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Student Complaint Resolution Procedure

Distance Education

State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a college’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Institutions offering distance education courses or programs must provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the college, its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in the students’ state of residence.

Piedmont Community College is currently authorized to offer Distance Learning courses in all states with the exception of California.

Student Complaint Resolution Procedure

Piedmont Community College (PCC) is a member of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). Students are advised to begin the process at the institutional level.

PCC Student Grievance Process

For additional information, please contact:

Shelly T. Stone-Moye, Vice President, Student Development
Shelly.Stone-Moye@piedmontcc.edu; (336) 322-2163
Person County Campus
P.O. Box 1197, Roxboro, NC 27573

Dr. Barbara Buchanan, Vice President, Instruction/Chief Academic Officer
Barbara.Buchanan@piedmontcc.edu; (336) 322-2106
Person County Campus
P.O. Box 1197, Roxboro, NC 27573

If a complaint cannot be resolved through the institution’s complaint process, students may file a complaint with the University of North Carolina System Office. Please review the Student Complaint Process, and submit a complaint online: https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form For more information, please contact the state office:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street; Suite 1800; Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: (919) 962-4550
Website: North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

If for some reason the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, the next step would be to file a complaint with Piedmont Community College’s accrediting agency. PCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Students who file a complaint with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure.

The contact information for SACSCOC is:

1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: (404) 679-4500
Website: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

SARA-NC Complaint Process

Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for North Carolina. Students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form.

SARA-NC Contact Information:

NCSEAA, c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349; Raleigh, NC 27629
T: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
T: (919) 248-6667, fax
Website: SARANC ( www.saranc.org/)
Email: information@saranc.org

Information regarding natural disasters or unforeseen phenomenon (catastrophic events):

Should the College experience a catastrophic event, the severity of the natural disaster or unforeseen phenomenon will determine the College’s response. Several factors would be considered when deciding next steps for the College’s students and employees, including:

  • Is there a sufficient number of personnel available to continue the business of the College?
  • Is the College’s information technology infrastructure stable enough that the College could continue to operate as usual? remotely?
  • Could/should classes be transferred to an off-site location?
  • Could/should classes be transferred to a sister school?

Information gleaned from an assessment of the extent to which the College is capable of continuing its operations will be operationalized in accordance with existing college policies.

As stated in Piedmont Community College (PCC) Policy 2.10.1, Presidential Authority During Emergencies and Adverse Conditions, the president has the right to quickly amend policies as needed. The policy states, “In times of emergency and/or under adverse conditions, the College’s goal is to maintain an effective, efficient, and safe operating environment for the College’s students, faculty, and staff. Ensuring a safe and efficient environment in such times likely requires the temporary adoption, amendment, modification, or suspension of certain College policies and procedures.”  In the case of a natural disaster or unforeseen phenomenon, the president of the College would determine whether it was possible to maintain an effective, efficient, and safe operating environment, weighing the factors above. The president would also consider guidance from organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, North Carolina Office of the Governor and North Carolina Community College System Office.

In compliance with PCC Policy 2.28 Substantive Change, the College will follow Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) guidelines regarding teach-out plans or school closures. According to these guidelines, a teach-out would be necessary “if an institutional location that provides twenty-five percent or more of at least one program, ceases to operate before all students have completed their program of study” (SACSCOC Substantive Change and Procedures Policy). The teach-out plan would ensure the College:

  1. “has the necessary experience, resources, and support services to provide an educational program that is of acceptable quality and reasonably similar in content, structure, and scheduling to that provided by the teach-out institution; and
  2.  demonstrates that it can provide students access to the program(s) and services without requiring them to move or travel substantial distances.” (SACSCOC Substantive Change and Procedures Policy)

Consistent with both policies described above, financial impacts to students resulting from actions taken by the College would be considered. Should they be warranted by the College’s response and authorized by North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, refunds to affected students would be issued.

Professional Licensure

If you are considering a program at Piedmont Community College that leads to licensure or certification and you do not live in North Carolina, please contact the dean of the degree program to discuss licensure options. Click Professional Licensing Board Disclaimer and Contacts (License/Licensure Information) for more information.