Austin Peay State University Complaint Policies for Certain Distance Education Students

The below policies apply to students who are:

• non-Tennessee residents in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) states and who are enrolled in a distance education program/course or
• who are attending an out-of-state learning placement in a SARA state.

The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations.  For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3. 

Institution Complaint Policies

Please visit the Statement of Grievance and State Law Violations webpage for more information on APSU’s complaint procedure and policies.

Additional Complaint Policies

• Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)
  • Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
  • Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.
  • The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
  • Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
  • Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.
  • Any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by an authorized postsecondary educational institution or its agent that is a violation of Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 or Rule Chapters 1540-01-02 or 1540-01-10, may file a complaint with THEC after exhausting the institution complaint process. More information is available at THEC Complaint Review Process, 312 Rosa Parks Ave., 9^th Floor, Nashville, TN, 37243, (615) 741-3605. Students may also contact THEC.RCD@tn.gov with questions.]