File a Complaint
Need to File a Complaint?
We’re here to help you find the right support. Not sure if what you’re experiencing is a complaint? That’s okay—we can help you figure it out.
Santa Ana College is committed to maintaining a respectful, equitable, and supportive environment for all students, employees, and community members. If you have a concern or complaint, the guide below can help you connect with the right office so your concern can be reviewed and addressed in a timely and fair manner.
Where should I go?
Most concerns can be resolved quickly by contacting the appropriate office. Please review the options below to determine the best place to direct your concern:
Submitting a Grade Grievance
For concerns related to grades, classroom issues, or faculty matters, students should first work with the instructor and then the appropriate academic division.
Reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment
Students are encouraged to report incidents involving sexual misconduct, including dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, to the Title IX Office.
All SAC employees, except designated confidential contacts, are responsible employees and required to report incidents shared with them.
To learn more about SAC’s reporting options and resources for sexual/gender-based harassment, please visit Title IX.
Reporting Violations of the Standards of Student Conduct
For concerning, disruptive, threatening, or conduct-related student behavior, submit a report so the college can review the concern and connect the student to the appropriate response or support.
To learn more about Student Conduct, please visit Student Advocacy & Accountability.
Reporting Concerns for Student CARE
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to use this form to report behavior that may be impacting a student's academic success.
To learn more about SAC’s Crisis Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE) team, please visit our CARE team.
Reporting Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation (Civil Rights)
Students are encouraged to report incidents involving discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation of any person, or military and veteran status, or because they are perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics.
All SAC employees are required to report incidents shared with them.
To learn more about SAC’s reporting options and resources, please visit Civil Rights.
Basic Needs Support
For help with food, housing, emergency assistance, clothing, transportation, or other basic needs, contact the Thrive Center for support and resource connection.
Not Sure where your Concern Fits?
No problem. The Student Development office can help direct you to the right place.
What Happens After I Submit a Report?
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▸ 1. Your report is received Your concern is reviewed by the appropriate office to determine the next step. |
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▸ 2. We may contact you You may be contacted for additional information, support, or clarification. |
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▸ 3. The college reviews the concern The process will follow applicable college policies and procedures. Some concerns can be resolved quickly, while others may require a more formal review. |
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▸ 4. You are informed of next steps You will be informed of the next steps or outcomes available, as appropriate and within privacy limits. |
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▸ 5. Support is available Support resources may be available throughout the process, even if you choose not to pursue a formal complaint. |
Institutional Complaint Process
Santa Ana College has established procedures to ensure that complaints are addressed in a manner that is fair, timely, and respectful. Individuals are strongly encouraged to utilize the college’s internal complaint processes first, as most concerns can be resolved at the institutional level.
Accreditation Complaints (ACCJC)
Santa Ana College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). ACCJC reviews complaints that relate to the institution’s compliance with accreditation standards, eligibility requirements, and commission policies.
ACCJC does not resolve individual student or employee disputes, including complaints related to grades, disciplinary actions, or personnel matters. Complaints must be based on evidence that the institution is out of compliance with accreditation standards.
Before filing a complaint with ACCJC, complainants must make a good faith effort to resolve the matter through Santa Ana College’s established procedures.
To learn more about the ACCJC complaint process or to file a complaint, please visit:
https://accjc.org/complaint-process/
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
If you believe your concern has not been resolved through the college’s processes,
you may also contact the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Information
about the complaint process is available at:
https://www.cccco.edu/Complaint-Process-Notice
Santa Ana College is committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. We value your feedback and strive to ensure that all concerns are addressed appropriately.