NC-SARA Student Complaint Procedure

Houghton University operates its distance education programs under the approval of NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements). This agreement unites participating U.S. states, districts, and territories under a common framework for regulating distance education and helping ensure clear, consistent standards for students engaged in online learning beyond their home state.

SARA guarantees that students enrolled in distance education programs offered by participating institutions have a clear and accessible process for submitting consumer protection complaints. The agreement focuses primarily on issues involving institutional misrepresentation, fraud, or other deceptive practices. Note that complaints regarding grades and general student conduct issues are not governed by this SARA distance education complaint process.

Student Complaint Process

Houghton University seeks to ensure that all student complaints are handled in a manner that is fair, equitable and transparent. Students with a complaint relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Grade Grievance Policy (also listed in the University Catalog) regardless of your state of residency.

Per NC-SARA guidelines, “Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.” More information about SARA student complaints is available on the NC-SARA website. Students with complaints outside of the academic process that are specifically related to NC-SARA policies, within the last two years, may be directed to Dr. Jill Jordan, Interim Provost (Jill.Jordan@houghton.edu).

For complaints not resolved at the institutional level, a student may file an appeal in one of the following ways (dependent on their state residence):

NC-SARA Member Out-Of-State Student Complaint Contact Information

For students based outside of New York State seeking to file a complaint against a higher education institution, follow the appropriate procedures to ensure your concerns are addressed effectively.

  1. Attempt Resolution at the Institutional Level: Complaints relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Grade Grievance Policy.
  2. If all grievance procedures have been followed, all avenues of appeal exhausted and documentation provided that such procedures have been exhausted and the matter remains unresolved, then students who reside in a SARA member state outside of New York have the right to file a complaint with the NYS Office of College and University Evaluation.

NC-SARA State Portal Contact: Andrea Richards
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
518.474.1551
IHEauthorize@nysed.gov

Non-SARA Member Out-Of-State Student Complaint Contact Information

Students not residing in a SARA member state who seek to file a complaint against a higher education institution should follow the appropriate procedures to ensure their concerns are addressed effectively.

  1. Attempt Resolution at the Institutional Level: Complaints relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Grade Grievance Policy.
  2. Students with complaints not resolved at the institutional level who have followed all grievance procedures and protocols defined by the University, and do not reside in a SARA member state, may seek advisement from the appropriate office in the student’s state of residence.