Student Rights and Responsibilities provides an online reporting system, called Vaqueros Report It, which allows students, staff and faculty a way to report any potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct, a concerning student behavior or a complaint. The reporting system consists of six categories listed below. If you have any questions about which Vaqueros Report It form to use, contact Student Rights and Responsibilities at 956-665-5375 (Edinburg), 956-882-5141 (Brownsville) or via e-mail at srr@utrgv.edu.
Please read each Vaqueros Report It category and click on the link to begin your Report It concern.
Academic Dishonesty (faculty only)
(Students who want to report academic dishonesty must use the Student Code of Conduct reporting form.)
Academic violations include cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying official records related to the University.
Faculty members have two options to resolve suspected issues of academic dishonesty:
- Submit direct referral of the incident to Student Rights and Responsibilities for resolution or
- Complete a faculty disposition form (the student does not dispute the facts and signs a form that includes the sanction and waives his/her right to the hearing process)
Both are reported on a single form (Faculty Report / Faculty Disposition Form) and the form should be attached to the Academic Dishonesty report submitted online. Please read the procedures for reporting an academic dishonesty violation and the sanctioning guidelines.
Student Violations
Alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct (e.g. alcohol, drugs, academic dishonesty, disorderly conduct, harassment, hazing, weapons, vandalism, etc.)
Equity & Title IX
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free from discriminatory conduct on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. Sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in any form (including sexual violence) will not be tolerated. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression are also prohibited.
Concerns About a Student
Concerns About a Student form.
Issues or behavior concerning the well-being of a student that are perceived to be harmful, worrisome or threatening (to the individual student or others). These reports are forwarded to the Student of Concern Intervention Team which will assess, consult and respond to the incident.
Residence Life Violations
Residence Life Violations form.
Alleged violations of Residence Life Policies/Handbook by students that reside in any of the UTRGV residence halls should be reported on this form. The violation or concern must have occurred in one of the residence halls.
Complaints
Issues or complaints with an individual or department at UTRGV that cannot be resolved can be reported on this Report It Form. Our office is committed to appropriate resolution of the complaint in a timely manner.
UTRGV Complaint Processes (compliant with DOE “Program Integrity” Regulations)
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC § 1.110-1.120) require The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to provide a student complaint procedure that complies with the U.S. Department of Education’s “Program Integrity” regulations as part of UTRGV’s eligibility for Title IV federal funds. View the THECB complaint process.
Students wishing to file a formal complaint under the THECB process must ensure they have first brought their complaint to UTRGV’s attention through UTRGV’s complaint processes. Students may submit complaints through Vaqueros Report It. If the matter is unresolved after exhausting UTRGV’s complaint processes, the student may then file a formal complaint with THECB.
Students making a complaint to the THECB may submit required forms and supporting documentation in PDF format by email to studentcomplaints@thecb.state.tx.us, or by regular mail to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Office of General Counsel, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788. Original documents should not be submitted, as the THECB cannot return documents received.
Accreditation-related complaints regarding UTRGV’s accreditation may be made to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) under its complaint procedures. A complainant should complete SACSCOC’s Complaint Form and send two signed copies to the President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. The details of the SACSCOC complaint process explain that it is intended to address significant, documented, alleged non-compliance with SACSCOC accreditation standards, policies, or procedures. Complainants are expected to have attempted to resolve the issue through UTRGV’s complaint processes before filing a complaint with SACSCOC.