SACS~
COC
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
COMPLAINTS AGAINST INSTITUTIONS:
INFORMATION SHEET AND FORM
The following is intended to provide information to persons wishing to file a complaint about an institution
accredited by the Commission on Colleges. Before filing a complaint, please read the Commission
policy “Complaint Procedures for the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions”—see
www.sacscoc.org. The Commission reviews complaints submitted by students, faculty, and other
members of the public about its member institutions. This information helps the Commission assure that
an institution continues to meet the standards of accreditation set by the membership. Procedures have
been established, therefore, to provide a mechanism for the Commission to consider complaints that
address significant violations of the Commission’s standards.
All institutions accredited by the Commission on Colleges are required to have in place adequate
procedures for addressing complaints by students, employees, and others. As outlined in the complaint
policy, it is the responsibility of the complainant first to attempt to resolve the matter with the institution.
The complainant is responsible for providing evidence that all remedies available at the institution have
been exhausted. In order to file a complaint with the Commission on Colleges, the complainant must
describe these efforts on the complaint form.
How to File a Complaint Against an Institution
Accredited by the Commission On Colleges
Please use the attached complaint form to submit a formal complaint. You must complete all applicable
sections of this form before the complaint will be reviewed. It must be submitted in hard copy, not
electronically nor through facsimile transmission. Precisely state the complaint using three sentences
or less. Provide the details that support your complaint. Give a description of the steps that were taken to
exhaust the institution’s grievance or complaint process. For both responses, you may attach additional
sheets of paper if you need more space. Include with the form copies of any documents that pertain to
your complaint. Please submit two copies of the form and the attachments.
Please refer to the attached Commission policy for a description of the process for reviewing complaints.