Complaint Department: Who should you find when you need help?

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While in college, students tend to change their majors, take classes that are not within their majors, raise money for worthy causes and make suggestions on future classes. To help any of these processes go smoothly, it’s important to know who’s who at your university. While you attend Kent State, get to know these people because along the way, they’ll be very helpful in making your college career a successful one.

President

Kent State University’s president is Lester Lefton, who has been the university’s head for the past five years. The Kent State Board of Trustees elected Lefton in 2006. As president, Lefton’s duties include but are not limited to:

1) Serving as a figurehead for the university, often giving speeches and representing the university in a public setting.

2) Raising money for the university from donors and Kent State alumni.

3) Assisting the Board of Trustees in making major decisions for the university.

Provost

The Kent State provost is Robert Frank, who has been serving in this position since March 2007. As university provost, Frank is basically involved in every aspect of this institution — from recommending department name changes to implementing programs to increase Kent State’s retention rate. Other provost duties may include: consulting with the deans of various departments and supervising the university’s curricular and research affairs. The 2011-2012 academic year will be Frank’s last year as Kent State’s provost; he announced his resignation in early July.

Deans and Directors

The deans head specific academic departments at the university. Deans hold significant authority as the heads of their designated units, often making important decisions for the department — and the schools and colleges that fall under that particular department — with the help of the different schools’ directors.

Directors head a specific school or college that falls under an academic department. Directors often assist in implementing new programs and classes for their schools.

Common Student Questions

1. How do I change my major/minor?

Start by talking to your adviser. Your adviser will guide you through your college years and help you make the right decisions when it comes to your classes and internships. Discuss with your adviser the reason you’re interested in changing your major or minor. Once the decision to change is final, your adviser will direct you to the right paperwork to complete, which will eventually reach the director of your school and the dean of your college, and your major will be changed officially in the records.

2. If I’m having problems with a professor, who do I talk to about it?

Discuss the issue with your adviser, who may have some suggestions on how to approach the professor. Remember to always be respectful and handle the situation professionally. If the problem continues, consider discussing it with the director of your school/program.

3. If I’m unhappy with a grade, how do I handle it and who do I talk to about it?

First consider whether the grade is actually worth the work you’ve done to complete the assignment. We all would prefer a better grade, but when thinking about it rationally, sometimes the grade is appropriate, whether we want it to be or not. If you really think you deserved a better score, approach your professor about it in a polite and professional manner, and keep in mind that you still may not get what you want. If the professor refuses to change the grade — which they have every right to do — and you still think you deserved a better grade, consult with the director, who will inform you on the process of filing an appeal.

Contact Summer Kent Stater managing editor Raytevia Evans at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .