At SUNY Old Westbury we are committed to providing prompt and fair resolutions to concerns arising from our processes and performance.
The processes outlined on this page are to be used to submit formal complaints about a particular person, office, service, or condition of the University. Prior to engaging the processes outlined on this page, please be sure that you have already made every effort to resolve your question or situation with the department(s) or person(s) involved.
complete the online complaint form
A simple online form is available to begin the process of addressing the issue you are reporting. Students will need to log in to the ConnectOW portal using their campus username and password.
- Once you submit the complaint form, you will receive a confirmation email verifying that it was received.
- The corresponding Vice President or their designee will investigate your complaint. The investigation will seek to be thorough, timely, fair, and resolute.
- To the extent practicable, all aspects of the investigation conducted in accordance with this procedure will be confidential. Involved parties may not retaliate against a student for filing a grievance.
- The investigator will attempt to resolve your complaint as quickly as possible. You will be informed of its progress as it moves along.
- The decisions of the Vice President are final.
contact the ombuds
If you want assistance or need an advocate, the Ombuds is here to help. The Ombuds assists students, faculty, and staff in determining options to help resolve conflicts and other concerns. They are a great resource for bringing parties to a win/win solution.
Additional Information for Students
- Academic Grievances: A student may appeal specific grades, probation and dismissal, and degree requirements by following the Academic Grievance Procedures.
- Discrimination or Harassment: Harassment based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics is oral, written, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's protected characteristics that is sufficiently severe and/or serious, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the educational institution’s programs or activities.
- Title IX: In addition to the Discrimination and Harassment policy and procedure, the University conforms to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
- Student Conduct: The Code for Student Conduct addresses issues of student conduct and the processes by which such incidents and complaints are made, addressed, and resolved.
- Student of Concern: Faculty, staff, and students play a critical role in helping students who are in distress. The CARE team takes a proactive approach to identifying students who are struggling and provides early intervention, resources, and referrals, both on campus and in the local community.
- Criminal Activity/University Police: The University Police Department Manual of Rules includes the grievance process and related forms.
Information on State, Regional Governance, and Accrediting Bodies
SUNY Old Westbury participates in Federal student aid programs that are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Participating institutions must be legally authorized to operate within the state in which it is located. 34 CFR § 600.9 requires states to have a “process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State laws.” 34 CFR § 668.43(b) requires that institutions:
“make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.”
To comply with this regulation, SUNY Old Westbury provides the following information to our prospective and current students:
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Out-of-State Students studying in Old Westbury online courses while residing outside of New York State should follow the SARA processes outlined on the Learning Online page.
267-284–5000
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Contact the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.
Complete the Online Complaint Form
contact the ombuds
If you want assistance or need an advocate, the Ombuds is here to help. The Ombuds assists students, faculty, and staff in determining options to help resolve conflicts and other concerns. They are a great resource for bringing parties to a win/win solution.
Additional Information for Employees
- Discrimination or Harassment: Harassment based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics is oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct relating to an individual's protected characteristics that is sufficiently severe and/or serious, pervasive, or persistent to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the educational institution’s programs or activities.
- Title IX: In addition to the Discrimination and Harassment policy and procedure, the University conforms to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
- Student Conduct: The Code for Student Conduct addresses issues of student conduct and the processes by which such incidents and complaints are made, addressed, and resolved.
- Student of Concern: Faculty, staff, and students play a critical role in helping students who are in distress. The CARE team takes a proactive approach to identifying students who are struggling and provides early intervention, resources, and referrals, both on campus and in the local community.
- Criminal Activity/University Police: The University Police Department Manual of Rules includes the grievance process and related forms.
Research Misconduct Concerns
IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) is responsible for overseeing animal care and use in research, training, and education, ensuring the humane treatment and ethical handling of vertebrate animals. The committee is required by federal and state regulations and is mandated to review and approve all animal research protocols. Report any animal welfare concerns to: IACUC@oldwestbury.edu.
Individuals who report concerns to the IACUC are assured full protection in accordance with applicable whistleblower policies. Reports can be made anonymously, and the identity of the reporting individual will be kept confidential to the extent possible. The IACUC is committed to ensuring that no person who raises a concern in good faith will be subject to discrimination, retaliation, or reprisal of any kind. All concerns will be taken seriously and addressed in compliance with institutional policies and applicable laws and regulations.