If an SHSU Online student has an issue and/or complaint with an online course or online program, the university offers the opportunity for resolutions via established processes designed to help resolve concerns and grievances.
Definition of Grievable Actions
A grievable action is an action that:
- 1. Is in violation of written campus policies or procedures, or
- 2. Constitutes arbitrary, capricious or unequal application of written campus policies or procedures.
The Dean of Students' Office provides student grievance services to address concerns of currently enrolled SHSU students. The function of this service is to personally assist students in achieving satisfactory resolutions to university related challenges listed above. Additionally, the Dean of Students Office makes referrals to appropriate campus departments or offices when necessary.
To utilize this service, after consulting the SHSU Student Guidelines, simply complete the SHSU Student Grievance intake form and the Grievance survey and return it to the Dean of Students' office, after which you will be contacted.
Remember, an important function Dean of Students' Office is to serve as your advocate!
Texas Distance Education
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) adopted rules codified under Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Sections 1.110 – 1.120, on October 25, 2012. The rules create a student complaint procedure to comply with the U.S. Department of Education's "Program Integrity" regulations, which require each state to have a student complaint procedure in order for public and private higher education institutions to be eligible for federal Title IV funds.
The first step in addressing a complaint is to follow your institution's complaint procedures. If your institution is unable to resolve the matter after you have exhausted their complaint and appeal processes, you may file a complaint with this Agency.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
Click Here for THECB Website
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
All universities are required to provide both current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting body and the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in a student's resident state. Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral and professional degrees.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 300334097 or call (404) 6794500 for questions regarding the accreditation of Sam Houston State University.
If you would like to file a complaint with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, download the SACS Complaint Procedures Policy Guide and submit the included form.
For more information regarding filing a complaint with SACSCOC, please see the "complaints" section of the SACSCOC FAQ page.
NC-SARA
Every student deserves a positive educational experience. Sometimes a student’s experience may not be what they anticipate, and the student may have a concern or a complaint.
SARA consumer protection provisions require the institution’s home state, through its SARA State Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity by the state’s SARA-participating institutions, including the provision of false or misleading information.
A student has the right to lodge a complaint or grievance. The institution should ensure that all concerns and complaints of students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.
For more information on filing a complaint, visit the NC-SARA Student Complaints page.