Austin College has established both informal and formal grievance procedures. Information about the student grievance process is provided in the "The Environment" Student Handbook.
Austin College desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Students who desire to resolve a grievance should follow the College’s complaint procedure and submit a complaint using the Formal Student Complaint Form.
A grievance is defined as any dispute or difference concerning the interpretation or enforcement of any provision of college regulations, policies, or procedures or any state or federal laws applicable on the campus. Administrators, faculty, and students are encouraged in all instances to resolve grievances as promptly as possible.
However, if an issue cannot be resolved internally, prospective, current, and former students may file a complaint with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and/or with AC’s accrediting agency, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Student Complaint Resolution by the State of Texas
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is the appropriate state agency in which prospective or current students may file a complaint. Information on the policy and process of how to do so can be found on their website.
Student Complaint Resolution by the Accreditation Agency
Austin College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone number 404.679.4500, at http://www.sacscoc.org. Information on their complaint policies, procedures, and form can be found online.
Complaint Process for Distance Learning Students
The Higher Education Act and the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) require that AC provide both current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints.
Complaint Appeals & the SARA Student Complaint Process
Austin College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). As part of the effort to equalize standards, create transparent complaint procedures, and equally serve all students, distance learning students in SARA member states can use the SARA Student Complaint Process for assistance in resolving certain matters. Distance learning students in Texas can use the complaint process through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Complaints concerning grades or the student code of conduct are not covered by the SARA Student Complaint Process.
The SARA process is only for out-of-state distance learning students. Students enrolled in on-campus offerings are not eligible to file an appeal using the SARA Student Complaint Process. Students within Texas enrolled in distance learning programs will need to use the Texas complaint appeal methods detailed below.
Complaint Appeal Information for Distance Learning Students in Texas
Students in Texas must first follow the AC Grievance Procedure above. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, a student from Texas may appeal to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within two years of the incident. A description of the process for complaints is available; questions about their complaint process should be addressed to studentcomplaints@thecb.state.tx.us.
Complaint Appeal Information for Distance Learning Students in a SARA State
Students in a SARA member state must first follow the AC Grievance Procedure above. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, a distance learning student from any SARA member state may appeal to the SARA portal agency in Texas within two years of the incident. Complaint appeals should be addressed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A description of the process for complaints is available; questions about their complaint process should be addressed to studentcomplaints@thecb.state.tx.us.
While the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will be the primary authority responsible for complaints, the SARA portal agency in the state where the student is located may assist as needed. Accordingly, students may wish to consult the list of SARA state portal agencies. The SARA Student Complaint Process flowchart illustrates the relationship between the AC Grievance Procedure and the SARA Student Complaint Process as well as the way in which the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will work with the SARA portal agency in the state where the student is located.