Student Grievances

A student is encouraged to discuss academic progress, suggestions, or concerns with Sonoran Desert Institute staff, faculty, or administration. It is suggested that the student contact the staff by email or telephone. For concerns related to Satisfactory Academic Progress or academic standing, please refer to the SAP appeals process for more details. For any other concern, grievance, or complaint that is not satisfactorily addressed through informal conversation, the student may submit a formal complaint relating to the following unresolved areas:

• Administration
• Finance
• Technical issues
• Faculty performance
• Program content

When the Institute receives an SDI Student Grievance Form, the Grievance Committee will contact the staff/faculty members directly involved and attempt to reach a resolution. Within 15-business days after receipt of the SDI Student Grievance Form, the Grievance Committee will provide the student with a written response of the Institute’s decision.

If not satisfied with the decision, the student may appeal that decision in writing, to the Institute’s president. The president will respond to the student within 15-business days after receipt of the appeal. The decision of the president is final, and the Institute will conclude the investigation regarding the grievance.

If the student’s complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the Institute’s grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details. The State Board mailing address and contact information is listed below. The Grievance Committee will keep a log of all formal complaints.

Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education

1740 W. Adams, 3rd Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-5709

Website: www.ppse.az.gov/

 
The student may also file a complaint with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Their contact information is listed below.

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-234-5100
Fax: 202-332-1386

Website: www.deac.org

Arkansas students may contact the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AR HECB) to file a complaint or Grievance if they are dissatisfied with the institution’s resolution of a complaint or grievance. AR HECB can be contacted at:

Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-371-2000

Website

An individual may contact the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education for review of a complaint. The bureau may be contacted at:

P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Phone: (916) 574-8900
Fax: (916) 263-1897

Website

Georgia students may contact the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GA NPEC) to file a complaint or grievance if they are dissatisfied with the institution’s resolution of a complaint or grievance. GA NPEC can be contacted at:

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E Exchange Place, #220
Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 414-3300

Website

Kansas students may contact the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) to file a complaint or grievance if they are dissatisfied with the institution’s resolution of a complaint or grievance. KBOR may be contacted at:

Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 250
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
785-430-4240

Website

Kentucky students may contact the Kentucky Commission on Propriety Education (KCPE} to file a complaint or grievance if they are dissatisfied with the institution’s resolution of a complaint or grievance. KCPE can be contacted at:

Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education
500 Mero Street, 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-4185 | Fax: 502-564-4248

Website

The KY CEP form can be found here.

Wyoming students may contact the Wyoming Department of Education to file a complaint.

Wyoming Department of Education
122 W. 25th St., Ste E200
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7675

The complaint process can be found here.