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.
State Portal Entities
Alabama - Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Alaska - Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Arizona - Arizona State Board of Private Postsecondary Education
Arkansas - Arkansas Department of Higher Education
California (Non-SARA state) - State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
Colorado - Colorado Department of Higher Education
Connecticut - State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education
Delaware - Delaware Department of Education
District of Columbia - Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Florida - Florida Commission for Independent Education
Georgia - State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Hawaii - Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program
Idaho - Idaho State Board of Education
Illinois - Illinois Board of Higher Education
Indiana - Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Iowa - Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Kansas - The Kansas Board of Regents
Kentucky - Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Louisiana - Louisiana Board of Regents
Maine - Maine Department of Education
Maryland - Maryland Higher Education Commission
Massachusetts - Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Michigan - Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Minnesota - Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Mississippi - Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Missouri - Missouri Department of Higher Education
Montana - Montana University System
Nebraska - Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Nevada - Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
New Hampshire - New Hampshire Department of Education
New Jersey - The State of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
New Mexico - New Mexico Higher Education Department
New York - New York Office of College and University Evaluation
North Carolina - The Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina General Administration
North Dakota - North Dakota University System
Ohio - The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Oklahoma - Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Oregon - State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Department of Education
Puerto Rico - Consejo de Education de Puerto Rico
Rhode Island - Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
South Carolina - South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
South Dakota - Attorney Office of the General Division of Consumer Protection
Tennessee - Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Texas - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Utah - Utah System of Higher Education
Vermont - State of Vermont Agency of Education
US Virgin Islands - University of the Virgin Islands ; Contact Camille McKayle at cmckayl@uvi.edu
Virginia - Virginia State Council of Higher Education
Washington - Washington Student Achievement Council
West Virginia - West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Wisconsin - Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
Wyoming - Wyoming Community College Commission