Policy Statement
Fayetteville Technical Community College encourages the prompt and fair settlement of student grievances. A student may present a grievance without fear of coercion, restraint, interference, penalty, reprisal, or retaliation.
The purpose of the student grievance policy and procedure is to provide a system to resolve student complaints against faculty, staff, or other students including alleged illegal discrimination on the basis of age, gender/sex, race, color, national origin, political affiliation, disability, or other conditions.
Academic Appeals
Appeals of admissions decisions, individual grades, academic probation and/or suspension, attendance problems, disciplinary sanctions, and dismissal will not be considered under this policy, unless illegal discrimination is alleged. Such appeals will be considered according to the guidelines set forth in III-7, Appeals and Due Process.
These guidelines and processes are also detailed in FTCC’s Student Handbook under the heading of Appeals and Due Process, which itself is part of the Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Judicial Processes section. The Appeals and Due Process information begins on the bottom of Page 51 of the Student Handbook.
Academic Matters
Fayetteville Technical Community College has been approved by the State of North Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary education.
Students enrolled in online/ distance courses at FTCC who have a complaint about grades, college decisions, or other FTCC procedures should follow the College’s policies for Student Complaints and Grade Appeals. These procedures are listed in college’s Student Handbook (PDF format) and College Catalog (PDF format).
Accreditation
Fayetteville Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC Complaint Procedures are available for review by all FTCC students.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 679-4500
Website: http://www.sacscoc.org/
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the institution’s grievance procedures, students may file a complaint with the University of North Carolina General Administration. Please review the Student Complaint Policy (PDF), print and complete the Student Complaint Form (PDF) and submit the complaint to:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina General Administration
910 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688
919-962-4550
Website: http://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints
If an issue cannot be resolved internally, the student may file a complaint with his/her state.
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 FTCC 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 FTCC’s internal processes, you may choose to file a complaint with your state of residence.
SARA NC
Students may also file a complaint through SARA NC. SARA North Carolina is a program of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member 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 NC 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. SARA NC Complaint Process and Complaint Form.
Discrimination Issues
Students should follow the process outlined in the Student Grievance Policy also found in the Student Handbook. To view the Student Complaints process, including discrimination, and Grade Appeals process go to the Student Handbook.