Filing a Grievance

Complaints alleging discrimination based on disability must be addressed to the Office of Student Disability Services at:

Johns Hopkins University
Office of Student Disability Services
Terri Massie-Burrell
3400 N Charles Street, Shaffer Hall 101
Baltimore, MD 21218

Process for Filing a Grievance

To begin the process of filing a grievance, the complainant must submit the complaint in writing to include the following information:

  • Name and address of complainant
  • Date of alleged incident
  • Parties involved
  • Witnesses (if applicable)
  • Specific description of allegation(s) of discrimination and impact of alleged incident on the learning process
  • Signature of the complainant
  1. A complaint must be filed within thirty (30) business days of the alleged discrimination.
  2. Following receipt of a discrimination complaint, SDS will ensure that all parties involved have an opportunity to submit information and documentation regarding the allegation(s) and shall conduct an investigation.
  3. Written results of the investigation will be issued and a copy forwarded to the complainant within thirty (30) business days of receipt of the complaint. This will complete the investigation.
  4. The complainant may appeal the findings of an investigation by submitting a written document to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), 410-516-8075, 410-516-5300 (fax), or oiedisability@jhu.edu.  The appeal must be postmarked within fifteen (15) business days of the date of the receipt of the determination.  The OIE will make a final determination and inform the complainant within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of the appeal.
  5. The university will make every effort to comply with the above timelines; however, circumstances such as holidays and scheduled school breaks may justify an extension of time.
  6. Retaliation against any persons filing a complaint is prohibited under University policy and by state and federal law.
  7. If the complaint is against SDS or their staff, the complaint should be sent directly to the Office of Institutional Equity at the above address.
  8. The Johns Hopkins University encourages the complainant to seek resolutions to the allegations/grievances within the university’s processes. Complainants also have the right to file civil rights complaints with the following external agencies:
    • Maryland Commission on Human Relations
      6 St. Paul Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202
      410-767-8600; TTY: 410-333-1767
    • U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights,
      Wanamaker Building, Suite 515
      100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107
      215-656-8541; TDD: 215-656-8604

Statute of limitations for filing a complaint is 180 days from the time the incident occurred.

For additional information, visit the university’s accessibility website.