Overview of SARA
Roberts Wesleyan University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.
Participation in SARA allows Roberts Wesleyan University to offer distance education programs to students who reside in other SARA member states and provides a framework for addressing certain consumer protection complaints related to distance education.
Institutional Complaint Procedures
Students who have a complaint related to their educational experience at Roberts Wesleyan University should first attempt to resolve the issue using the University’s internal complaint and grievance procedures.
Complaints relating to grades or the academic process should follow the Student Academic Grievance Policy outlined in the University’s Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
Other student concerns should follow the University’s established student complaint procedures.
Students must complete these institutional processes before submitting a complaint through the SARA complaint process.
SARA Consumer Protection Complaints
SARA consumer protection provisions address complaints related to institutional misrepresentation, fraud, or other misleading practices in connection with distance education programs offered across state lines.
Examples may include concerns related to:
Accuracy of recruitment or marketing materials
Accuracy of tuition, fees, and financial aid information
Accuracy of job placement or employment data
Accuracy of admissions requirements
Accuracy of institutional or programmatic accreditation information
Whether coursework meets professional licensing requirements
SARA consumer protection provisions apply only to distance education activities offered across state lines.
SARA policies do not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations.
Filing a SARA Complaint
Students enrolled in Roberts Wesleyan University distance education programs who reside outside of New York State should follow these steps when filing a complaint.
Step 1 – Attempt Institutional Resolution
Students must first attempt to resolve the complaint through Roberts Wesleyan University’s internal grievance or complaint procedures.
- 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. Steven Bovee, Interim Chief Academic Officer (BoveeS@roberts.edu).
Documentation demonstrating that the institutional process has been completed may be required.
Step 2 – Contact the SARA State Portal Entity
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the institution, students may submit a complaint to the New York State Education Department Office of College and University Evaluation, which serves as the SARA State Portal Entity for New York.
New York State Education Department | Office of College and University Evaluation
Andrea Richards
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 474-1551
Email: IHEauthorize@nysed.gov
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.
Additional Information
Students seeking additional guidance about the SARA complaint process may review the following resources:
NC-SARA Student Complaint Process
https://www.nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints-0
New York State Education Department SARA Student Complaint Procedures
https://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/sara-student-complaint-process