State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Kingsborough Community College (KCC) NC-SARA Student Complaint Process
Overview of How SARA Impacts Out of State Distance Education Students with Respect to Consumer Protection Complaints
Provisions of the SARA Policy Manual, including those for consumer protection and the resolution of complaints, apply to interstate distance education offered by participating SARA institutions to students in other SARA states. Only those complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities and operations provided by SARA-participating institutions to students in other SARA states come under the coverage of SARA. Complaints about a SARA institution’s in-state operations are to be resolved under the state’s normal provisions, not those of SARA (SARA Policy Manual). SARA policies do not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations. For complaints related to grades see information regarding Grade and Tuition Appeals.
Students have two years from the date of the incident about which the complaint is made to appeal to the SARA State Portal Entity. See more information about NC-SARA and complaint resolution.
Kingsborough Community College (KCC) NC-SARA Student Complaint Process
Under NC SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) rules, students have the right to lodge a complaint or grievance if that student’s experience in an online program (KCC Flex) is not what they anticipate. KCC wants to ensure that all student complaints are addressed fairly and resolved promptly. All student complaints must be filed initially with the following KCC representative:
Kingsborough Community College
Office of Student Affairs Room A-216
2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11235
718-368- 5664
If a resolution to that complaint is not found through the above process, an appeal can be addressed to the City University of New York Office of Student Advocacy and Referral:
City University of New York
Office of Student Advocacy and Referral
205 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
Further appeal can be addressed to:
Andrea Richards
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
518.474.1551
IHEauthorize@nysed.gov
See more information about filing a complaint against a college or university in New York State by following the link to the New York State Education Department’s complaint procedures.
Professional Licensure Disclosure for Addiction Studies Certificate-AS Degree
Students who successfully complete the Certificate in Addiction Studies or the Addiction Studies AS degree program also meet the education requirements for the Certification in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling (CASAC Trainee) from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
Professional Licensure Disclosure: Our AS Addiction Studies program and Certificate in Addiction Studies are designed to prepare students for certification in New York. Please be advised that the educational requirements for professional licensure in the field of addiction studies may vary by state. This program has not been determined to meet the educational requirements for licensure in states other than New York. Upon program enrollment the advisor/program director will verify if the student’s state has a reciprocity agreement.
Issues regarding licensure and reciprocity should be directed to Professor Monica Joseph at 718-368- 5289 or Monica.Joseph@kbcc.cuny.edu
New York State is a member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) organization. The IC&RC promotes uniform professional standards with the commitment to providing high quality services for clients. The IC&RC promotes public protection by offering internationally recognized credentials through testing and credentialing of addiction professionals. Students residing outside of New York should visit the IC&RC Board Directory to see if their state is a member of IC&RC and has a reciprocity agreement for the New York State CASAC credential.
Information regarding the Student Location Policy can be found here.