Rider University makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally, using policies and procedures outlined in the Student Code of Social Conduct and the Academic Catalog. Students are expected to fully utilize any and all such procedures to address concerns and/or complaints in as timely a manner as possible. Please note that the complaint process for distance learning students is the same as for all other students.

Student Code of Social Conduct

Code of Conduct Policy

Complaints involving violations of the Code of Conduct Policy, including criminal activity, may be made with Public Safety (West House, 609-896-5029) or with the Dean of Students Office (Bart Luedeke Center, 609-896-5101).

Anti-Harrassment and Non-Discrimination Policy

This policy governs the treatment of harassment and discrimination complaints including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.  Complaints related to these violations may be made with Public Safety (see above), the Dean of Students (see above) or Rider’s Title IX Officer (Moore Library 108, 609-895-5683).

Residence Life Policy

Complaints regarding violations of Rider’s residence regulations may be made with a resident student’s Community Assistant (CA), Community Director (CD), area director or with Residential Programs (Bart Luedeke Center, 609-896-5057) or Public Safety (see above).

Bias Incident Response Protocol

This protocol is intended to direct members of the Rider community to information that will provide direction on defining, understanding, identifying, and reporting bias-related incidents and/or hate crimes.

Report an Incident

Academic Catalog

Complaints related to the following policies found in the Academic Catalog may be made as per the links below.

Distance Learning Programs

Students in the University's distance learning programs should refer to the process for resolving complaints available on the Rider website.

Student Athlete Handbook

Rider's student-athletes have the right to appeal University decisions concerning athletics participation and/or aid. These procedures are outlined in the Student Athlete Handbook (PDF).

All Other Complaints

Rider University believes that the vast majority of student complaints can be resolved as per the information above. In cases where this is not possible, the Vice President or division head who supervises the person involved or oversees a particular department or division should be able to address the complaint. 

The following information may also be helpful should a complaint be otherwise unresolved or all other avenues provided by the University have been exhausted. 

Rider University participates in Federal student aid programs that are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Participating institutions must be legally authorized to operate within the state in which it is located. 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.” 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 its 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.”

To comply with this regulation, Rider University provides the following information to our prospective and current students:

State of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
609-292-4310
http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267-284–5000
https://www.msche.org/complaints/

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202