Institution: Global College of America (GCA)
Address: 1001 North Central Avenue, Suite 660, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Phone: +1 (623) 980-2277
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Governing Authority: Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (AZPPSE)
1. Purpose and Philosophy
Global College of America (GCA) is committed to resolving all student concerns, disputes, and grievances in a fair, transparent, and timely manner. GCA strives to maintain an open academic environment where problems are addressed with mutual dignity and due process. Students are encouraged to pursue informal resolution whenever possible before initiating a formal grievance process.
2. Informal Resolution Procedure
When an academic, administrative, or operational concern arises, the student should first make a reasonable effort to resolve the matter directly with the instructor, academic advisor, or administrative staff member involved. Most concerns regarding assignment clarifications, technical difficulties, or grading inquiries can be handled promptly through direct, professional dialogue via the GCA Global Campus learning management system or official institutional email.
3. Formal Grievance Procedure (Institutional Level)
If an issue cannot be resolved informally, the student holds the right to file a formal grievance under the following protocol:
Step 1: Submission of Formal Written Grievance
- Filing Window: The student must submit a formal written grievance within thirty (30) calendar days of the incident or circumstance giving rise to the concern.
- Delivery: Written grievances should be submitted electronically to the Office of Administrative Affairs and the Registrar at:
[email protected]. - Required Documentation: The written submission must include:
- Student’s full legal name, student ID, and contact details.
- The course code, term, and faculty/staff member involved (if applicable).
- A detailed factual description of the issue or alleged violation.
- Specific dates, communications, and relevant supporting evidence (e.g., emails, syllabus excerpts, LMS screenshots).
- The specific outcome or resolution requested by the student.
Step 2: Administrative Review and Conference
Upon receipt, the student may schedule a meeting (conducted virtually or via teleconference) with the Vice President of Administrative Affairs to review the grievance and clarify facts.
Step 3: Referral to the GCA Grievance Committee
The grievance and all supporting records will be referred to the GCA Grievance Committee. The Committee will:
- Examine the student’s written grievance, faculty/staff responses, and all accompanying evidence.
- Conduct any necessary internal fact-finding, interviews, or record verifications.
- Deliver a comprehensive written determination to the student within five (5) business days following the conclusion of the committee review.
The decision of the GCA Grievance Committee constitutes the final institutional determination of Global College of America.
4. External Complaint Resolution (State Board Oversight)
If a student’s complaint cannot be resolved after completely exhausting GCA’s internal grievance procedures, or if the student believes that the College has violated state postsecondary education statutes, the student has the right to file an external complaint directly with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (AZPPSE).
Contact Information for AZPPSE:
- Agency: Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
- Physical Address: 1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 3008, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA
- Phone: (602) 542-5709
- Email: [email protected]
- Official Website / Complaint Portal: https://ppse.az.gov
5. Specific Grievance Categories
- Academic Grade Appeals: Formal grade disputes must be filed within ten (10) business days of official grade posting and are reviewed by the Academic Review Committee in accordance with the Academic Integrity and Appeals policy.
- Disability Accommodations (ADA Grievances): If an accommodation request is denied or unresolved, the individual may file a written grievance directly with the ADA Compliance Coordinator (Justin Berkowitz /
[email protected]/+1 (623) 980-2277) within 30 days. Unresolved ADA complaints may also be brought to AZPPSE or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. - Education Record (FERPA) Privacy Concerns: Inquiries or complaints regarding student educational record privacy should be directed to
[email protected], or externally to the Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202.
6. Protection Against Retaliation
Global College of America strictly prohibits any form of retaliation, harassment, or adverse academic treatment against any student for filing a grievance in good faith or participating in any grievance proceeding or investigation.