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Grievance Policy

It is the desire of Southeastern Baptist College to adhere to the accreditation standards of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). If issues arise causing a student to question the college’s adherence to the standards of ABHE, the following procedure should be followed.

 

  1. A student wishing to lodge a formal complaint must do so in writing to the following appropriate SBC Staff Member based on the nature of the issue:

Academic Affairs
JAN WALKER
Dean of Academic Affairs
Southeastern Baptist College
4229 Highway 15 N.
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 426-6346

 

Financial or Operational Issues
SANDY TIDWELL
Department of Finance/Business Office
Southeastern Baptist College
4229 Highway 15 N.
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 426-6346

 

Student Affairs
ANDERLE FOSTER
Dean of Student Affairs
Southeastern Baptist College
4229 Highway 15 N.
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 426-6346

 

Philosophical Issues
SCOTT CARSON
President
Southeastern Baptist College
4229 Highway 15 N.
Laurel, MS 39440
(601) 426-6346

 

  1. After putting the complaint in writing, the student can expect to hear a confirmation of receipt within 2 business days. From there, the student should expect the appropriate SBC Staff to investigate the situation.

 

  1. If the situation cannot be resolved during the investigation period, the student should expect for a meeting to be called within 2 weeks of making the complaint. Only one grievance can be handled for a student at a time. The goal at this meeting will be reconciliation of all parties to one another. At the above meeting, the following guidelines will need to be followed.
  • Prayer and possibly a Scripture will be read.
  • Christian character must be maintained by all parties.
  • No one will be allowed to interrupt one another.
  • The student may have a witness to testify if necessary.
  • All parties will have their voices heard.
  • An attempt will be made to find all root causes.
  • If an agreement to reconcile cannot be met, a third party/impartial mediator may be brought in to mediate for the sake of Christian harmony.
  • If disciplinary action is recommended, the SBC will appropriately communicate to the parties involved and documentation will be placed in the appropriate files.

 

  1. If a resolution is not reached, the student will be given the opportunity to appeal to the Board of Trustees. The student should expect for a meeting to be called within 2 weeks of appealing to the Board of Trustees.

 

  1. If a resolution is not reached with the Board of Trustees, the student is able to communicate their grievance to ABHE. See below for contact information and proper protocol.

 

It is the teaching and expectation of the college that members of the SBC community follow Matthew 18 principles for confronting an issue. However, in the event that you address the proper college authority and the issue remains unresolved, you may contact the accrediting association ABHE or MCCA:

 

Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
5850 T.G. Lee Boulevard, Suite 130
Orlando, FL 32822
(800) 621-7440 or (407) 207-0808
www.abhe.org

 

https://www.abhe.org/accreditation/accreditation-documents/ – The Complaint Form should be completed and the Complaint Policy should be read before contacting them.

 

Please note:  The student must have exhausted all available grievance procedures established by the institution before submitting a formal complaint to MCCA.

Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA)
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6372
http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/student_complaint_process

 

Also, the Mississippi State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Mississippi. This office formally investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, should the situation not be resolved at the school, the beneficiary may contact the SAA office via email at saa@msva.gov.

 

Grievance and Complaints regarding students who fall under SARA guidelines.

 

Southeastern Baptist College is a member of NC-SARA, the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreements. Southeastern Baptist College is a member of the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) granting reciprocity for enrollment of students in Southeastern Baptist College’s online distance learning programs. NC-SARA membership covers 49 states, excluding California. More information can be found at http://www.nc-sara.org. Please note:  The student must have exhausted all available grievance procedures established by the institution before submitting a formal complaint to MCCA.

 

  • Any student that falls under the guidelines of SARA (distant learning) who wishes to file a complaint with regards to Southeastern Baptist College must begin through the Southeastern Baptist College grievance/complaint process.
  • Assuming a SARA Student is unable to find a resolution through the Southeastern Baptist College grievance/complaint process, the next step involves the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (SARA State Portal Entity for the State of Mississippi)
  • To better understand the SARA complaint process visit the NC-SARA website for detailed information. http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/student_complaint_process