Student Complaints – Compliance

Elmira College is committed to resolving formal student complaints through internal processes and procedures outlined in the College Bulletin and Code of Conduct. Students are expected to utilize these procedures to address concerns and/or complaints in a timely manner so the College can resolve responsively.

Elmira College participates in Federal student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus is required to: “make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.”  

To comply with this requirement, Elmira College provides the following information to our prospective students and current students:  

Academic Grade Appeal | Academic Honesty | Americans with Disabilities Act | Code of Conduct  | Harassment or Discrimination | Title IX | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) | Campus Safety and Security Report

In the unlikely event that a student’s issue cannot be resolved by Elmira College, students may file a complaint with the Office of College and University Evaluation, New York State Education Department. This office should only be contacted if Elmira College has not responded to a student complaint for resolution.  Contact information is listed below:

Office of College and University Evaluation
New York State Education Department
Address:
5 North Mezzanine
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 474-3852
Website: www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/spr/COMPLAINTFORMINFO.html 

Students may also file unresolved complaints with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Elmira College’s regional accrediting agency, once all other avenues have been exhausted.  Contact information is listed below:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address:
3624 Market Street
2nd Floor West
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (267) 284-5000
Email: info@msche.org
Website: www.msche.org 

Distance Learning Complaint Process

Elmira College is approved by New York State to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Out-of-state students (individuals residing in another state while completing a course at Elmira College) wishing to complete coursework through distance learning, should be advised that Elmira College is legally authorized to provide postsecondary educational instruction and our program is comparable to those in member states, districts, and territories. This voluntary agreement indicates that Elmira College’s postsecondary distance education program is based on interstate standards and regulations. 

Complaint Process for Out-of-State Students - Elmira College is committed to resolving formal student complaints through internal processes and procedures. Students are expected to utilize these procedures to address complaints in a timely manner so the College can resolve responsively. Information regarding our internal complaint procedures can found on the Student Consumer Information page. Students should follow internal institutional procedures prior to engaging New York State/NC-SARA.

Examples of issues that impact consumer protection include, but are not limited to recruitment or marketing materials; job placement data; tuition, fee, or financial information; information pertaining to admission requirements; institutional accreditation; and information regarding the transfer of course credits to other institutions. 

In the event the internal complaint process does not end with a resolution, the student should follow the SARA Student Complaint Process. Students may also contact the SARA State Portal Entity: 

Contact: Andrea Richards
Title: Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
Phone: (518) 474-1551
Email: IHEauthorize@nysed.gov
Address:
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234

Additional information is available at:
NYSED Complaint Procedure  
Middle States Commission on Higher Education: Complaints 

Procedure for Filing Complaints

Elmira College is committed to investigating consumer protection concerns raised by students in distance learning courses, including but not limited to truthfulness in advertising and accuracy of data related to course offerings, job placements, tuition, fees, and financial aid. 

Students should initiate complaints with the Graduate and Professional Studies Advisor at graduate@elmira.edu or (607) 735-1719, who will provide appropriate procedural steps or make suggestions to assist the student to resolve the complaint, which may including advising the student to express their complaint in an email to the Director of Graduate and Professional Studies at arittenberger@elmira.edu in a written statement describing the nature of the complaint. The Director will either make a decision that is communicated in writing, or forward the complaint to an appropriate individual, college official, or committee. Information from other individuals involved with the complaint may be requested if necessary. The outcome will be documented and communicated to the student. 

In the event the complaint is filed against the Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, the complaint should be submitted directly to the Provost at pireland@elmira.edu or (607) 735-1804.