Academic and Consumer Complaints

Academic Complaint Process

There are three categories of academic complaints:

• Assignment of grade
• Professional Conduct

The following procedure is from the WNMU Student Handbook, Student Academic Complaints.  Appropriate technology will be used to provide distance education students access to the complaint/appeals process.

Step 1

The student shall state the complaint in writing to the instructor within 30 university working days of receiving grade notification or experiencing the disputed conduct. Copies of the complaint shall be sent to the Associated Students of Western New Mexico University (ASWNMU) president, the university’s Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and the Affirmative Action officer if appropriate. The instructor shall, within 10 days of the complaint receipt, investigate the matter and advise the student in writing as to the findings and decision. Copies shall be sent to the ASWNMU president, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and the Affirmative Action officer if appropriate.

Step 2

Should the matter not be resolved in Step 1, the same procedure shall be repeated by the student with the department chairperson of the instructor who received the written complaint. This procedure must be followed by the student within 10 university working days of receiving the instructor’s response. Copies shall be sent to the ASWNMU president, the Vice-President of Student Affairs, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and the Affirmative Action officer if appropriate. The department chairperson shall, within 10 days of receiving the complaint, investigate the matter and advise all parties involved in writing as to the findings and decision. The investigation may include interviews with the student, the instructor, other students in the course, other instrutors who have taught the course, and review and comparison of pertinent papers and examinations.

Step 3

Should the matter not be resolved in Steps 1 and 2, the student shall submit a written request to the Student Appeals Committee for a hearing. This request must be made within 5 university working days of receiving the department chairperson’s response. The Student Appeals Committee shall conduct such a hearing as may be necessary to review the records at prior levels and make a recommendation to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs. The decision of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs shall be considered the final action of the Student Complaint Process. Copies of the decision shall be sent to all parties involved.

Consumer Complaint Process

Western New Mexico strives to resolve complaints internally whenever possible.  However, if the complainant is not satisfied with the University’s proposed resolution or final decision, the complainant may contact one or both of the following agencies:

New Mexico Higher Education Department

Western New Mexico University is a NC-SARA approved institution and the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is the SARA Portal Entity for New Mexico. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that sets national standards interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs.

Distance Education students attending WNMU who desire to resolve a grievance should follow WNMU’s established complaint/ appeals process outlined in the WNMU Student Handbook. However, if an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a NC-SARA complaint with the New Mexico Higher Education Department. Complaints regarding grades and student conduct violations shall not be reviewed by NMHED.

Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The HLC is Western New Mexico University’s accreditation agency.

Title IX – Report It!

If you believe that you have experienced or witnessed a sexual harassment/assault, you are encouraged to fill out a complaint form. However, depending on the information you provide, the university may investigate without your formal or written consent. The university will take action based on the information provided by you. The information submitted with the form is confidential and abides with HIPAA and FERPA requirements.