Lake-Sumter State College, as a public institution in the state of Florida, is an approved member in the SARA Initiative.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies.
The reciprocity agreements allow for the open delivery of academic credit-earning activities in participating states, including academic field experiences such as internships or practicums.
Current authorized SARA member states include all U.S. states except California, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (California does not currently participate in SARA but has no state authorization restrictions impacting delivery of educational programming within its borders.)
Professional Licensure
If you are considering an online academic program that leads to a professional license, it is highly recommended you contact the appropriate licensing agency where you plan to reside before beginning your academic program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. Academic programs and individual graduates must meet standards set by that state’s licensure requirements in order for a graduate to be eligible for a license. At this time, LSSC cannot confirm whether a particular program meets requirements for professional licensure or certification outside the State of Florida.
Student Complaint Process
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.
LSSC Student Complaint and Grievance Process
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institution’s process, they may contact:
Florida College System, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0400
(850) 245-9449
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/about-us/concerns-complaints.stml
For distance education students who are still not satisfied with the outcome and who have completed the institution’s complaint process and the Florida College System process, may appeal their non-instructional complaints to the institution’s Home State SARA Portal Entity at FLSARAinfo@fldoe.org.
SARA consumer protection provisions require the Institution’s Home State, through its SARA Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity by the state’s SARA-participating institutions, including the provision of false or misleading information.