Most student complaints are resolved informally between the parties concerned. A member of the staff or faculty designated by the Dean is available for consultation and direct assistance in resolving informal complaints. After exhausting efforts to resolve the matter informally, the student may file an official complaint when a provision of the Student Handbook has been violated; when a student and a member of the faculty, administrative or support staff are in conflict which cannot be otherwise resolved; or when a student believes that s/he has been treated unfairly by the seminary.
Students wishing to make complaints related to the failure of the seminary to adhere to the accrediting standards of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) or the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC) or to comply with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) may address their concerns to the Office of the Dean. If the student is not satisfied with the response, they may address their complaint directly to the body whose standard they believe has been violated.
Please see the Student Complaint section of the Student Handbook on the Academic Resources page for details on filing an official complaint with the seminary, ATS, HLC, or NC-SARA.
Complaints Related to State Registration
As a non-profit private institution registered with the Office of Higher Education (OHE), United is required to:
- comply with Minnesota Statutes 136A.61 to 136A.833
- comply with Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 4840 and 4880
- follow its own internal policies and procedures; and
- use marketing materials or recruiting practices that are not deceptive, misleading, or inaccurate.
If a student is not satisfied with the seminary’s response to an official complaint related to its compliance with these requirements, the student may file a complaint with OHE:
Registration & Licensing
Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-259-3975 or 1-800-657-3866
https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/
The seminary shall not use nondisclosure agreements or other contracts restricting a student’s ability to disclose information in connection with school actions or conduct that is covered under the student complaint process in Minnesota Statute §136A.672.
Complaints Related to SARA Policies
As a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), United is committed to observe SARA policies for students enrolled in United courses who are residents of SARA states outside of Minnesota. The SARA Policy Manual can be accessed at https://nc-sara.org/sara-policy-manual.
If a student residing in a SARA state other than Minnesota is not satisfied with the seminary’s response to an official complaint related to its compliance with SARA policies, the student may file a complaint with NC-SARA at https://nc-sara.org/student-complaints.