Every state has the authority to regulate which postsecondary institutions offer education within its boundaries, including online programs and courses. The need to seek state authorization for online learning depends on a combination of each state’s laws and the activities that a course, program, or institution is conducting in that state.
UNC Charlotte participates in the national State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA, see additional information below) and is, therefore, authorized to offer online programs and courses in all its member states and territories. Details on state authorization at UNC Charlotte can be found at the School of Professional Studies State Authorization page.
SARA Complaint Resolution Procedures: UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte’s State Authorization Student Complaint Resolution Procedures can be found at the School of Professional Studies State Authorization page. With all student complaints, students are advised to put their concerns in writing and carefully document the events that led to the complaint or grievance. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible after the event occurs; some of the procedures have specific deadlines for filing grievances or complaints.
A complaint is typically an informal expression of dissatisfaction regarding a student’s day-to-day student experience, such as a concern about campus facilities, long wait times for services, or a minor disagreement. These are best handled through direct, informal conversation with the relevant department to find a quick and practical solution. (In contrast, a formal grievance is a formal allegation that a specific university policy, standard, or procedure has been violated and is handled under the Student Grievance Procedure.)
The Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) unit in the Dean of Students Office can provide guidance about complaints and formal grievances and appropriate avenues to express concerns about University experiences. If a complaint cannot be resolved to the student’s satisfaction through the institution’s complaint process, students may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit.
If the complaint or grievance is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction after completing the above steps AND the complaint pertains to online/distance education, students may also file a complaint through SARA North Carolina (SARA-NC), or in the state in which they reside (if residing outside North Carolina). Please note: SARA North Carolina does not accept complaints regarding grades or student conduct violations.
Students may also file a complaint with UNC Charlotte’s regional accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
SARA Student Complaint Process
Section 4.5 of the NC-SARA Policy Manual also provides complaint resolution procedures. To access these procedures, please visit SARA North Carolina (SARA-NC). Generally, complaints against an institution operating under SARA policies go first through the institution’s own procedures for resolution of grievances.
Effective through June 30, 2026: If a person bringing a complaint is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process for handling complaints, the complaint (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made. The resolution of the complaint by the institution’s home state SARA State Portal Entity, through its SARA complaint resolution process, will generally be final.
Effective beginning July 1, 2026: If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the institution’s complaint process, the resolution of the complaint (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) may be appealed, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the SARA State Portal Entity of the home state of the institution or to the SARA State Portal Entity of the state in which the student is located. The SARA State Portal Entity that receives the appeal shall notify the SARA State Portal Entity of the institution’s home state and provide to the student the contact information of the SARA State Portal Entity of the institution’s home state. The resolution of the complaint appeal by the institution’s home state SARA State Portal Entity, through its SARA complaint resolution process, will generally be final.
Effective through June 30, 2026: While the final resolution of the complaint rests with the SARA State Portal Entity in the home state of the institution against which the complaint has been lodged, the SARA State Portal Entity in the complainant’s location state may assist as needed. The final disposition of a complaint resolved by the home state shall be communicated to the SARA State Portal Entity in the state where the student lived at the time of the incident leading to the complaint, if known.
Effective beginning July 1, 2026: The SARA State Portal Entity of the institution’s home state shall communicate its final resolution of a complaint appeal to the student and to the SARA State Portal Entity of the state where the student was located at the time of the incident leading to the complaint, if known.