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Academic Grievance Process

The Academic Grievance Process provides students with a mechanism to appeal faculty actions related to the process of instruction and evaluation of academic performance or other academic matters pertinent to the teacher-student relationship. In filing a grievance, it is understood that the student believes their interests as a student have been adversely affected by someone’s departure from or misinterpretation of existing academic policy. (The University reserves the right to establish academic standards and the necessary policies to support them. Consequently, there may be no academic grievance of the contents of published Academic Policies established by the University, including those of individual Academic Programs and individual instructors.)

A student wishing to alter or reverse any academic action must attempt to resolve the matter expeditiously. The student shall contact the faculty member within seven (7) calendar days of the action in question to schedule an appointment (in cases where the dispute is over a grade for an assignment or test, or a final course grade, “action in question” shall refer to the date of receipt of the grade). The student is expected to present their concerns and to weigh the faculty member’s response. If not resolved, the student may discuss the matter with the faculty member’s program chair. If no resolution is reached, the student may discuss the matter with the Provost. If the student’s complaint is with the program chair, then they may discuss the matter with Provost

If the issue under dispute impacts the student’s ability to register for a course or courses in a subsequent semester, a determination of an exception to existing policy will be made by the Provost.

State Distance Education Complaint Process

State Authorization and Student Complaint Process

Lasell University is committed to providing students with clear processes for raising concerns and resolving complaints fairly and appropriately. Students are encouraged to work directly with the University to resolve concerns whenever possible. 

The complaint process available to a student may vary depending on the nature of the concern and where the student is located while participating in a Lasell University educational activity. 

Background

SARA is an acronym for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which is an interstate agreement that allows colleges and universities located in a SARA member state to offer online classes in other SARA member states without needing to obtain authorization to do so from each state individually. The Commonwealth's Department of Higher Education (DHE) serves as the Massachusetts state portal entity for SARA. This means the DHE receives and evaluates institutional SARA applications, administers the student complaint process for students of SARA institutions operating in Massachusetts, and provides support to SARA institutions in Massachusetts. Lasell University is approved by DHE to operate under SARA in providing distance (online) education.

SARA Student Complaints

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, in its capacity as the SARA portal entity for Massachusetts, reviews and evaluates student complaints regarding distance learning programs offered by Massachusetts-based institutions that are members of SARA in accordance with 610 CMR 12.07. Complaints that should be filed as a SARA Complaint are those that pertain to distance (online) education provided by Massachusetts-based SARA institutions to students residing in other states pursuant to SARA only. Complaints about a SARA institution's operations or activities in Massachusetts can be filed as a SARA Complaint and will be resolved pursuant to 610 CMR 2.00 or otherwise in accordance with Lasell's policies. 

For more information, see the SARA complaint process. 

Filing a Lasell University Complaint Form

Lasell University is committed to offering excellent education and student experience of the highest quality. In the event that you have a serious complaint against the University relating to distance education or other issues, students should be aware of the appropriate processes to follow. 

Should you have a complaint, the first step you should take is to inform the University by completing the Student Complaint Form. We want to know your concerns and would like to work with you to resolve any issues you identify. Therefore, complaints relating to distance education or other issues will be directed to the following administrators:

For Graduate and Undergraduate Programs: Michelle Niestepski, Dean of Student Success, or Chrystal Porter, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Any concern should be expressed as soon as possible after it arises.

For Massachusetts Residents and Online Students in Non-SARA Member States and Territories

After you have exhausted the complaint procedures made available by Lasell University administration,  if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education by using the consumer complaint form. The DHE consumer complaint form should be used by students who are located in:  

  • Massachusetts

  • Non-SARA Member States or Territories (e.g., California, Guam, etc.)

For Online Students Located in SARA Member States and Territories 

After you have exhausted the complaint procedures put in place by Lasell University by emailing Michelle Niestepski, Dean of Student Success, or Chrystal Porter, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, you may file a complaint with the DHE by using the SARA complaint form. The DHE SARA complaint form should be used by students who are located in SARA member states and territories.   

Additional information from the DHE's SARA complaint website is below: 

The SARA complaint process is as follows:   

  1. Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint using internal administrative procedures offered by the SARA institution.

  2. After all administrative remedies have been exhausted with the MA-SARA institution, the student may submit a SARA Complaint via the URL below.

  3. The Department shall send a copy of the complaint to the institution that is the subject of the complaint;

  4. Within 30 days of the date that the Department sends a copy of the complaint to the institution, the institution must provide a written response to the student and the Department.  

Learn more about DHE's complaint processes.