Learner Rights and Responsibilities

Statement of Learner Rights

Nexford University is dedicated to academic excellence and supporting the communities we serve. Our goal is to provide all learners with equal opportunities to reach their potential through high-quality programs. As an academic community, we value the following principles: 

1. The right to personal and intellectual freedom 

2. The right to be treated with dignity and respect 

3. The right to equal rights and protection within the University 

We expect learners to understand and follow University policies, as well as comply with legal and ethical standards, including those of the University and its regulators and accreditors.  

Learners have the right to pursue their studies without undue interference, voice concerns, and seek fair treatment. They are also entitled to be themselves, receive respect, and get thoughtful guidance when needed. 

Learner Complaint Policy

The Learner Complaint Policy provides a structured process for learners to seek resolution of disputes or complaints. In most cases, issues can be resolved through discussions with faculty or a Success Advisor. Learners have the right to seek help or resolution if they feel that they have been unfairly treated based upon the policy and procedures of the University and were unable to resolve the situation. Learners must submit their complaint to the University Review Committee (URC) at urc@nexford.edu and include the following information:

• A detailed description of the complaint

• Steps taken to resolve the issue

• Any relevant supporting documentation

Upon receiving a complaint, the URC will investigate the matter and provide a decision to the learner within five business days.

Grievance

In the unlikely event that the learner’s complaint was not resolved to their satisfaction, the learner should submit a grievance to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) at grievance@nexford.edu. The grievance should include all documentation and attempts to resolve the situation including the URC decision. The CAO will investigate the grievance and communicate with the appropriate learners and employees to address the problem as warranted.

Resolution of the grievance will occur once the final response or outcome is determined. The learner who filed the grievance will be notified of the decision of the CAO.

Official Complaints

CAO decisions are final. For issues that cannot be resolved directly with the University, learners may file a complaint with the appropriate oversight bodies, as outlined below.

District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC)

Pursuant to DC Official Code §38-1306(c)(4), complaints may be filed with the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) against postsecondary educational institutions operating in the District of Columbia. Consumers who have experienced a violation of the HELC statute or regulations should complete the complaint form and submit all supporting documents. This form must be signed and dated by the individual making the complaint and should be mailed to:

District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street, NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 727-6436

Complaints are made available to the institution/alleged violator so they may file a response to the allegations. The HELC cannot respond to anonymous complaints. Investigation and resolution of complaints take varying amounts of time. Upon completion of an investigation, the complainant will receive notice of any proposed actions.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) 

Nexford University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). Learners residing in SARA member states who have concerns regarding distance education programs must first attempt to resolve the matter through Nexford University’s internal complaint and grievance procedures described above. 

If the matter is not resolved, the learner may file a complaint with Nexford University’s SARA portal entity: 

District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street, NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: (202) 727-6436

Complaints submitted through the SARA process must relate to distance education activities conducted under SARA policies. Complaints concerning grades or conduct violations are governed entirely by institutional policies and are not subject to review under the SARA complaint process. 

Additional information regarding the SARA student complaint process is available at:
https://nc-sara.org/sara-student-complaints 

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Learners may also contact the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) to file a complaint.

DEAC Contact Information:
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 234-5100
Website: https://www.deac.org/

DEAC’s Online Complaint System enables individuals to file a complaint directly using the DEAC website. The complaint form can be found at: https://www.deac.org/student-center/complaint-process/.

Written complaints will also be accepted by mail or other effective delivery methods, provided they include:

1. The complainant’s name and contact information

2. The basis of any allegation of noncompliance with DEAC standards and procedures

3. All relevant names and dates and a brief description of the actions forming the basis of the complaint

4. Copies of any available documents or materials that support the allegations

5. A release authorizing DEAC to forward a copy of the complaint, including identification of the complainant(s), to the institution

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity

Nexford University is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all. The University prohibits any discrimination, on the basis of national origin, race, color, religious beliefs, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, and breastfeeding), citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity, family duties, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, political affiliation, credit information, tobacco use, or status as unemployed, in its educational and employment programs, policies, practices, and procedures.

Discrimination is defined as treating members of a protected class less favorably because of their membership in that class or employing a policy or practice that has a disproportionately adverse impact on the members of a protected class. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations, including Title IX of the Civil Rights Act. This non-discrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in University programs and activities.

Non-Retaliation

Learners have the right to bring any grievances they may have to the attention of University officials, including the filing of formal complaints, avoidance of any fear that they may experience unfair treatment in response. Moreover, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: “No person in the US shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Nexford University is committed to upholding the law and ensuring that its non-retaliation policy applies equally to all members of the Nexford community (learners, faculty, and staff) and tolerates no discrimination on the basis of sex.

The University takes all learner grievances very seriously and will make every effort to thoroughly investigate them and to act on them with fairness and impartiality. If a learner feels as though he or she has been unfairly treated after bringing a grievance forward, they should notify the University Review Committee (URC) at urc@nexford.edu by sending an email thoroughly describing the nature of the concern and that includes, as appropriate, any supporting documentation. The URC will investigate the concern and report both its findings and a recommendation to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO). It is at the discretion of the CAO whether to accept the committee’s recommendation. Every effort is made to investigate grievances in a timely manner; complainants are apprised of the URC’s progress throughout. While a review process is pending, complainants should speak with a Success Advisor (SA) about how best to proceed. Depending on the nature of grievance, continued participation in coursework may or may not be appropriate; SAs will work with learners to determine the appropriate course of action. Decisions of the CAO are final. If a complainant wishes to pursue a grievance further, they may file a complaint with the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Higher Education Licensure Commission, following the instructions on its website.

Sexual Misconduct and Harassment

Nexford University is committed to providing its learners and staff with an environment in which they can learn and work without concerns about the possibility of mistreatment, preferential treatment, conflicts of interest, undue influence, favoritism, or any other types of harassing behavior. It is the policy of the University, furthermore, that no faculty, advisors, or administrative staff have consensual romantic or sexual relationships with any Nexford learner during the period of that learner’s enrollment in the University. The sole exception to this rule is prior ongoing relationships, which Nexford staff are expected to disclose to the University.

Sexual harassment by any member of the Nexford community is a violation of University policy and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances or overtures; or explicit or implicit requests for sexual favors (through any means of communication — in person or electronically). Sexual harassment can be perpetrated against persons of any sexual orientation, and between persons of the same orientation. It can also be perpetrated between peers in the University (for example, two learners) or between persons with different statuses (for example, a professor and a learner). The University will not tolerate any forms of harassment, regardless of any power differentials between perpetrators and victims. All forms of harassment are equally unacceptable, and any harassment claims will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon. Members of the University community are encouraged to report any instances of sexual misconduct or harassment to their Human Resources Business Partner, who is trained to handle such matters sensitively and in accordance with applicable laws and University regulations.