Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 47
The Dean will review the request. If it is clear that the complaint has not been filed within the time limit, pertains to a matter not applicable under this procedure, or comes from a person without the right to issue a complaint, the Dean will dismiss the case and notify the complainant in writing.
If the complaint is not dismissed, the Dean will review the information provided, gather any additional information required, and formulate a decision within fifteen( 15) business days of receipt of the request. If the respondent is the Dean, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will appoint another University administrator to issue a decision. Once a decision has been made, it will be recorded for the University record, and the complainant and respondent( s) will be notified of the decision in writing.
Final Appeal If the resolution provided by the Dean is not satisfactory to the complainant or respondent, that person may file a request for reconsideration via a final appeal. Such a request must be submitted in writing to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs within five( 5) business days of receipt of the original decision. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the information provided concerning the complaint, the request for reconsideration, and details regarding the complainant’ s desired remedy. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will issue a final decision within fifteen( 15) business days of receiving the request for reconsideration. The Provost / Vice President for Academic Affairs’ decision may include one of the following options: 1. A determination that the complaint was valid; 2. A determination that the complaint was not valid; or 3. A modification of the remedy proposed by the Dean. The Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs will forward his or her decision to the complainant, respondent, and the Dean.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs’ decision is final and cannot be appealed. Interstate Complaint Process( NC-SARA)
To ensure compliance with state authorization requirements, GMercyU is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements( NC- SARA). SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. As part of our participation in NC-SARA and in compliance with Federal Regulations for Title 34 Education § 668.43 Institutional Information, Gwynedd Mercy University provides current and prospective students enrolled in online courses with information for filing complaints. The University strives to resolve complaints in a fair and timely manner. Students residing outside of the State of Pennsylvania while attending Gwynedd Mercy University who desire to resolve a complaint should refer to the University’ s grievance procedures. If after following the University procedures the issue is not satisfactorily resolved internally and the student seeks additional resolution, the resources below may be used to file complaints in the student’ s state or the institution’ s accrediting body.
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the SARA must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution. SARA consumer protection provisions require the Institution’ s Home State, through its SARA Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity by the state’ s SARA-participating institutions, including the provision of false or misleading information. The student should begin the complaint process with the