Relay operates in several states across the country. As a result, some campuses are required to comply with state regulations that require policies and disclosures that differ from Relay’s general student policies.
The state-specific policies and required disclosure below supplant general student policies outlined in pages 1–56 of the handbook where applicable.
Georgia
(For students enrolled in Relay Atlanta)
Student Grievance Policy Addendum
The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) requires that students utilize and complete their institution’s grievance procedure in an attempt to resolve any complaint or concern before submitting a complaint to the Commission. If the institution’s resolution is not satisfactory, a student may then appeal to the Commission, but it will not investigate a complaint unless the student has exhausted all available grievance procedures outlined by the institution. Find information about filing a complaint with the GNPEC at https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-complaints.
New York
(For students enrolled in Relay New York and New York Distance Education Programs)
Enrollment Requirements
In order to be enrolled at Relay, students must submit complete immunization records and a GRE score report. Forms and detailed submission directions and deadlines can be found in Support Center and on campus pages on Relay’s public website. Please refer to Relay’s Immunization FAQ for commonly asked immunization questions.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
New York State’s Public Health Law #2165 requires that students born on or after January 1, 1957, present proof of immunization or laboratory results indicating immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Proof of MMR immunization is not necessary if any of the following exceptions apply:
- Students were born before January 1, 1957;
- Students are unable to receive a vaccine for medical reasons and their doctor writes a note to this effect and signs it; and/or
- Students are unwilling to receive a vaccine for religious reasons and they submit documentation. In the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps, or rubella, students will not be allowed to attend class.
Meningococcal Disease
New York State’s Public Health Law #2167 requires institutions of higher education to distribute information about meningitis disease to their students.
Relay is required to maintain a record of the following for each of its students:
- Proof that the student has received and read information about meningitis and its vaccine (including the cost of that vaccine); and
- Either 1) an acknowledgement by the student that he or she has been immunized within the past 10 years or 2) an acknowledgement by the student that he or she refused to be immunized.
Loss of Position or Membership Addendum
For students teaching in NYCDOE schools: Students who teach in New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) schools and are enrolled in Relay must be in good standing with an NYCDOE-approved teacher preparation program, such as New York City Teaching Fellows or Teach For America. If students lose their good standing with an NYCDOE-approved teacher preparation program, it is their responsibility to inform Relay within one business day by sending an email to support@relay.edu and to their campus dean and/or faculty advisor.
Tennessee
(For students enrolled in Relay Memphis and Relay Nashville)
Authorization
Relay is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.
Credit Transfer Policy Addendum
Relay Memphis and Nashville may grant credit toward a M.A.T. degree for the successful completion of a state-approved alternative teacher certification or licensure program at select institutions of higher education. Relay reserves the right to evaluate an applicant’s knowledge and skills and/or the quality of academic instruction at the program provider prior to granting credit. Relay handles all such transfer requests on a case-by-case basis.
Student Grievance Policy Addendum
Upon the receipt of a grievance appeal, the campus Dean’s Office will respond to students, in writing, within 10 days of receiving the appeal, and inform the students that if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the grievance process, they may contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission at this address: Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville, TN 73243-0830, (615) 741-5293.
Texas
(For students enrolled in Relay Dallas/Fort Worth, Relay Houston, Relay San Antonio, and Texas Distance Education Programs)
Student Grievance Policy Addendum
Per Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) rules codified under Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Sections 1.110–1.120, current, former and prospective students may initiate a complaint with the THECB after exhausting the institutional grievance process. Grievances may be filed with the THECB by sending the required forms either by electronic mail to StudentComplaints@thecb.state.tx.us or by mail to: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, College Readiness and Success Division, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711-2788.
Educator Preparation Program Complaint Policy
Candidates or former candidates in Relay’s Texas Alternative Certification Program, applicants for candidacy in the Relay Texas certification program, employees or former employees of Relay, cooperating teachers, mentors, and administrators in partnering school districts, charter schools, or private schools may submit a complaint pertaining to educator preparation program requirements listed in Title 19 of Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§ 227, 228, 229, ethics (19 TAC § 247), fingerprinting (19 TAC §§ 227, 232) and certification (19 TAC §§ 230, 231, 232, 239, 241, 242) for investigation and resolution in accordance with the policy detailed below. Refer to the Texas Educator Preparation Program Complaint Policy, posted on the Relay website, or available on request from the campus Dean’s Office.
Washington, DC
(For students enrolled in Relay Washington, DC)
Authorization and Accreditation
In Washington, DC, Relay is licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC), under the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in DC (OSSE).
Student Grievance Policy Addendum
Students have the right to file a grievance without fear of unfair treatment from Relay faculty or staff. Students who remain unsatisfied with the outcome of their appeals process has the right to file a complaint with the Higher Education Licensure Commission. However, the HELC cannot overturn the Relay’s academic or financial decisions.
National Support
Relay has the support of our national administration in New York. Relay is governed by a board of trustees, who are responsible for oversight of the institution; the president, who is responsible for the overall health and direction of the institution; the executive vice president, who is responsible for the operations and finances of the institution; and the provost and national dean, who oversee the academic and research programs at the institution.