Complaint Resolution Process | Online Learning | Case Western Reserve University

Internal Resolution

Distance education students are encouraged to first attempt internal resolution by following the University’s Academic Grievance Procedure. Case Western Reserve University’s Academic Grievance Procedure (also referred to as Academic Grievance Policy) can be found in the Case Western Reserve University General Bulletin. See “Academic Policies” under the School of Graduate Studies and “Academic Policies and Procedures” under Undergraduate Academics.

If you need further assistance concerning the University’s academic grievance procedure, please contact your School or the appropriate University Department:

External Resolution

In the event a resolution cannot be achieved internally via the University’s Academic Grievance Procedure, a student has the right to contact the appropriate external agency. Determining which agency to contact depends on whether the student resides in a SARA state or a non-SARA state.

Choose below determine which path to follow for resolving your complaint

If you live in a SARA State

First attempt internal resolution by following the University’s Academic Grievance Procedure
If you are a student in a SARA State and your issue cannot be resolved via the University’s internal process, the next step is to file a complaint with the Ohio SARA Portal Entity.
The appeal must be made within two years of the incident

SARA Student Complaint Process
FAQ About Filing a SARA Complaint

If you live in a non-SARA State

First attempt internal resolution by following the University’s Academic Grievance Procedure
If the issue cannot be resolved via the University’s internal process, the student has the right to appeal to the appropriate agency within their residence state

California, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are the only non-SARA state and U.S. territories.

Complaint Contacts by State

Choose a State to access contact information for SARA, State Attorneys General, and other consumer protection agencies.

Alabama

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Alabama Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 302000 Montgomery, AL 36130-2000
Student Complaint Process and Form

Alaska

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
Consumer Protection and Student Complaints

Arizona

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1740 W. Adams, Suite 3008
Phoenix, AZ 85007
https://ppse.az.gov/complaint

Arkansas

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Arkansas Division of Higher Education
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
Email: dhe.private.careered@adhe.edu
Complaint Form

California

California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
PO Box 980818
W. Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Email: bppe@dca.ca.gov
Complaint Form

State of California Department of Justice
Office of the Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Consumer Complaints

Colorado

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Colorado Department of Higher Education
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Filing a complaint

Connecticut

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Connecticut Office of Higher Education
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105-2326
Complaint Process

Delaware

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Delaware Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
820 N. French Street 5th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
Email: consumer.protection@state.de.us

District of Columbia

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First St. NE Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: (202) 727-6436
Email: osse@dc.gov
Complaint Process and Form

Florida

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Commission for Independent Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Email: amy.lefstead@fldoe.org
File a complaint

Georgia

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E. Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084-5334
Tel: (770) 414-5334
Complaint Rules and Student Complaint Form

Hawaii

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
HPEAP Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (808) 586-7327
Email: hpeap@dcca.hawaii.gov

Idaho

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Idaho State Board of Education
650 West State Street 3^rd Floor
Boise, Idaho 83702
Complaint Procedures and Form

Illinois

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Illinois Board of Higher Education
Institutional Complaint System

Indiana

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Indiana Commission for Higher Education
101 West Ohio Street Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Complaint Processes and Forms
Email: complaints@che.in.gov

Iowa

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Iowa Student Aid Commission
Complaint Process and Form
Tel: 877-272-4456 (toll-free)

Kansas

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Kansas Board of Regents
Complaint Procedure and Form
Tel: 785.430.4240

Kentucky

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Consumer Complaint Submission Form
Tel: 502-573-1555

Louisiana

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Board of Regents
1201 N. Third St., Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA
Tel: (225) 342-4253
Student Complaint Process

Louisiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
Tel: 800-351-4889
Email: ConsumerInfo@ag.louisiana.gov

Maine

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

State of Maine
Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Complaint Form

Office of the Maine Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Consumer Protection Division

Maryland

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N. Liberty Street 10th FL
Baltimore, MD 21201
Student Complaint Process / Complaint Form
Email: PCS-Complaint.mhec@maryland.gov

Massachusetts

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Complaint Process and Form

Michigan

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Consumer Information Section
(includes the Statement of Complaint Form and Instructions)

Minnesota

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Compliance Process / Form

Mississippi

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Missouri

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Montana

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Nebraska

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Nevada

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

New Hampshire

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

New Jersey

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

New Mexico

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

New York

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

North Carolina

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

North Dakota

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Ohio

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Oklahoma

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Oregon

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Pennsylvania

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Puerto Rico

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Rhode Island

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

South Carolina

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

South Dakota

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Tennessee

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Texas

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Utah

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Vermont

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Virgin Islands (US)

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Virginia

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Washington

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

West Virginia

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Wisconsin

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Wyoming

Ohio SARA Portal Entity:
The Ohio Department of Higher Education
Student Complaint Process and Form
Tel: (614) 466-6000
Email: odhe-complaints@highered.ohio.gov

Federal Compliance

Per federal compliance regulations, Case Western Reserve University is required to provide complaint resolution processes and list the contact information of official entities or agencies within each state designated to handle complaint resolution. States are required by the US Department of Education to have complaint processes available to any enrolled or prospective distance education student.

Types of complaints and where to direct them

University Policy and the laws of the State of Ohio:

Grade disputes
Student conduct violations

Any State's Attorney General and other State Agencies:

Criminal misconduct
Violations of federal law
Violations of general-purpose laws

SARA investigates allegations of fraud and misrepresentation concerning but not limited to the following. (An attempt at resolving the complaint via CWRU’s internal process must precede the appeal to SARA.)

Complete and accurate admission requirements for courses and programs
Veracity of recruitment and marketing materials
Accuracy of information (tuition, fees and financial aid; job placement data; whether course work meets any relevant Professional Licensing; requirements or the requirements of specialized Accrediting Agencies; programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;