Amherst College provides distance education to its students residing in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and all U.S. states except for California pursuant to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). More information on SARA can be found at https://nc-sara.org/. Amherst College also provides distance education to its students located in the State of California. The State of California allows nonpublic higher education institutions that grant undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, or both, and that are formed as nonprofit corporations and are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to offer distance education to its residents. Amherst College does not offer programs that are intended to lead to professional licensure (e.g., teaching, nursing, etc.).
Complaints Regarding Distance Education
This policy governs student complaints resulting from Amherst College’s distance education courses, activities and operations. Students must first make and attempt to resolve such complaints in accordance with Amherst College’s internal policies (provided that allegations of criminal offences or violations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ general-purpose laws may be made directly to the relevant state agencies).
The following complaint procedures are available to Amherst College students based on the subject matter of the complaint as it relates to distance education:
- Grade Change Policy (https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/registrar/faculty/grading-information/grade-change-policy-instructions)
- Section 504 Grievance Procedure
- Sexual Misconduct Policy
(https://www.amherst.edu/offices/title-ix/title-ix-policy) - Nondiscrimination Statement
- The Resolution of Student Grievances with Members of the Faculty
(https://www.amherst.edu/offices/student-affairs/community-standards/community-standards-processes/student-grievances-with-members-of-the-faculty) - The Resolution of Student Grievances with Administrators, Staff, or Visitors
(https://www.amherst.edu/offices/student-affairs/community-standards/community-standards-processes/student-grievances-with-administrators-staff-and-visitors) - General Grievance Policy for Distance Education [https://www.amherst.edu/mm/631350]
If a student complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved after the student has exhausted all options under Amherst College’s internal policies and procedures, the student may file a written complaint with state authorities. The procedures for filing a complaint with state authorities vary depending on the student’s place of residence.
Residents of Massachusetts: Students may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education using the procedures and complaint form found here: [link to: https://www.mass.edu/forstufam/complaints/complaints.asp]
Residents of SARA member states and territories: The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and all U.S. states except for California are members of SARA. Residents of SARA member states and territories may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education by using the SARA procedures and complaint form found here [link to https://www.mass.edu/foradmin/sara/complaints.asp]. The complaint must be filed within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made. Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations are governed solely by the College’s internal policies and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and cannot be escalated as described herein.
Residents of non-SARA member states and territories (including California and Guam): Students may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education using the same procedures and complaint form provided for Massachusetts residents above, and may also file a complaint with authorities in their home state or territory:
California: https://www.bppe.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml
Guam: https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/gu.html
Distance Education General Grievance Procedure
Amherst College students who are enrolled in distance education courses during the 2020-2021 academic year may file a grievance under this procedure regarding any matter that: 1) relates to a distance education course; and 2) is not otherwise the subject of an applicable grievance procedure of the college. Any such grievance may be submitted using this form [https://www.amherst.edu/mm/652711]. The College will review the grievance and endeavor to respond within 15 business days. If the College determines that the grievance is subject to a different policy or procedure, the College will direct the student to the appropriate policy or procedure.
Amherst College Distance Education Student Complaint Form
This complaint form may be used by any Amherst College student to resolve a complaint that relates to a distance education course, as set forth in the College’s Distance Education Complaint Policy [https://www.amherst.edu/mm/631349].
Please provide the following information:
* Required
*First Name
*Last Name
*Student ID Number
Class Year
*Nature of your complaint (check all that apply)
- Grade change
- Discrimination
- Disability discrimination and/or failure to provide reasonable accommodations
- Sexual misconduct or discrimination (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity)
- All other discrimination (i.e., discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law)
- Complaint against a member of the faculty
- Complaint against an administrator, staff member, or visitor
- Any other complaint that is related to distance education and is not covered above
*Please describe your complaint in detail. Describe any steps you have taken to resolve this matter, including the names and/or titles of any Amherst College faculty or staff member you have contacted about this matter and their response (if any).
*Please describe your requested outcome.
Please attach any supporting documents you wish to submit with your complaint.
Please submit your complaint to: ofgc@amherst.edu
Amherst College will endeavor to provide a response to your complaint within 15 business days. If the College determines that your complaint is subject to a specific complaint procedure, you may be required to take additional steps under that procedure.