The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions' participation. Participation in SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Current authorized SARA member states can be viewed on the SARA Interactive Map.
Information on Complaint Resolution Policies
Federal regulations require institutions delivering distance education courses to provide students and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with the state approval or licensing entity in the student's state of residency and any other relevant state official or agency that would appropriately handle a student complaint.
SARA requires SUNY Old Westbury to provide all students taking courses under SARA's provisions with information on the university's and SARA's complaint resolution policies and procedures. SARA applies solely to distance education activity conducted across state lines. It does not apply to distance education activities inside New York State. Only those complaints resulting from distance education courses or activities offered to students in other SARA states come under the terms of SARA. Complaints from in-state students are to be resolved under SUNY Old Westbury’s provisions, not those of SARA. For general complaints from New York students, please see the Campus Complaint & Reporting Procedures. For grade-related complaints, see the campus' Academic Grievance Procedures.
Procedure for Filing Complaints (for Students Residing Outside NY)
SUNY Old Westbury is committed to investigating consumer protection concerns raised by students in distance learning courses and/or programs, including but not limited to truthfulness in advertising and accuracy of data related to course offerings, job placements, tuition, fees, and financial aid. Please note: SARA policies do not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations.
Student complaints submitted through the Campus Complaint & Reporting Procedures will be examined objectively and thoroughly by the campus office responsible for the area or content about which the complaint is being made. The Vice President responsible for the involved office will make a final determination and communicate to the student the institution’s official response to the complaint as well as any warranted redress.
Students unhappy with an internal resolution of a complaint at SUNY Old Westbury may appeal the complaint to SUNY administration. Students should refer to the SUNY Student Concerns webpage.
If SARA students at SUNY Old Westbury are not satisfied with the outcome of the campus’ complaint resolution process or SUNY administration’s process, they should contact the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Students may appeal the institution decision to NYSED within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
SARA students may refer to the NC-SARA Student Complaints webpage for further information and resources.