Accreditation State Authorizations

The US Department of Education requires all higher education institutions, other than federal institutions and tribal institutions, to comply with the laws and regulations of the states in which they operate. Higher education institutions also are required to provide contact information for the government agency in each state responsible for addressing student complaints.

State Authorization Status for Distance Learning Programs

FDU distance learning programs are authorized through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) for all states with the exception of California. However, students from California may enroll in any FDU distance learning program. Under current law, Fairleigh Dickinson University is not required to seek formal approval to offer fully online distance learning programs, including those that include internships or practicums.

Online Student Complaints

Fairleigh Dickinson University students enrolled in online programs should first attempt to resolve complaints with the appropriate FDU administrative or academic office. Students who have exhausted internal complaint procedures and remain unsatisfied may contact the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, which is the authorizing agency for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s participation in NC-SARA or, for jurisdictions that do not participate in NC-SARA, the State Authorizing Agency of their state of residence.

Grade Appeal Procedure

While it is recognized that faculty hold the right and responsibility to grant a grade, a student who receives a grade that he or she believes to be unwarranted may appeal that grade by engaging in the following process:

  1. Within the first three weeks* of the start of the following full semester (fall or spring) in which the grade is received, the student shall have informally appealed the grade to the instructor. If no resolution of the matter results to the student’s satisfaction, the student may initiate the following formal appeal process.
  2. The student shall request in writing a meeting with the respective department chairperson or school director concerning the grade in question.
  3. The chair or director shall report to the student on the resolution of the appeal within two weeks of that meeting.
  4. If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student has one week to appeal in writing to the dean of the college in which the course is taught.
  5. The dean shall review the entire matter with the student, the faculty member and/or the chairperson/school director involved.
  6. If the dean feels there is no basis for a grade change, that determination is final and should be conveyed to the student in writing within two weeks of receipt of the student’s appeal.
  7. If the dean believes that an erroneous grade exists, the dean shall attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor. If, however, resolution is not achieved, the dean shall refer the case to the College Ad Hoc Grade Appeal Committee.
  8. The committee is expected to convene within two weeks after receipt of the dean’s referral.
  9. Each College Ad Hoc Grade Appeal Committee shall consist of three faculty and one alternate selected by the college dean, and a professional staff person selected by the dean of students. Whenever possible, two of the faculty shall belong to the department or discipline of the instructor whose grading is in question.
  10. The committee shall have the authority to recommend an appropriate course of action to the dean who shall have the authority to implement the recommendation. The recommendation shall be conveyed to all parties involved, in writing.

*In the case of a student who is being kept from either graduating or registering because of the grade in question, the process should begin immediately upon receipt of the grade report. If either the instructor or department chair/school director is unavailable, the student may proceed directly to the dean.

Complaints Concerning Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct

The University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct applies to the conduct of, and protection of, University faculty, staff, administrators, supervisors, employees, students, volunteers, guests, patrons, independent contractors, or clients and visitors of the University. This Policy provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of reports of Prohibited Conduct.

The University has designated the Vice President of Human Resources to serve as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator has primary responsibility for administering its Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct and assuring the University’s compliance with Title IX, VAWA, and their state counterparts.

University Title IX Coordinator:

Rose D’Ambrosio, Vice President of Human Resources
dambrosi@fdu.edu
(201) 692-2706
Dickinson Hall, Mail Code: H-DH3-05
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666

For Concerns or Complaints Other than Grade Appeals or Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct:

Please contact the Office of the University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs:

Dickinson Hall, Mail Code H-DH1-01
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666

Contact Information for Student Complaints by Jurisdiction

Fairleigh Dickinson University students should first attempt to resolve complaints with the appropriate FDU administrative or academic office. Students who have exhausted internal complaint procedures and remain dissatisfied may contact the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, which is the authorizing agency for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s participation in NC-SARA or, for jurisdictions that do not participate in NC-SARA, the State Authorizing Agency of their state of residence.

New Jersey

Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
20 West State Street
4th floor, PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
609-292-4310 or 609-292-8052
http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/SARA.shtml

California

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
916-431-6959 or bppe@dca.ca.gov