During the course of their education or employment, individuals may have concerns or complaints about University of Oregon School of Law personnel, policies, practices, or procedures. Below are resources that provide opportunities to express concerns and for Oregon Law to respond and improve.

Complaints Relating to ABA Program of Legal Education Standard 510

The University of Oregon School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school. In accordance with Standard 510 of the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Approval of Law Schools, students at the University of Oregon School may file a complaint concerning the law school’s program of legal education.

A “complaint” is a written communication intended to bring to the attention of the law school a significant problem directly implicating the school’s program of legal education and its compliance with the ABA’s Accreditation Standards. 

Complaint Filing Procedure

Submit the complaint in writing to the Associate Dean of Students or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  Complaints must be dated, and provide in detail the behavior, program, process or other matter that is the subject of the complaint, and how the matter implicates the School of Law’s program of legal education and its compliance with specific, identified ABA Standard(s).  Complaints may be filed in person, or via fax, e-mail or mail. 

The complaint must be dated, signed, and include the student’s name, official law school e-mail address, a street address and a telephone number to facilitate communication with the student concerning the complaint.

The relevant Associate Dean will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within seven (7) days.  Acknowledgement may be made by email, US mail, or personal delivery.

Within three weeks of acknowledging receipt of the complaint, the Associate Dean will either meet or correspond with the complaining student, providing a written response to the substance of the complaint or informing the student that additional investigation is needed.  If further investigation is needed, the student shall be provided with information about what steps are being taken and an estimated date for the completion of the investigation.  The written response will specify what steps are being taken to address the complaint.

If the student is dissatisfied with the response to, or resolution of, the complaint, the student may file a written appeal with the Dean of the Law School.  The student must file an appeal no later than three weeks after being advised of the Associate Dean’s response to the complaint or of the steps being taken to address the complaint. The Dean’s decision shall be final.

A record of all Standard 510 complaints, and a summary of the process of addressing and investigating each complaint and a record of each complaint’s resolution in the Office of the Dean for a period of eight years from the date of the final resolution of the complaint.

Non-Retaliation

University and law school officials, including faculty, administrators and staff members are prohibited from retaliating against a student who files a Standard 510 complaint.  Students who believe they have been retaliated against should file a written complaint with the Associate Dean or the Dean. Complaints, including complaints of retaliation will not be included in students’ files.  Students may request the opportunity to inspect their files.