Office of the Ombudsman

The Ombudsman staff is responsible for answering learner inquiries and serving as a liaison between the learner and the University departments where communication has broken down or is not yielding resolution. If problems occur, an Ombudsman staff member initiates a resolution of such problems and guides learners through the University’s Grievance Procedure. Learners may contact the Office of the Ombudsman at Ombudsman@CalSouthern.edu.

Grievances

If a learner has a grievance regarding University procedures, decisions, or judgements, the learner has a right to seek a satisfactory resolution through the formal avenues of the University Grievance procedure detailed in the University Catalog. Additional information can be found on the AIUS Ombudsman page.

Complaints to External Agencies

If learners are unable to resolve their concerns through the internal grievance process, they may also pursue the grievance through the external regulators listed below. Although learners are encouraged to begin the process with the Ombudsman, there is nothing which prevents the learner from submitting a complaint to these agencies before submitting the concern through the University’s grievance procedure. Be advised, however, that certain agencies may require this as part of their process.

State Regulatory Agencies

State of Arizona: If the complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the institution’s grievance procedure, the learner may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. 1740 West Adams Street, Suite 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007, 602-542-5709, https://ppse.az.gov/student-complaint-procedure

Arizona SARA Complaint Process: CalSouthern is a member of the American InterContinental University System, which is approved by NC-SARA through the Arizona SARA Council (“AZ SARA”). AZ SARA has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA-approved institutions in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, and those related to student conduct are not reviewed by AZ SARA and should not be submitted for review. Distance education students who reside in SARA states (currently all but California) may file a complaint with AZ SARA only after the learner has first utilized the University’s grievance process and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education’s complaint process. Eligible complaints may be submitted to AZ-SARA at https://azsara.arizona.edu/complaints.

Accrediting Agency: Complaints may be filed with the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500; Chicago, IL 60604; https://www.hlcommission.org/for-students/file-a-complaint-against-an-institution/