SARA Complaint Procedure

As a Houghton University online student, you are taking courses under an approved State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). If you should have a complaint about your online program or courses, we ask that you contact the Associate Provost to share your concerns. Details regarding your complaint will be gathered, investigated and a resolution communicated to you.

Student Complaint Process

Houghton University seeks to ensure that all student complaints are handled in a manner fairly, equitably 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).

Houghton University operates its distance education programs under the approval of NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements). NC-SARA consumer protection provisions require the institutionโ€™s home state, through its SARA State Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonesty or fraudulent activity by the stateโ€™s SARA-participating institutions. Per NC-SARA guidelines, โ€œStudent 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.โ€ 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. Ann Monroe-Baillargeon, Associate Provost (Ann.Monroe-Baillargeon@houghton.edu).

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 the student has the right to file a complaint with the NYS Office of College and University Evaluation. Please note that complaints relating to grades, the academic process and general student conduct issues are not governed by this SARA distance education complaint procedure.

The New York State SARA Portal Entity is: Andrea Richards Supervisor of Higher Education Programs IHEauthorize@nysed.gov 518.474.1551 New York State Education Department 89 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12234 United States

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand studentsโ€™ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.