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NC-SARA

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA)

The University of Mount Saint Vincent participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) to deliver exceptional online and distance education. The University is committed to student success and determined to ensure that all students are treated respectfully and fairly. Students enrolled in University of Mount Saint Vincent distance education programs who reside outside of New York State are protected by specific consumer protection standards. Student complaints related to distance education courses, activities, or operations must be first submitted to the University of Mount Saint Vincent for investigation and resolution.

How to File a SARA Student Complaint

  1. File a SARA complaint with the University of Mount Saint Vincent. You will be contacted by the Dean of the appropriate College within two weeks of filing your complaint. Decisions by the Dean can be appealed to the Provost ([email protected]).
  2. If your complaint with the University of Mount Saint Vincent is not resolved to your satisfaction and you are located outside of New York State, you may appeal to the SARA New York State Portal Entity within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made. Students can file an appeal by contacting the Office of College and University Evaluation:

What happens next?
The institution’s home state SARA SPE has final authority in SARA complaints. The institution’s home state SARA SPE will notify your location’s SARA SPE. Learn more about the process of filing a complaint on the NC-SARA website.

Please note that this does not include complaints related to grades or student conduct violations; complaints related to these issues will be addressed though University of Mount Saint Vincent internal processes, not through the NC-SARA complaint resolution process.