Regulations and Appeals

Regulations and Appeals

It is the desire of Western Seminary to be responsive to the needs of the student in all areas of his or her life. The Seminary has established policies and procedures in both academic and financial areas, as well as personal, moral, ethical, and spiritual development. These policies and procedures are intended to cover most circumstances which arise, but it is recognized that on occasion there are situations which warrant special individual consideration.

If a student feels that his or her situation warrants an exception to academic or financial policies or regulations, he or she is encouraged to file a petition with the Administrative or Financial Appeals Committee, respectively. It is the responsibility of these Committees to investigate the circumstances and make a judgment whether or not such exceptions are warranted. Petitions can be completed by logging into SIS.

Academic Appeals

Certain criteria for appealing decisions made by a professor or committee are presented elsewhere throughout the academic catalog or student handbook. In all other situations for which a formal appeal process is not specified, an appeal should first be directed to the chairperson of the appropriate academic center. If the student is not satisfied with the decision given by the Center Chair, he or she may then appeal to the Dean of Faculty by submitting a written statement of particulars. This statement can be submitted by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The dean will confer with the individuals involved and seek a satisfactory resolution of the problem. If the problem cannot be solved in this manner, the dean may make a decision on the matter or, at his or her discretion, may refer it to the president for a ruling.

External Resolution Resources

While Western Seminary encourages students to work through internal university processes for resolution of their concerns, students may also file external complaints with the agencies identified below.

For complaints alleging consumer protection violations, including, but not limited to, fraud and false advertising:

Oregon Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Division 

For complaints regarding discrimination/harassment or Western Seminary's Online Programs: 

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the State of Oregon

  • Phone: 503-378-5690

 For complaints regarding accreditation and other quality of education concerns: 

The Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities

  • Phone: 425-558-4224

In addition, students living in states served by Western Seminary may have a specialized complaint process available to them: 

  • For students in California: An individual may contact the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education for review of a complaint. The bureau may be contacted at 1747 North Market Blvd., Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834, http://www.bppe.ca.gov/, (916) 574-8900 (phone); (916) 263-1897 (fax).
  • For students in Oregon and all other states in the U.S.: Once the student has exhausted the institutional appeal process, students are able to pursue the complaint process established by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the State of Oregon.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Complaint Process

Western Seminary participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), can respond to a formal complaint.

Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission: 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 or by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Students may also access our Complaints web page or visit the complaints page on NC-SARA's website.

About SARA

Western Seminary makes our online programs and courses available to students in every state. Regulations implemented as an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965 impact State Authorization regulations pertaining to Western’s Global Campus. To ensure that we comply with these regulations, Western Seminary is an approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Under this membership, Western Seminary is authorized to provide online courses to residents of all member states. States and US territories that are members of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) agree to impose no additional fees on institutions from SARA member states.

Out-of-State Complaint Process

WS Online students who maintain a physical presence outside of Oregon may file a formal complaint with their home state authorizing agency if they are unable to resolve the complaint through the internal process. The student complaint contact process is provided for all states below:

Alabama 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Ron Leonard
Director of Special Initiatives
334.242.2211 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Alabama Commission on Higher Education
100 North Union Street Montgomery, AL 36104

Alaska

State Portal Entity Contact
Tyler Eggen
Institutional Authorization Program Coordinator
907.465.6741
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811-0505

Arizona

State Portal Entity Contact
Lanna Dueck
Executive Director
602.529.6649
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Arizona SARA Council 2323 W 14th St Tempe, AZ 85281

Arkansas

State Portal Entity Contact

Alana Colburn
Associate Director of Private Postsecondary Education and Transfer Programs
501.371.2000
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72201

California (non-SARA state)

California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
Telephone: 833-942-1120
Student Complaint Process

Colorado 

State Portal Entity Contact

Heather DeLange
Director - Office of Private Postsecondary Education
303.862.3005
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Colorado Department of Higher Education
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202

Connecticut

State Portal Entity Contact

Sean Seepersad, PhD
Division Director of Academic Affairs
806.947.1837
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Ste 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841

State Portal Entity Contact

Emily Bjornberg
Senior Consultant
860.947.1824
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Ste 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841

Delaware

State Portal Entity Contact
Leigh Weldin
College Success Program Coordinator
302.735.4193
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website 

Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal St, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901

State Portal Entity Contact
aQuena Simon-Irby
Post-Secondary Education Specialist
302.735.4127
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal St, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901

District of Columbia

Primary Portal Entity Contact
Amy Spies
Compliance Specialist
202.442.4012
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002

Secondary State Portal Entity Contact
Terasita Edwards
Interim Executive Director
202.654.6128
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Higher Education Licensure Commission 
1050 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002 

Florida
State Portal Entity Contact
Brady Lyon
Educational Policy Director
850.245.3200
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Commission for Independent Education
325 W Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399

State Portal Entity Contact
Sonia Browning
Administrative Assistant II
850.245.3210
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Commission for Independent Education
325 W Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Georgia

State Portal Entity Contact
Magda Rivers
Deputy Director/GA-SARA Coordinator
770.414.2644
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 E Exchange Pl, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084

State Portal Entity Contact
Patricia "Pat" Neri
Program Manager
770.414.3235
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 E Exchange Pl, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084

Hawaii 

State Portal Entity Contact
Jayson Horiuchi
Program Administrator
808.586.7327
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
PO Box 541
Honolulu, HI 96809

Idaho

State Portal Entity Contact
Tamara Baysinger
State Authorization Manager
208.332.1587
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Idaho State Board of Education
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720

Illinois

State Portal Entity Contact
Nkechi Onwuameze, PhD
Senior Associate Director for Academic Affairs
217.866.1429
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377

State Portal Entity Contact
Daniel Abankwa, Ed. D., MBA
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs
217.866.1440
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377

Indiana

State Portal Entity Contact
Ross Miller
Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity
317.232.1033
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Indiana Commission for Higher Education / Indiana Board for Proprietary Education
101 W Ohio St, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206

Iowa

State Portal Entity Contact 
Lisa Pundt
Postsecondary Authorization Administrator
515-210-8563
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bureau of Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

State Portal Entity Contact 
Keyli Keifer
Compliance Officer
515-971-2186
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bureau of Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319

Kansas

State Portal Entity Contact 
Jennifer Armour
Associate Director Academic Affairs
785.430.4288
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368

Kentucky

State Portal Entity Contact 
Ms. Jevonda Keith
Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity
502.892.3031
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Third Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

State Portal Entity Contact
 Kathy Garrett
Senior Associate Academic Common Market State Coordinator
502.892.3082
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Third Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

Louisiana

State Portal Entity Contact 
LeAnn Detillier
Assistant Commissioner for Program Administration
225.342.4253
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Louisiana Board of Regents
1201 N Third St, Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Maine

State Portal Entity Contact 
Michael T. Perry
Director of Higher Education & Educator Supports
207.441.1718
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 State SARA Website

Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023

Maryland

State Portal Entity Contact 
Alexandra (Alix) Chaillou
Associate Director, Institution Review
410.767.3293
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 State SARA Website

Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N Liberty St, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

Massachusetts

State Portal Entity Contact 
Alex Nally
Deputy General Counsel
617.994.6955
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 State SARA Website

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Pl, Rm 1401
Boston, MA 02108

State Portal Entity Contact
 Tiamekia Cezaire
Paralegal and Regulatory Affairs Specialist
617.994.6963
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Pl, Rm 1401
Boston, MA 02108

Michigan

State Portal Entity Contact 
James R. Farhat
Departmental Specialist
517.256.8670
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, MI 48909

State Portal Entity Contact
Alexander Henderson
Departmental Analyst, Employment & Training, Post Secondary & State Approving
517.331.7565
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, MI 48909

Minnesota

State Portal Entity Contact 
Betsy Talbot
Manager of Institutional Licensing and Registration
651.259.3965
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55108

State Portal Entity Contact
Kate McCartan
Institutional Monitoring Specialist
651.259.3912
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55108

Mississippi

State Portal Entity Contact 
Dr. Sheriece Robinson
Director of Regulatory Affairs
601.432.6336
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Rd
Jackson, MS 39211

Missouri 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Joshua Fischer
Program Specialist
573.751.2361
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

Montana 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Joe Thiel
Interim Deputy Commissioner for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs
(406) 449-9134
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Montana University System
P.O. Box 203201
Helena, MT 59602-3201

Nebraska

State Portal Entity Contact 
Kathleen L. Fimple, PhD
Academic Programs Officer
402.471.0030
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
PO Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005

Nevada

State Portal Entity Contact 
Terina Caserto
Senior Analyst, Academic and Student Affairs
775.784.3442
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Nevada System of Higher Education
2601 Enterprise Rd
Reno, NV 89512

New Hampshire 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Nicholas W. Marks, Ed.D.
Administrator | Higher Education
603.271.0257
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant St
Concord, NH 03301

State Portal Entity Contact
Laura A. Stoneking
Administrator
603.271.4196
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301

New Jersey

State Portal Entity Contact 
Eric Taylor, Esq.
Director, Office of Licensure
609.984.3738
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
20 W State St, 4th Fl - PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625

New Mexico 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Alicia Armijo
Constituent Services Coordinator & NC-SARA Coordinator
505.476.8411
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100

New York 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Andrea Richards
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
518.474.1551
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New York State Education Department
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234

North Carolina

State Portal Entity Contact 
Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A.
Director of SARA North Carolina
919.248.4667
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
PO Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629

North Dakota

State Portal Entity Contact 
Claire Gunwall
Director of Academic Affairs & Workforce Innovation
701.328.4140
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

North Dakota University System
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230

State Portal Entity Contact
 Lisa Johnson
Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
701.328.4143
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

North Dakota University System
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230

Ohio

State Portal Entity Contact 
Matt Exline
Senior Director of Program Approval Operations
617.728.3095
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front St
Columbus, OH 43215

Oklahoma

State Portal Entity Contact 
Elizabeth Walker
Coordinator for Academic Affairs Administration
405.225.9154
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Pkwy, Ste 200 - PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850

State Portal Entity Contact
Stephanie Beauchamp, Ed.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
405.225.9399
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Pkwy, Ste 200 - PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850

Oregon

State Portal Entity Contact (Primary) 
Veronica Dujon
Director, Office Academic Policy and Authorization
503.508.1790
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302

State Portal Entity Contact (Secondary) 
Rebecca Fuller
Operations & Policy Analyst
971.301.3455
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302

State Portal Entity Contact (Tertiary) 
Michael Ralls
Education Program Specialist
503.979.6001
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302

State Portal Contact (Quaternary) 
Donald O'Dell
Compliance Specialist
503.507.6307
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302

Pennsylvania

State Portal Entity Contact 
Gina Wetten
Higher Education Associate II
717.265.7723
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Pennsylvania Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
333 Market St
Harrisburg, PA 17126

 Puerto Rico

State Portal Entity Contact 
Neydaliz Vega
Economic Program Analyst
787-722-2121 ext 3809
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Puerto Rico State Department - Education Department
PO Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271

Rhode Island

State Portal Entity Contact 
Rebecca Ryan
Coordinator of Veterans Education and State Approving Agency
401.736.1164
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Blvd
Warwick, RI 02886-1304

South Carolina

State Portal Entity Contact 
Argentini Anderson, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Academic Affairs
803.737.2276
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady St, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201

State Portal Entity Contact
Yolanda Diane McCree
Senior Licensing Program Coordinator
803.856.0041 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady St, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201

South Dakota 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Katie Hubbart
Academic Affairs Specialist - South Dakota SARA Coordinator
605.773.3455
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E Capitol Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 5750

Tennessee

State Portal Entity Contact 
Julie Woodruff
Senior Compliance Counsel, Regulatory Compliance Division
615.253.8857
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 9th FL
Nashville, TN 37243

Texas 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Cathie A. Maeyaert, J.D.
Director – Private Postsecondary Institutions
512.427.6527
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711

State Portal Entity Contact
Crystal Batlin
Program Specialist II, Workforce Education
512.427.6213
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711

U.S. Virgin Islands

State Portal Entity Contact 
Camille McKayle
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
340.693.1200
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

University of the Virgin Islands
#2 John Brewers Bay
St Thomas, VI 00802

Utah 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Cynthia "Cyd" Grua
Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education
801.646.4768
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Utah System of Higher Education - Board of Regents Building, The Gateway
60 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Vermont

State Portal Entity Contact 
Cassandra Ryan
Director of Regulatory Compliance
802.595.2757
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vermont Agency of Education
1 National Life Dr, Davis 5th Fl
Montpelier, VT 05620

Virginia 

State Portal Entity Contact 
Darlene Derricott
Director of Academic Services
804.225.2621
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N 14th St, 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Washington

State Portal Entity Contact 
Sam Loftin, J.D.
Director of Consumer Protection
360.753.7866
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502

West Virginia

State Portal Entity Contact 
Lucy Kefauver
Director of Online Learning
304-205-6073 | ext. 56073
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
2001 Union Carbide Drive South
Charleston, WV 25303

Wisconsin

State Portal Entity Contact 
Paige Smith
Chief Compliance Officer
608.265.2273
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

University of Wisconsin System Administration, Office of Compliance & Integrity
1220 Linden Drive, Room 1840
Madison, WI 53706

Wyoming

State Portal Entity Contact 
Rob Dennis
Chief Operating Officer
307.777.7013
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
State SARA Website

Wyoming Community College Commission
2300 Capitol Ave, 5th Fl, Ste B
Cheyenne, WY 82002