Student Complaints
Sinte Gleska University is seeking approval to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
NC-SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts. Institutions that are members of SARA are authorized to provide online education to students from all SARA member states. For more information about the SARA initiative and the progress of state and institutional membership, please visit https://nc-sara.org/
Complaint Resolution
The University has established procedures for handling most complaints, including grade changes, discrimination and other classroom allegations, and academic dishonesty charges. If a conflict arises, students are encouraged to reach out to appropriate personnel to discuss concerns, grievances and complaints. Students are encouraged to pursue Sinte Gleska University’s internal complaint process for any grievances before contacting external sources for resolution.
Grade appeals
Students have a right to appeal decisions on grades. The entire procedure can be found in the student handbook.
(link: https://www.sintegleska.edu/uploads/1/1/3/8/11384118/sgu_student_handbook_.pdf) Overview: The student should first contact the instructor from which the grade was received. If the student is dissatisfied with the results of the discussion, the student must present a written complaint outlining the specific details of the complaint to the Chairperson of the department involved. The Chairperson will render his/her findings on the complaint to all parties (student/instructor) within 10 days of his/her receipt of the student complaint. If either party is dissatisfied with the results of the finding of the Chairperson, the party will file a formal written appeal including the initial complaint and response by the Chairperson, with the Student Standards and Conduct Committee outlining the specific details of the appeal. The Chairperson must do this within 30 days of the response. In the event that the complaint is against the Department Chairperson, the student should go to the Vice President of Academic Affairs with a written complaint outlining specific details of the complaint within 30 days of the alleged misconduct of the Department Chairperson. The Student Standards and Conduct Committee will consist of three faculty members who are not Faculty Council representatives and three students as appointed by the Director of Student Services. This committee will hear appeals and will render its findings and determination within 15 days of the appeal hearing.
Procedures for Filing Allegations of Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
As a Tribally-controlled institution of higher education, Sinte Gleska University seeks to create and support a positive educational environment through its academic programs, services, activities, policies and procedures aimed at providing protection against sex discrimination and harassment. SGU condemns discrimination and harassment in its education programs and activities based on sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Sinte Gleska University strives to maintain and enhance its ongoing commitment to the fair treatment of all individuals and to supporting survivors of sexual assault through this process. To accomplish this, the University has designated an individual to oversee Title IX policies and procedures, including the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Rule on sexual harassment and misconduct at institutions of higher education
Questions regarding any step of the process should be directed to the SGU Title IX Coordinator Jarrod Gunhammer at 605-846-8140 (office); 605-786-7091 (cell); midas@sintegleska.edu.
SGU Title IX Policy: http://www.sintegleska.edu/uploads/1/1/3/8/11384118/sgu_title_ix_policies-procedures_aug_14_2020.pdf
External Resources
Pursuant to 34 CFR 668.43(b), U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Integrity Rules, requires Sinte Gleska University to provide students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its state approval or licensing entity. Students who reside in SARA States may choose to file a complaint with the South Dakota Department of Education. Students residing in states not participating in SARA may appeal to their state of residence. Please see below to find the contact information for each state agency that would handle the complaint.
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-621-7440
https://www.hlcommission.org/
South Dakota Department of Education
800 Governors Dr.
Pierre, SD
605-773-3134
https://doe.sd.gov/
SARA States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
