Harrison Middleton University Resolution Process
Harrison Middleton University strives to provide excellent liberal arts programs and student services. Should an issue be brought to our attention, Harrison Middleton University will take appropriate action to seek resolution. Students are encouraged to pursue our internal resolution process for any complaints before contacting external sources for resolution.
If a student feels that he or she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by an employee, tutor, mentor, or portfolio evaluator with regard to an academic process such as grading, testing, or assignments, the student must submit a written statement of the grievance to the Vice President for Education (or designee). The written statement of the grievance must be submitted within seven calendar days of the action occurring and include any relevant supporting documentation. The individual filing the grievance will receive notification from the Vice President for Education (or designee) confirming receipt of the grievance within five calendar days.
The Vice President for Education (or designee) is the final authority on all academic matters. If a student has a grievance on the basis of race, color, gender, or any other matter, the student should contact the Vice President for Education (or designee) at e-mail: In*********@hm*.edu or by mail to:
Harrison Middleton University
Vice President for Education
3345 South Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85282-5404
The student’s grievance will be assessed within 30 days.
If a complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting Harrison Middleton University’s grievance procedure and involves a complaint arising under State laws, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code Rule R4-39-403), by visiting the complaint page on the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education website (https://ppse.az.gov/student-complaint-procedure). The student may contact the State Board at:
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1740 West Adams Street, Suite 3008
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.5709 Tel
SARA Complaint Resolution Process
The Arizona SARA Council has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA-approved institutions including Harrison Middleton University in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Council and should not be submitted for review. Prior to registering a non-instructional complaint with the Arizona SARA Council, the student/complainant must complete Harrison Middleton University’s and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education’s complaint process, as listed above.
Distance education students who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process may appeal complaints to the AZ SARA Council. Complaints must be submitted within two years of the incident. Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations may not be appealed to the AZ SARA Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the AZ SARA complaint page.
Harrison Middleton University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Students may also file a grievance or complaint with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) through their online Complaint Submission Form. The complaint process and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission Complain Form may be found on the DEAC website. All complaints should be submitted using this form. For those who cannot access the Internet, written complaints will be accepted provided they include the complainant’s name and contact information and a release from the complainant(s) to DEAC. Where circumstances warrant, the complainant may remain anonymous to the institution, but all identifying information must be given to DEAC:
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808
Washington, D.C. 20036
202.234.5100 Tel
202.332.1386 Fax
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Harrison Middleton University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, marital status, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, condition of disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local laws in the admission of students or the administration of its educational policies or programs.
Student Privacy Rights
Harrison Middleton University honors the privacy of our students. In accordance with federal and state law, the university protects the confidentiality of education records and the rights of students to inspect and review these records. Specific student transcript information is not available for general statistical purposes. Information that the university collects may be released only upon written request by the student. Harrison Middleton University does not sell or rent any personal data to any third parties. Federal law allows students to access their educational records and limits the ability of others to access those records. The law is called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or “FERPA.” This law is also sometimes called “the Buckley Amendment,” after Senator Buckley, a sponsor of the original 1974 bill. Arizona has incorporated FERPA in its statute, A.R.S. § 15-141, governing the right to review educational records.
Educational Records
FERPA applies to all records that fall within its broad definition of “educational records.” Student educational records at Harrison Middleton University include all records directly related to a student that are maintained by or for Harrison Middleton University. Records can be in any medium, including handwritten notes, paper files, e-mail, electronic files, video, or audio files. The records are not limited to those in “official” files and include records maintained in any Harrison Middleton University office or file. With limited exceptions, a student can see every educational record Harrison Middleton University has that is directly related to that student during normal business hours and when requested in advance.
