Basic Needs Representative
What are next steps? General information provided to reporting party regarding Student Assistance/Basic Needs actions as needed.
-
Bias / Discrimination
Bias / Discrimination
Submit a Bias / Discrimination Report if you have experienced or witnessed and incident including non-criminal conduct that is motivated by hatred or bigotry and directed at any individual, residence, house of worship, institution, or business expressly because of the target’s real or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. Such incidents also include conduct directed against an individual or group because of their association with or advocacy on behalf of a member or members of a legally protected class.
Who will see the report? Coastline's Bias Education & Response Team (BERT)
Who will follow up? A BERT Member / Representative
What are next steps? Report is reviewed by Coastline's BERT and the reporting party will be contacted (if not anonymous). Incident will be documented.
-
Unlawful Discrimination
Unlawful Discrimination
If your complaint involves a claim of unlawful discrimination, please file your complaint using the complaint form available below. Please refer to the information and materials below for further information.
-
Accrediting Commission
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Student Complaint Information by State and Agency (wiche.edu)
-
Military and Veterans
Military, Veterans, and Dependents
Coastline encourages all students to contact our college first to attempt to resolve any complaints; however, military students, veterans, and their dependents can also seek assistance through the following sources:
- Military Students using TA benefits and Military Dependents using MyCAA may contact the Military OneSource Postsecondary Education Complaint System
- Montgomery or Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients may contact the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Federal financial aid (e.g. Pell Grant) recipients may contact the Department of Education: ComplianceComplaints@ed.gov
- Private student loan recipients may contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Out-of-State Students: State Authorization Compliance
Coastline College is engaged in a continuous process to certify that it is recognized as an accredited institution of higher learning by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Distance students residing outside of California, who wish to file a complaint must first follow Coastline's internal process. Students may file a formal complaint with their home state authorizing agency after exhausting internal avenues.
Students that live in the following states and districts cannot take Coastline courses: Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington DC. In New York, new students cannot take Coastline courses, however, continuing students can finish their program. In Kentucky, only Military students, may take Coastline courses.
-
Complaint Info by State
October 2023 update
Please note: Whenever possible this report used language provided by the state agency through the SHEEO Survey. In some cases, email correspondence and web site reviews were also incorporated.
- Alabama
- Alabama Commission on Higher Education - Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
- Complaints for out-of-state institutions are referred to the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education (ADPE) for response. Please see the ADPE link below. For in-state institutions, contacts are posted to the ACHE website
- Alabama Commission on Higher Education
- Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education - Office of Private School Licensing Division
- Student Complaints (AL)
- Alaska
- Coastline College is exempt from authorization under A.S. 14.48, as our programs are online and the institution does not have a physical presence in the state.
- Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
- Student Complaints (AK)
- Arizona
- Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
- Student Complaints (AZ)
- Arkansas
- Arkansas Department of Higher Education
- Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
- Student Complaints (AR)
- California
- Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
- Student Complaints (CA)
- *note currently only for institutions regulated by BPPE.
- Consumer Complaints
- *note that the CA AG Office may take complaints, but does not meet federal requirements for the new July 1, 2018 regulations - if they take effect.
- Colorado
- Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Division of Private Occupational Schools
- Student Complaints (CO)
- Connecticut
- The Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education
- Student Complaints (CT)
- Delaware
- Delaware Department of Education
- The Delaware Department of Education will investigate complaints. Such complaints must be in writing and verified by the signature of the person making the complaint. Oral, anonymous or unsigned complaints will not be investigated. Until the web site is functional, please write or call for more information. The Delaware Department of Education; Teacher and Administrator Quality; John W. Collette Resource Center; 35 Commerce Way; Dover, DE 19904. The Delaware Department of Education phone number is (302) 857-3388.
- District of Columbia
- Education Licensure Commission
- Public Complaints (DC)
- Florida
- Commission for Independent Education-Department of Education
- Student Complaint Process (FL)
- Georgia
- Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
- Student Complaints (GA)
- Hawaii
- Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
- Student Complaints (HI)
- Idaho
- Idaho State Board of Education
- Student Complaints (ID)
- Illinois
- Illinois Board of Higher Education
- Illinois BHE Complaint System
- Indiana
- Indiana Department of Workforce Development
- Office for Career and Technical Schools
- Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education
- Student Complaints (IN)
- Iowa
- Iowa College Student Aid Commission
- Student Complaints (IA)
- Kansas
- Kansas Board of Regents
- Student Complaints (KS)
- Kentucky
- Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
- Consumer Complaints (KY)
- Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education
- Louisiana
- Louisiana Board of Regents
- Louisiana Board of Regents Complaint Process
- Maine
- Maine Department of Education, Office of Higher Education Services
- Student Complaint Form (ME)
- Complaints shall be addressed in writing to the Maine Department of Education, Office of Higher Education, Augusta, Maine, 04333, with specific facts and allegations and signed by the complainant. The school shall be notified of any complaints which are to be investigated. For more information, please contact Mr. Ángel Loredo, the Higher Education Specialist - Angel.Loredo@maine.gov.
- Maryland
- Coastline College is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The institution is subject to investigation of complaints by the Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Complaints should be directed to:
- Maryland Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
- 200 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
- 410-528-8662 / 888-743-0823 (toll free)
- Complaints may also be filed with the MHEC:
- 6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Phone 410-767-3300
- Email: collegiatecomplaint.mhec@maryland.gov
- Website: MHEC Student Complaints
- Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Office of Private Occupational School Education
- Information for Students
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
- Student Complaints (MA)
- Michigan
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- Student Complaints (MI)
- Minnesota
- Minnesota Office of Higher Education
- Student Complaints (MN)
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
- Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration
- Student and Consumer Information (MS)
- Missouri
- Missouri Department of Higher Education
- Student Complaints (MO)
- Montana
- Montana University System, Montana Board of Regents
- Student Complaints (MT)
- Nebraska
- Nebraska Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools
- Nebraska Department of Education
- Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
- Student Complaints (NE)
- Nevada
- Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
- Student Complaints (NV)
- New Hampshire
- Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission
- Higher Education in New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
- Student Complaints (NJ)
- New Mexico
- New Mexico Higher Education Department
- Student Complaints (NM)
- New York
- Office of College and University Evaluation
- Complaint Form (NY)
- Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision, New York State Education Department
- Student Complaints (NY)
- North Carolina
- The University of North Carolina Board of Governors
- Student Complaints (NC)
- The North Carolina Community College System (Office of Proprietary School Services)
- Proprietary School Student Information
- North Dakota
- North Dakota Career and Technical Education
- North Dakota University System
- Complaint Process (ND)
- Ohio
- The Ohio Board of Regents
- Student Complaints (OH)
- Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
- File a Complaint (OH)
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
- Student Complaints (OK)
- Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education
- Comments or Complaints Policy (OK)
- The Oklahoma Board of Private Schools
- A Form is available by request to the OBPVS Staff, but is not required. Unless a safety or other issue requiring an in-person investigation is alleged, a "Student," complaint will be accepted and sent to the institution for a response that may then be forwarded to the complainant for further input. Nora Ann House, Director, 3700 N. Classen Blvd., Ste. 250, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, phone 405/528-3370, FAX 405/528-3366, nhouse@obpvs.ok.gov
- Oregon
- Office of Degree Authorization
- Oregon Student Aid
- Department of Education Private and Career Schools Office
- Oregon HECC Complaint Form
- Pennsylvania
- Department of Education
- Student Complaints (PA)
- Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico Council on Education
- None Listed - in English
- Puerto Rico Department of Education
- Difficulty with google translate as well.
- South Carolina
- South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
- Student Complaint Procedures and Form (SC)
- South Dakota
- Secretary of State (South Dakota Attorney General)
- Complaint Form (SD)
- Tennessee
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission
- Complaint Process (TN)
- Texas
- Texas Workforce Commission
- Complaint Process (TX)
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Utah
- Utah Division of Consumer Protection
- Complaints (UT)
- Vermont
- Vermont State Board of Education
- Complaint Process (VT)
- Virginia
- Private & Out-of-State Postsecondary Education, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
- Student Complaints (VA)
- Washington
- Washington Student Achievement Council
- Student Complaint Information (WA)
- Washington Workforce Training and Educ. Coord. Board
- Student Complaints (WA)
- West Virginia
- WV Higher Educ. Policy Commission
- Complaint Process (WV)
- Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
- Student Complaint Process (WI)
- Wyoming
- Wyoming Department of Education
- Complaint Process (WY)
*Based upon the SHEEO (State Higher Education Executive Officers) "Compendium of (State Authorization) Laws and Regulatory Practices," this summary was created with support from WCET's (WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies) State Authorization Network. SHEEO and WCET collaborated in directing the work of NCHEMS (National Center for Higher Education Management Systems) in gathering, updating, and compiling the information.
Disclosure Statement
The Coast Community College District (Coastline Community College) has provided this disclosure to you in compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as regulated in CFR 34, Sections 600.9 (b) (3) and 668.43(b).
If you have concern with anything in this disclosure, please notify Coastline Community College at 11460 Warner Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. This disclosure was last revised on 11-18-2011. Nothing in this disclosure should be construed to limit any right that you may have to take civil or criminal legal action to resolve your complaints.
CCC Student Grievance Procedures (Pre-2011 Rev.)
Compliments
Coastline College's mission is to guide diverse populations of students toward the attainment of associate degrees and certificates leading to career advancement, personal empowerment, and transfer. By meeting students where they are, Coastline provides innovative instruction and services designed to achieve equitable outcomes. strives to be a national model of educational excellence, opportunity and student success. Consistent with that mission, student satisfaction is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that students have access to appropriate processes for expressing their compliments about staff, faculty, administrators, or employees. If you are satisfied with your experience at the College, we want to hear about it! Please share your praise by contacting the person or department/office and complete this Coastline Service Compliment Form. Within 2 business days of receipt, we will acknowledge your submission and share your praise with the appropriate personnel.
Contact
For questions about Compliments or Complaints, please contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@coastline.edu or (714) 241-6004.
For questions about Unlawful Discrimination, please contact Human Resources at jwarren54@cccd.edu or (714) 241-6146.