Students taking distance education courses at Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) should resolve any issues or complaints with the College first, in accordance with the Grievance Procedure outline below. If an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student can file a complaint with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), and can follow the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) complaint process. Below are more details.

A student who has an issue or complaint against the College may request consideration of the matter under the general grievance procedure. Included might be situations where the student feels the College policies and procedures do not comply with applicable laws, or where a College administrator, staff member or faculty member is perceived as acting unfairly or improperly in carrying out assigned tasks or responsibilities.

To request consideration under the general grievance procedure, a student should consult with an Advisor in the Student Services area, and/or the appropriate Director, Chair or Dean, to determine how best to resolve the issue informally. Most grievances are resolved at this stage.

If the matter is not resolved informally, the student should present a written statement explaining the grievance to the Dean of Students. He or she will delegate the review of

the student’s issue to the appropriate administrative office or official for prompt review and determination of required action. The review process will generally be completed within 45 calendar days of receipt of the written statement.

Should the matter remain unresolved after the review process initiated by the Dean of Students, it may be appealed in writing to the VP of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs or the VP of Academic Affairs. He or she will delegate the review on appeal to an appropriate College administrator or faculty member for a final determination. Their decision is final.

If an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student can file a complaint with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Here is a link to NYSED’s complaint procedures (http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/filing-complaint-about-college-or-university).

SARA – the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – provides a streamlined, reciprocity based process for participating postsecondary institutions to gain approval to offer interstate distance education in SARA member state without individually applying to each state for such approval, subject to certain limitations.* As such, students who are enrolled in online programs, and who have a complaint that is not resolved internally, may turn to the SARA State Portal Entity.

Students must first direct their complaint to Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) for investigation and resolution. If the complaint remains unresolved after all institutional procedures have been exhausted, complaints may be directed to the

SARA State Portal Entity through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website. Students have two years from the date of the incident about which the complaint is made to appeal to the SARA State Portal Entity. Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be filed to the SARA State Portal Entity. Complaints about fraud or criminal activity under SARA may be sent to the State Attorney General or the State Education Department. Here is the link to the NC-SARA complaint process (https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints).

*SARA Policy Manual, June 27, 2022; Version 22.1