Dakota College at Bottineau Student Complaint Policy
As a regionally accredited institution, Dakota College at Bottineau has a Student Complaint Policy. The Student Complaint Policy, also published in the Student Handbook, outlines the appeal process for administrative and academic concerns and is applicable to all Dakota College students.
The North Dakota University System and Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Student complaints not resolved through the College's procedures above may be presented to the North Dakota University System by calling 701-877-5703 or going to the North Dakota SARA Portal.
Concerns regarding the college's compliance with the Standards for Accreditation, not a specific student complaint, may contact Dakota College at Bottineau’s regional accrediting agency, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For information on this process, please consult Complaints Against Affiliated Institutions. For guidance on filing a complaint, email complaints@hlcommission.org.
The Department of Education Oversight
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008, and reauthorizes the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) contains numerous federal reporting and disclosure requirements for information from various administrative areas of higher education institutions.
Dakota College at Bottineau Response
Dakota College at Bottineau is currently working cooperatively with higher education authorities in other states and U.S. jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the authorization requirements that govern online courses and programs offered in those states or jurisdictions. Dakota College at Bottineau monitors authorization requirements the states and jurisdictions in which it enrolls online students, and, if authorization or licensure is or becomes necessary, works with those jurisdictions to obtain approval. In addition, Dakota College complies with federal regulations by publishing complaint processes on its campus website.
Complaint Resolution for Online, Out-of State Students
Dakota College at Bottineau is required to have contact information on its website for out-of-state students who want to file a complaint within their home state. This list is subject to change and the college is working with a number of national organizations to update it as needed.
To find the complaint form for your state's Department of Higher Education, open this online document , then locate and select the link for your home state. If an agency is not listed for your state, you may contact the Department of Education, Department of Higher Education, or the Attorney General's office in your home state. This option is available regardless of whether or not Dakota College at Bottineau is required to be registered in the state.
After exhausting the institution's complaint process, a student participating in distance education under SARA may submit an unresolved SARA-related complaint to the North Dakota SARA State Portal Entity:
North Dakota University System Office
Claire Gunwall
Director of Academic Affairs & Workforce Innovation
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230
stateauth@ndus.edu
A student may also submit the complaint to the SARA State Portal Entity in the state where the student is located; however, final resolution of the SARA complaint is the responsibility of North Dakota as the institution's home state.