Student Formal Complaints

Office of Civility

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College defines a formal complaint as a written expression of dissatisfaction with the performance of a college employee, a specific college experience, and/or a college procedure. The College defines a grievance as a formal, written complaint on any College decision or action alleged to be discriminatory or have a negative effect on the student’s enrollment status at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Consistent with rules established by the U.S. Department of Education and Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges, Rowan-Cabarrus provides all enrolled and prospective students with contact information for submitting complaints and grievances directly to the College.

Rowan-Cabarrus has established specific procedures for certain specific complaints. For example, formal complaints regarding grades are subject to the Grade Appeal Procedure; complaints regarding discrimination are subject to the Student Grievance Procedure. Students will be expected to initiate their concerns or express their concern in accordance with those specific policies. Specific formal procedures and forms are listed below:

The College expects that most issues (such as those related service, classroom, technology or facilities) will be resolved informally through a discussion between the student and the appropriate faculty or staff member. Should a resolution not be reached, the student must submit a formal written complaint through our online Student Complaint Form.

Generally, students should submit a formal complaint within 30 days after the action that gives rise to the complaint. The time frame may be suspended under exceptional circumstances. The College will work with students toward a satisfactory resolution within established policies, procedures and administrative rules. At a minimum, the College will include written formal complaints as part of a continuous improvement process.

For further information, please contact:

Natasha Lipscomb, Vice President, Student Success Services
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
North Campus
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S.
Salisbury, N.C. 28144

Email: natasha.lipscomb@rccc.edu
Phone: 704-216-3622

Student Complaints and Grievances

In compliance with Federal and State regulations, an institution offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student’s state. If an issue cannot be resolved through the grievance procedures, a student who resides outside of the State of North Carolina may file a complaint with their state of residence. Access the Out-of-State Agency Directory and the State Portal Entity Liaisons.

Rowan-Cabarrus Complaint and Grievances Resolution Process

While Rowan-Cabarrus strives to provide high-quality education and interactions, on occasion, conflicts may arise. The college expects that most issues (such as those related to services, classrooms, technology or facilities) will be resolved informally through a discussion between the student and the appropriate faculty or staff member. Rowan-Cabarrus has established specific procedures for certain specific complaints. For example, formal complaints regarding grades are subject to the Grade Appeal Procedure; complaints regarding discrimination are subject to the Student Grievance Procedure. Students will be expected to initiate their concerns or express their concerns in accordance with those specific policies. Formal complaint procedures and forms are listed by the Office of Civility.

For further information, please contact:

Natasha Lipscomb, Vice President, Student Success Services
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
North Campus
1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S.
Salisbury, N.C. 28144

Email: natasha.lipscomb@rccc.edu
Phone: 704-216-3622

State Post-Secondary Education Complaints

The Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. If students are unable to resolve a complaint through the institution’s grievance procedures, they can review the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints website to review the Student Complaint Policy and submit their complaint using the online complaint form.

For more information, call 919-962-4550.

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street Suite 1800, Raleigh, NC 27603

To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit the State Attorney General’s website.
North Carolina residents may call 877-566-7226. Outside of North Carolina, please call 919-716-6000. En Espanol 919-716-0058.

If you choose to mail a complaint, please use the following address:

Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional accrediting agency for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. SACSCOC has authorized Rowan-Cabarrus to offer certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. To address claims of significant non-compliance with SACSCOC’s accreditation standards or policies, an individual may file a complaint with SACSCOC by following the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure.

Note: Per the SACSCOC policy, “This process is not intended to be used to involve SACSCOC in disputes between individuals and member institutions, or cause SACSCOC to interpose itself as a reviewing authority in individual matters of admission, grades, granting or transferability of credits, application of academic policies, fees or other financial matters, disciplinary matters, or contractual rights and obligations”. Please see the policy for additional restrictions and requirements.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097

Telephone: 404.679.4500
Website: www.sacscoc.org

SARA-NC Complaint Process

Students not residing in California may also file a complaint through SARA-NC (the SARA portal for North Carolina) by following the SARA-NC Complaint Process and using the SARA-NC Complaint Form (PDF). Students residing in California should follow the complaint process listed below.

SARA-NC Contact Information:

SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629

T: (855) SARA-1-NC (855.727.2162)
T: 919.549.8614, ext. 4667

Website: SARANC
Email Address: information@saranc.org

California Resident Complaint Process

Because California does not participate in SARA, students must submit complaints through the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834
Telephone: (833) 942-1120
Email: dca@dca.ca.gov

Students residing in California may also:

Student Formal Complaints

Reporting and Request Forms