Complaint Resolution Processes

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Academic Process

Students enrolled in online/distance courses at Gaston College who have a complaint about grades or online course procedures, should follow the College’s Final Grade Appeal Procedure or the Academic Complaint by Student Procedure found in Appendix H in the Student Handbook.  The Academic Complaint by Student Form found in Appendix I in the Student Handbook must be completed by students filing a formal Academic Complaint.

Students with non-academic complaints should follow the process outlined in the Student Complaint Procedure found in Appendix J in the Student Handbook.  Questions about this procedure may be directed to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, N.C 28034
Office telephone number: 704.922.6217

Out-of-State Online Grievance

Gaston College students residing outside the state of North Carolina who desire to resolve a grievance are encouraged to first follow the applicable complaint procedure. If a complaint cannot be resolved internally, students may file a complaint with The University of North Carolina System Office, their state of residency, or with the College’s accrediting agency.

Please review the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Policy (PDF), print and complete the Student Complaint Form and submit the complaint to:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
The University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
919.962.4550
En Espanol, 919.962.4550
Website: https://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints/

In compliance with the new regulations, an institution offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student’s state.  While Gaston College strives to provide the highest quality education opportunities available, conflicts may arise. It is our aim to resolve any grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner.  if an issue cannot be solved by Gaston College’s internal processes, you may choose to file a complaint with your state of residence. The Student Grievance  Contact Information for Individual States provides phone numbers, emails and/or links to state education agencies.  

SACSCOC Complaint Procedures

The Commission on Colleges should be contacted only on matters related to the accreditation status of Gaston College and not for general college information. Gaston College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. 

SACSCOC Complaint Procedures are available for review by all Gaston College students. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500. Website: http://www.sacscoc.org/ 

SARA-NC Complaint Procedures

Students may also file a complaint through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC).  

NCSEAA 
C/O SARA North Carolina Director
PO Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: 855.SARA1NC or 855.727.2162

Fax: 919.248.6667
Email: [email protected]
SARA North Carolina is a program of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).  The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member U.S. states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. The primary objectives of SARA are to make it easier for institutions in North Carolina to provide online and distance education options to students in other states and to provide basic protections for those students. The SARA-NC Complaint Process and SARA-NC Complaint Form can be used to provide basic protections for online and distance education.