Resources for Online Students
Welcome to the John Jay Online student hub. We are excited to be part of your educational journey from beginning to end. Here you'll find all your resources to get you to graduation. From advisors to financial aid, this is your one-stop shop. Please send any questions to Ritu Boswell, student success coach.
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NC-SARA Authorization and Student Consumer Complaint Information
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is authorized to deliver online programs to students in states outside New York through participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). SARA is a voluntary agreement among member states, districts, and territories that sets national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. Four regional compacts administer the agreement, which is overseen by NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements).
New York State is a SARA member, and John Jay College is an approved NC-SARA participating institution. This allows us to offer online education to students residing in other SARA member states and territories while adhering to a shared set of quality standards and consumer protections.
Benefits of SARA for Online Students
- Expanded access to educational offerings across state lines
- Improved quality and consistency in distance education programs
- A streamlined process for resolving student complaints
NC-SARA Distance Education Consumer Protection Complaints
- SARA's complaint policies do not cover issues related to grades or student conduct violations. If you have concerns about grades or student conduct, follow the campus grievance procedures
- Students who wish to challenge a decision made by the institution can do so by appealing to the SARA State Portal Entity in New York State. Students have two years from the date of the incident related to their complaint to submit their appeal.
Student Complaint Procedures
If you are enrolled in an online program at John Jay College and reside in a SARA member state, and you have a complaint, you may follow these steps to seek resolution:
Step 1: Internal Complaint Process
Students must first file a complaint with John Jay College using the established procedures for addressing concerns. Visit the internal complaint and grievance procedures pages for more information:
John Jay College Student Grievance Procedures
Step 2: The City University of New York - CUNY Complaint Process
If no resolution has occurred on the campus level, students can then file a complaint with the CUNY Office of Student Advocacy and Referral.
The CUNY Office of Student Advocacy and Referral (COSAR) serves as a primary source of information on university rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local laws that affect students. It serves as a student advocate by ensuring university college compliance with appropriate policies and procedures and/or legal mandates, and also functions in an ombudsman role to resolve student complaints. Visit CUNY's Office of Student Advocacy and Referral (COSAR) for additional information.
Central Office of Student Affairs - COSAR
Step 3: New York State Education Department Complaint Procedures
After both the College’s and CUNY’s internal complaint procedures have been exhausted, unresolved SARA-related complaints may be appealed to:
Office of College and University Evaluation SARA Student Complaint Process
New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Office of College and University Evaluation
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
Phone: 518-474-1551
Email: IHEAuthorize@nysed.gov
Website: NYSED Complaint Process
Additional information links can be found below: