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Distance Learning Concerns

There are many benefits to teaching and learning online. Online courses increase access to education for many students by providing a flexible approach to teaching and learning. Students may learn at their own pace and access course materials off campus. There are many digital technologies that facilitate effective online learning environments.

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). SARA is an agreement amongst member states to establish comparable national standards and streamline regulations around distance education programs. NC-SARA participation makes it easier for students to access distance education programs across state lines. Learn more about how NC-SARA benefits me as a student .

CSI students, including those enrolled in distance learning courses, who would like to submit their concerns related to grades, discrimination, or harassment should follow the CSI Student Grievance process. Concerns can be submitted to the CSI Office of Student Affairs or to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Students who have concerns about their distance learning experiences can follow the procedures below: 

  1. Submit concerns to the CSI Office of Student Affairs, using the following form: Student Concern Form. These procedures are guided by CUNY’s Manual of General Policy (Policy 5.20) and applies to all academic settings, online and in-person.

  2. If it is felt the complaint is not resolved by CSI, then an appeal can be directed to the CUNY Office of Student Advocacy and Referral:    
    City University of New York 
    Office of Student Advocacy and Referral 
    205 East 42nd Street 
    New York, NY 10017
    studentaffairs@cuny.edu

  3. Further appeal can be addressed by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).

Once the complaint is handled by the NYSED, NC-SARA is notified of the final complaint disposition. Only those complaints resulting from distance education courses, programs, and activities are covered by NC-SARA. For more information on the NC-SARA student compliant process can be found here:. Resolutions of complaints by SARA apply to interstate distance education offerings by participating SARA institutions to students in other SARA states. In-state complaints will be resolved under the state’s policies. SARA policies do not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations. For SARA related complaints, students have two years to submit.