State Authorization
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to the success and satisfaction of all prospective and enrolled students.
If you have a concern or grievance, as a first step we encourage you to utilize our internal process by following our Student Grievance Policy & Procedures. To obtain our grievance form electronically or to receive a hard copy, please contact:
Becky Sharpe
Division of Student Life
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7484
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7247
becky.sharpe@orkexpo.net
Cromer Center, Room 205
N.C. Post-Secondary Education Grievance Process
The Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. If students are unable to resolve a complaint through the institution's grievance procedures, they can review the Student Complaint Policy and complete the online Student Complaint Form.
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh NC 27603
919.962.4550
www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints
N.C. Independent Colleges & Universities Grievance Process
Should our internal grievance process fail to provide a satisfactory resolution, students may continue the grievance process with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice.
Grievances can be submitted electronically or by mail:
Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
NC Residents: 877.566.7226
Outside of NC: 919.716.6000
En Español: 919.716.0058
How to file a consumer complaint: http://www.ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/
General Consumer Complaint Form
SACSCOC Student Grievance Process
Lenoir-Rhyne is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). If for some reason the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, the next step would be to file a complaint with Lenoir-Rhyne University’s accrediting agency. Students who file a grievance with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
404.679.4500
www.sacscoc.org
SACSCOC General Complaint Form
SARA-NC & NC-SARA Grievance Process
On November 2, 2016, Lenoir-Rhyne University was approved by SARA-NC to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. A “State authorization reciprocity agreement,” SARA is an agreement between two or more States that authorizes an institution located and legally authorized in a State covered by the agreement to provide postsecondary education through distance education or correspondence courses to students in other States covered by the agreement.
As a participating institution in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC), students may also file a grievance through SARA-NC by following their Complaint Process. SARA-NC does not resolve complaints about student grades and student conduct violation. These complaints fall under the jurisdiction of institutional policy. The Student Complaint Form may be submitted by mail to:
SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
855.SARA.1.NC (727-2162)
919.549.8614, ext. 4667
www.saranc.org
complaint@saranc.org
Supervised Field Experience
Courses and programs incorporating a “supervised field experience” are covered by the provisions of SARA. Under SARA a “supervised field experience” means a student learning experience under the oversight of a supervisor, mentor, faculty member or other qualified professional, located in the host state, who has a direct or indirect reporting responsibility to the institution where the student is enrolled, whether or not credit is granted. Examples include practicum, student teaching, or internships. However, see below regarding programs for licensed professions.
Professional Licensure & Certification Disclosure
In order to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations, all higher education institutions are required to advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for a professional license and/or certification in the state for which they plan to practice.
NC-SARA does not deal with professional licensing board approval for any courses or programs leading to professional licensure. If you are not a resident of North or South Carolina, and you are taking an online course or program leading to professional licensure, Lenoir-Rhyne University cannot guarantee whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in your state.
Lenoir-Rhyne recommends that you consult with our program contact, the appropriate national licensing bodies and/or review Lenoir-Rhyne’s status by state for your intended program below:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Paula Swindle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7539
Hickory, NC 28601
paula.swindle@orkexpo.net
- National Board Certified Counselor
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Professional Licensure Disclosure
Dietetic Internship
Julie Covington, Ed.D.
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7453
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7453
julie.covington@orkexpo.net
Education
Hank Weddington, Ed.D.
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7539
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7918
hank.weddington@orkexpo.net
Nursing
Kerry Thompson, Ph.D.
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7292
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7282
thompsonk@orkexpo.net
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing
- Nursing Professional Licensure Disclosure
- Family Nurse Practitioner/Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Licensure Disclosure
Occupational Therapy
Toni Oakes, Ed.D.
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7547
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7366
toni.oakes@orkexpo.net
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Professional Licensure Disclosure
School Counseling
Paula Swindle, Ph.D.
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7539
Hickory, NC 28601
828.328.7989
paula.swindle@orkexpo.net
If a student wishes to contact the state portal entities for his or her home state, contact information for state authorization liaisons in each SARA state can be found on the NC-SARA website. State by state contact information for agencies responsible for receiving student consumer complaints is available online.
Normal inquiries or concerns such as those involving admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc. should be addressed directly to the appropriate office at Lenoir-Rhyne University.