Online Learning

Students should attempt to resolve any issues or complaints directly with Buffalo State and the school in which they are enrolled. Please refer to the Dean of Students Office and the course catalog which describes the appropriate complaint procedures.

For online students residing outside of New York State, SUNY Buffalo State is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

SARA is a voluntary agreement among its member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The purpose of SARA is to make it less challenging for students to take online courses and programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. Buffalo State University follows the complaint resolution policies and procedures outlined within the SARA Policy Manual and summarized on the SARA Student Complaints website.

Consumer protection complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities, and operations may be submitted to SUNY Buffalo State Dean of Student Office for investigation and resolution. If a student is dissatisfied with the campus-based resolution, a concern may be submitted to the System Administration of the State University of New York as outlined on the SUNY University Life website. And, if still not satisfied, a complaint may be submitted within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the New York State Education Department.

Please note, this does not include complaints related to grades or student conduct violations, both of which are to be fully addressed via campus processes, not through the NC-SARA complaint resolution procedures.

Resources

Dean of Students File Compliant

Course Catalog: Student Complaints, Grievances, and Appeals

DOPS: Academic Grievances