State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Complaint Procedures

The University of Kentucky has taken steps to address student complaints related to online education and distance learning activities, which include educational activities occurring outside of Kentucky or occurrences related to or stemming from these activities. Such activities including online education are governed by the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which sets forth uniform standards and guidelines for offering education across U.S. states and territories. 

As a result, the University has a legal and regulatory obligation to track student complaints to help monitor the quality of our operations and services.  

Examples of complaints might include: 

• Allegations that a current or prospective student was not adequately informed about whether a program meets professional licensure requirements in another state; 
• Allegations of curriculum or evaluation violations for an online course or program; 
• Allegations of inaccurate information regarding online tuition, fees or financial aid; 
• Allegations of misleading accreditation information for an online program; 
• Allegations of misleading information about credit transfers for online programs; and or 
• Allegations that the university has violated any other policy described in the SARA Policy Manual or the SACSCOC standards of accreditation 

 

How Can I File a Complaint? 

If you are a current or prospective distance learning student, you may file a complaint at any time using the process and steps outlined below. 

Initiate Your Complaint  

STEP 1.  Initiate the complaint resolution process by filing your complaint with the appropriate office or department listed on the Dean of Student's website.  

STEP 2.  Once your complaint is filed, follow all instructions provided to you including completion of any procedures and collaboration with the appropriate office or department needed to resolve your complaint. 

Unresolved Complaints 

STEP 3.  If your complaint remains unresolved after you have completed all necessary procedures, in most cases, you may be able to escalate your complaint to another University office or department and appeal the complaint decision. 

STEP 4.  If your complaint is still unresolved after exhausting all internal procedures the University has available, students enrolled in distance learning courses, activities, and operations located in other SARA states may file their complaint with the Kentucky Sara Portal entity. The entity will investigate and make an independent determination. Complaints must be submitted within 2 years of the incident which led to the complaint.  

Resolving Complaints with Other State Entities 

In addition to filing a complaint with the Kentucky SARA Portal entity, as a non-resident, distance learning student, you may also file a complaint with the state entity where you are permanently or temporarily residing or located while enrolled and receiving instruction at the University. 

Please click below to view more information on the portal entity for the state you are interested in.