Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
3 . State how the decision or action was unfair and / or harmful to the complainant ; 4 . State how the respondents are responsible for the action or decision ; and 5 . State the requested remedy .
The Dean will review the request . If it is clear that the complaint has not been filed within the time limit or 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 ( b ) 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 State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement ( 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
52