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Complaint Resolution for UAkron Online Students

The University of Akron is committed to providing all students with an exceptional educational experience and strives to work with students to resolve any issues that may arise.

United States Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 668.43(b)) require institutions of higher education to have a process to handle complaints for prospective and enrolled students. This page describes the processes available and provides links to supporting policies, documentation, forms, and contacts. You have certain rights and responsibilities as stated in The University of Akron Bylaws (3359-42-01-C2, 3359-11-13, 3359-41-01, or 3359-24-02) and in the Student Code of Conduct.

  1. All UAkron Online students should attempt to resolve complaints first with the University.
  2. For academic complaints, you should first work with the course instructor.
  3. If that proves unsuccessful, the chair of the academic department should be consulted.
  4. If the matter still remains unresolved, you should talk with the dean of the college.
  5. If the matter still remains unresolved, should contact the Office of Academic Affairs, Email: OAA@uakron.edu

For out-of-state online students:

Non-instructional complaints

If you are located in a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) state, you must first go through The University of Akron's standard procedure for the resolution of student grievances. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process, a complaint alleging fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, may be brought to the Ohio SARA portal entity. The Ohio portal entity will notify the SARA portal entity in the state where you are located. Your home state entity may assist as needed. Resolution of the complaint by the Ohio SARA portal entity is final. View complaint form.

Examples of types of student complaints that may be brought to a SARA portal entity include, but are not limited to, complaints regarding accuracy of job placement data, tuition or fee information, accreditation, whether a program meets professional licensing requirements, or course transfer information. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not allowed under SARA.

Higher Learning Commission Complaint Process

The University of Akron is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (opens in new window). Students may submit a complaint about an HLC-accredited institution using the HLC complaint process (opens in new window).