Complaint Procedure

The University of Sioux Falls desires to resolve student concerns and complaints in an atmosphere of mutual respect in a fair and amicable manner. Students are encouraged to resolve their complaints informally at the level of the dispute; however, should this approach fail or be inappropriate, students may submit written complaints through the online complaint form.

Institutional Complaint Process
A student with a complaint or concern with a department or within the classroom should begin by taking the matter to the staff, faculty or department in which the issue or concern has originated. In most instances, complaints can be resolved through an informal process when expressed to the individual or if necessary their supervisor verbally or in an electronic format such as email, texting, etc.

If a student’s concern is not resolved at the informal level, then the student has the right to submit a formal written complaint following either the academic or non-academic concerns and/or complaint process found in the academic catalog or student handbook.

Formal academic concerns and/or complaints should follow the Academic Appeals process found in the academic catalog.

Formal non-academic concerns and/or complaints should follow the appropriate link based on the nature of the concern or and/or complaint.

Students exposed to acts of sexual harassment, stalking, relationship violence, sexual exploitation and sexual assault need to report a potential Title IX incident.
All other complaints should submit a formal complaint using this form

External Agencies

Students should exhaust all avenues of communicating informal student concerns and formal complaints before filing a complaint with the appropriate regulatory agency, such as accrediting bodies and/or appropriate state government agencies.

South Dakota Regulatory Consumer Information

Students who have gone through the University’s complaint process and the complaint has not been resolved, he/she can direct a formal complaint with state regulatory or to the Division of Consumer Protection through SD Office of the Attorney General.

Some examples of such complaints may include:

Violation of South Dakota consumer protection laws
Engaging in fraud or false advertising
Violation of South Dakota laws relating to licensure
Failed to provide an educational program meeting contemporary standards for content and rigor
Failed to assign qualified instructors; or
Violated one or more accreditations requirements.

State Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

The University of Sioux Falls is a participating institution in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). As a participating institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC- SARA) it establishes comparable national standards and oversight through a regional approach to state oversight of post-secondary distance education. Online students who have a complaint with USF should attempt to resolve their grievance directly with the University through Title IX Procedure, Academic Appeals process, or non-academic concerns and/or complaint process before filing a complaint with SARA. Online students enrolled in a distance education course and who are unsatisfied with the resolution for their concern and/or complaint may file a grievance using the SARA Complaint Resolution Form or visit the state's website.

California Residents - complaints involving out-of-state institutions may be filed with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Information Center, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834. Students can file complaints online or call toll-free 833-942-1120.

Institutional Accreditation

Higher Learnign Commission | 230 S LaSalle St., Suite 7-500 | Chicago, IL 60604-1413 | (800) 621- 7440
www.hlcommission.org