NC-SARA

Are you enrolling or enrolled in one of these programs at CSI?

• 100% online programs
• Online programs with field experiences
• Programs leading to professional licensure in another state

If yes, please be aware of the following information on this page.

NC-SARA

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). SARA is an agreement amongst member states to establish comparable national standards and streamline regulations around distance education programs. NC-SARA participation makes it easier for students to access distance education programs across state lines. Learn more about how NC-SARA benefits me as a student: https://www.nc-sara.org/what-are-student-benefits.

Professional License Disclosures

Based on the U.S. Federal Regulation, 34 CFR §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with SARA, it is required to notify prospective and current students as to whether courses or programs that lead to professional licensure will meet the professional licensure requirements in the state where the students reside. If you reside outside of New York State and are interested in one of CSI’s programs that lead to licensure, please review the Professional Licensure Disclosures.

Complaints Related to Distance Learning

Complaints Related to Grades, Discrimination, or Harassment

CSI students, including those enrolled in distance learning courses, who would like to submit their concerns related to grades, discrimination, or harassment should follow the CSI Student Grievance process. Concerns can be submitted to the CSI Office of Student Affairs or to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Complaints Related to Distance Learning

Students who have concerns about their distance learning experiences can follow the procedures below:

1. Submit concerns to the CSI Office of Student Affairs, using the following form: Student Concern Form. These procedures are guided by CUNY’s Manual of General Policy (Policy 5.20) and applies to all academic settings, online and in-person.
2. If it is felt the complaint is not resolved by CSI, then an appeal can be directed to the CUNY Office of General Counsel, ogc@cuny.edu.
3. Further appeal can be addressed by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).

Once the complaint is handled by the NYSED, NC-SARA is notified of the final complaint disposition. Only those complaints resulting from distance education courses, programs, and activities are covered by NC-SARA. For more information on the NC-SARA student compliant process can be found here: https://www.nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints-0. Resolutions of complaints by SARA apply to interstate distance education offerings by participating SARA institutions to students in other SARA states. In-state complaints will be resolved under the state’s policies. SARA policies do not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations. For SARA related complaints, students have two years to submit.