Complaint Process for Students

Federal regulations require the University to provide contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with its State approval or licensing entity. Individuals may file complaints regarding a violation of state consumer protection laws, including but not limited to fraud and false advertising; a violation of state law or rule relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and/or complaints relating to the quality of education or other state or accreditation requirements.

Individuals who wish to submit these types of complaints regarding the graduate or undergraduate educational program at Auburn University should first address complaints to:

Andrew Taylor
Manager, Academic Compliance
Office of Academic Effectiveness
209B Samford Hall
Auburn, AL 36849
Telephone: (334) 844-9130
E-mail: alt0011@auburn.edu

The University expects that any student complaint will be filed in accordance with University procedures currently in place at the institution before resolution is sought from the University’s accreditation body. In order to facilitate an effective response, initial complaints should include the complainant’s full name, address, and contact information, including email and telephone number. Complaints should specify enrollment status, i.e., whether the complainant is a current, former or prospective student. The description of the complaint should include dates and University officials that were involved or who have been contacted. Any supporting documentation, such as emails or other correspondence, should be included in order to help others understand the events leading to the complaint. The complaint should state what, if any, remedy is sought.

For students looking to file an academic grievance, please click here for Auburn’s Student Academic Grievance Policy.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education.

Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, Education Specialist, and Doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Auburn University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

The SACSCOC policy “Complaint Procedures Against SACSCOC or Its Accredited Institutions” appears on the SACSCOC web site at www.sacscoc.org.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education.

Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, Education Specialist, and Doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Auburn University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

The SACSCOC policy “Complaint Procedures Against SACSCOC or Its Accredited Institutions” appears on the SACSCOC web site at www.sacscoc.org.

Federal regulations require the University to provide contact information of state agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning or correspondence education within that state. Students are encouraged to first use the University’s Internal Complaint Process outlined above prior to filing a complaint with a state agency or agencies.

If you are a distance learning student and reside outside the State of Alabama and have a complaint and would like to contact the appropriate agency in the state where you reside, click on your state for information on where to address your complaint. You can also visit NC-SARA for more information on the student complaint process.

Last updated: April 22, 2024