It’s a little known fact that not every college or university can offer online classes in every state. Online education is a consumer good, and individuals states may have regulations that are more or less stringent than those of other states, or the federal government.  If interested in an online class, students outside Missouri should take these rules into consideration.

NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) oversees an agreement (The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, or SARA) which permits colleges and universities to register through a “portal agency” in their home state.  In turn, they are authorized to offer online courses in other states and territories that are part of the SARA compact.

Where is Truman Approved to Operate Online Courses?

Truman is authorized to serve students everywhere except for those in California and the Northern Marianas.  Click here for a map of our service area.

Programs that make students eligible for possible professional licensure may also have limitations based on the rules of the licensing board in a student’s home state or territory.

Reporting and Resolving Complaints

Complaint Resolution

Our hope is that every student who participates in a course or program of study at Truman has a positive learning experience.  Nonetheless, we realize that sometimes student concerns rise to a level that requires additional attention by the University.

Whenever possible, before making a complaint, the student should attempt to reach a solution by beginning their discussions with a faculty member, followed by the department chair, as needed.  It is also helpful to review existing Truman appeal policies to determine your approach to a problem:

• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Grades and Grade Point Average Appeals
• Reporting a Crime
• Complaints About a Student

If you are unable to reach a satisfactory resolution, online students enrolled through a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) who have a concern or wish to file a complaint for violation of a published policy may do so by completing and submitting an online complaint form.  The complaint form can be found http://wp-internal.truman.edu/complaints  You must be logged onto the Truman network, or enter through Truview, to file a complaint through this system.  The system will create a ticket to help record and monitor progress toward resolving your complaint.  Complaints will be addressed promptly and fairly.

Students who beliehttp://wp-internal.truman.edu/complaints/ve they have been discriminated against based on protected status, or subjected to sexual harassment or sexual violence, may report the incident to the Institutional Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator in person at Violette Hall 1308, by telephone (660) 785-4354, by email to titleix@truman.edu or electronically submit at titleix.truman.edu/make-a-report/.  The institution’s non-discrimination policy can be viewed at titleix.truman.edu/university-non-discrimination-policy/ and the complaint procedure is located at titleix.truman.edu/complaint-reporting-resolution-procedure/.

Grade appeals and student conduct code sanctions may not be appealed beyond the institution level.  All other concerns and complaints may be appealed by contacting the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development at (573) 751-2361 for information on filing a formal complaint against the University. The Program Specialist handling SARA-related complaints is Joshua Fisher.

Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

Students residing outside Missouri can also file a complaint in their home state or territory by contacting the portal entity in that location. Contact information for these authorities and information on the SARA Complaint Process can be found on the links below.

• Information on the SARA Complaint Process: https://nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints-0/
• State Portal Entity Contact Information (recommended): https://nc-sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts
• SARA‑Specific Complaint Procedures: https://nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints-process-information-state

A list of SARA participating institutions and participating states and territories is regularly updated at nc-sara.org/.

If you live in California (not in SARA), you can file a complaint per the policies on the website below:

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
Website:  www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/oos_students.shtml