NC-SARA Student Complaint and Grievance Process

Student Complaint Process

Roberts Wesleyan University seeks to ensure that all student complaints are addressed fairly and equitably. Students with a complaint relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Student Academic Grievance Policy (also listed in the Academic Catalog).

New York State Residents - Student Complaint Contact Information

For New York State residents 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 Student Academic Grievance Policy.
   
   
2. New York State Education Department (NYSED): If your complaint isn't resolved satisfactorily at the institutional level, you can contact the NYSED Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE). Contact Information:

   Mailing Address: New York State Education Department
   Office of College and University Evaluation
   89 Washington Avenue, EBA Room 960
   Albany, NY 12234

   Email: ocueinfo@nysed.gov

   Phone: (518) 474-1551

SARA and Out-of-State Distance Education Students

Roberts Wesleyan University operates its distance education programs under the approval of NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements). Students residing outside of New York State who are enrolled in Roberts Wesleyan University’s distance education programs have specific consumer protection rights. NC-SARA consumer protection provisions require the institution’s home state, through its SARA State Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonesty or fraudulent activity by the state’s SARA-participating institutions. 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.”

For more information on the NC-SARA Student Complaint Process visit https://www.nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints-0.

Steps for filing a complaint (non-NYS Residents)

1. Attempt Resolution at the Institutional Level: Complaints relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Student Academic Grievance Policy.
   
   Students with complaints outside of the academic process that are specifically related to NC-SARA policies may be directed to Dr. Marlene Collins-Blair, Interim Chief Academic Officer (collinsblair_marlene@roberts.edu).
   
   
2. File a Complaint with the NYS Office of College and University Evaluation: If all institutional 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 this SARA distance education complaint procedure does not govern complaints related to grades and general student conduct issues.

A student may appeal the institution's decision to the SARA State Portal Entity in New York State within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made.