Student Complaint Procedures
SUNY Canton Student Complaint Procedure
A student has the right to lodge a complaint or grievance. SUNY Canton ensures that all concerns and complaints of students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. Any person who believes he/she has been aggrieved by the College may file a complaint with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students within 90 days of the alleged occurrence or event giving rise to the grievance. Complaints may be made in person, by telephone, or in writing. An official complaint form and guidelines are available in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students:
Courtney Bish
SUNY Canton
Miller Campus Center 229
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617
315-386-7120
bish@canton.edu
You will be asked to discuss your problem with a responsible college representative, one who may best be able to resolve your concerns.
In response to a written complaint, the College will investigate the allegations and respond to the grievant in a timely manner. Should the need arise, the College may contact the grievant for further information or clarification of the complaint. The complaint may be referred to a responsible campus official for resolution; any final determination of a formal complaint will be made by an individual not directly involved in the alleged problem.
No adverse action will be taken by the College against the student or other complainant.
The College will maintain a written record of the complaint and its resolution or disposition, including appropriate documentation, for a period of six years. Such file will be retained in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
State University of New York (SUNY) Complaint Procedure
If the individual is unable to resolve the complaint with SUNY Canton or believes that the college has not properly addressed the concerns, the individual may file a complaint with the SUNY System. The SUNY mailing address for such a purpose is State University of New York, System Administration, State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246.
New York State Education (NYSED) Complaint Procedure
If the individual is unable to resolve the complaint with SUNY Canton or believes that the college has not properly addressed the concerns, individuals can file a complaint with the New York State Education Department. The website includes guidance on the process, instructions, and the form (as well as the address) for submitting the complaint.
NC-SARA Complaint Procedure
The NC-SARA Complaint Procedure is to be used by all distance education students attending SUNY Canton by way of its participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, NC-SARA. NC-SARA policies provide consumer protection and complaint resolution to distance education students within multiple states.
SUNY Canton follows the complaint resolution policies and procedures outlined within the SARA Policy Manual and summarized on their webpage for Student Complaints. Consumer protection complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities, and operations may be submitted to SUNY Canton for investigation and resolution.
The student should begin the complaint process by following the SUNY Canton Student Complaint Procedure at the top of this webpage. If a student is dissatisfied with SUNY Canton’s resolution, a concern may be submitted to System Administration of the State University of New York as outlined on the SUNY Office of University of Life webpage for student concerns. 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 webpage on how to file a complaint about a college or university. Please note that this does not include complaints about grades or student conduct violations, which are to be fully addressed via campus processes, not through the NC-SARA complaint resolution procedures.