Online Student Consumer Protection Procedures

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that sets national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. States and institutions such as Hilbert College that partner with NC-SARA are bound to certain standards of performance and consumer protection. Out-of-state online students have the right to file a complaint if they believe their rights as a consumer have been violated. The first step is to file a complaint directly with Hilbert College. If the result is not satisfactory, the student may file a complaint to the State of New York.

Online Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling AA Program

For questions about credentialing in New York as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor, you may contact the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports at https://oasas.ny.gov/credentialing/casac.

Online ASAC Program License by State

Complaint Procedures

Student Consumer Complaints

All students who have a complaint against Hilbert College are strongly encouraged to discuss the matter in question with the appropriate Hilbert College departments or employees most directly involved as a first step towards resolution. Hilbert College is committed to the respectful and fair treatment of students and to creating an environment where students can report serious academic and non-academic concerns in a safe and responsive setting. Hilbert College has policies and resources available to guide students on how to report issues of concern in the Student Handbook.

If a grievance does not fall under one of the categories listed in the Student Handbook, students should consult with the Dean of Students:

Gregory Roberts, Dean of Students
Franciscan Hall, Suite 107
groberts@hilbert.edu, (716) 926-8935

Submit a Complaint	NC-SARA Complaint Procedures

Below is a list of possible examples for students to file complaints against if any of the following are in violation:

Veracity of recruitment and marketing materials;
Accuracy of job placement data;
Accuracy of information about tuition, fees and financial aid;
Complete and accurate admission requirements for courses and programs;
Accuracy of information about the institution’s accreditation and/or any programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;
Accuracy of information about whether course work meets any relevant Professional Licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized Accrediting Agencies;
Accuracy of information about whether the institution’s course work will transfer to other institutions;
Operation of distance education programs consistent with practices expected by institutional accreditors (and, if applicable, programmatic/specialized accreditors) and/or the C-RAC Guidelines for distance education.

Submit a Complaint

Follow-Up Procedures

If you believe that Hilbert has not adequately resolved your issue, you may file a complaint with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) by following the procedures listed on the NYSED website.

File a Complaint with NYSED

For questions or complaints about programs related to professions with licensure or certification in New York, please see the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions’ website at Office of the Professions | Office of the Professions (nysed.gov) or contact opprogs@NYSED.gov.

For New York State Licensure areas, please view the New York State Licensed Professions | Office of the Professions (nysed.gov) page.

For students living out-of-state and involved with distance learning/online education courses: NC-SARA complaint information.