Complaint Process for Online and Low-Residency Students
At Lesley, we strive to resolve student complaints within our academic and administrative departments. Online and low-residency students who have a complaint about a University process or procedure may submit a written complaint at feedback@lesley.edu. We'll forward the complaint to the appropriate academic or administrative department and email you to let know that the complaint been received and is being reviewed. We'll attempt to resolve the complaint as quickly as possible. Please note that this type of complaint is not confidential.
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) reviews and evaluates student complaints regarding online and distance learning programs offered by Massachusetts-based institutions that are members of SARA. Students must first attempt to resolve their complaints using Lesley’s internal complaint process. After exhausting this process, students may submit a complaint to the Massachusetts DHE.
For Online or Low-Residency Students located in SARA Member States and Territories
If you are located in a SARA member state or territory (other than Massachusetts) and your complaint is not resolved at the institutional level, you may proceed to the DHE’s SARA complaint form. Complaints about student grades and student conduct violations are expressly excluded from SARA review.
For Online or Low-Residency Students in Massachusetts or Non-SARA Member States and Territories
If you are located in Massachusetts or in a non-SARA member state or territory (like California or Guam), and your complaint is not resolved using the complaint procedures available through Lesley University, you may proceed to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Consumer Complaint Form
More information about DHE’s complaint processes can be found here.
Information about complaint procedures is available in the “Additional State Approvals” section for enrolled students from California and other specifically stated programs that are operating beyond the scope of SARA. If your complaint is based on an incident involving discrimination or harassment, including sexual misconduct and sexual violence, we encourage you to complete the Community Incident Report or send an email to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at equalopportunity@lesley.edu."
Please note that complaints about student grades and student conduct violations are expressly excluded from SARA review.
Students residing in California may also file a complaint about distance education as follows:
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, CA 95834
Telephone: 833-942-1120
dca@dca.ca.gov
www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/oos_students.shtml
www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/compl-ccru.pdf
If you are located in a SARA member state (other than Massachusetts) or territory and your complaint is not resolved at the institutional level, you may proceed to the DHE’s SARA complaint form. Complaints about student grades and student conduct violations are expressly excluded from SARA review.