South Dakota

Ellsworth AFB

Authorization

Columbia College is currently authorized to operate in South Dakota under South Dakota Code 13-48.

South Dakota was approved as a SARA member state on November 2014. Columbia College was approved as a SARA institution on February 26, 2015 and can offer distance education programs to students in the state of South Dakota.

General Student Grievance Policy

To view the entire policy, please visit the General Student Grievance Policy section of the Columbia College Policies website.

The Student Conduct section of the catalog details information regarding the student grievance process, student code of conduct, overview of the conduct process, as well as other pertinent information that students should be aware of.  

• Complaints about sex discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation are handled in accordance with the College’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints about discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation, not based on sex, are handled in accordance with the College’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints related to the ADA/Section 504 accommodation process or related to the implementation of approved reasonable accommodations are handled in accordance with the College’s ADA/Section 504 Grievance Policy.

Further Complaint Resolution

On occasion, a student may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising; alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and complaints relating to the quality of education or other state accreditation requirements.

Complaint process information is provided below for students who wish to address their concerns to the appropriate agency.

• Student that are unable to resolve complaints with Columbia College should contact the South Dakota Secretary of State by emailing sos.edu@state.sd.us.
• Students may also use the Higher Learning Commission complaint process if they do not believe their complaint has been addressed.
• Students in distance education programs or courses should reach out to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) at (573) 526-1577 or review the MDHE complaint process. 

State Regulatory Agency Contact Information