Complaint Resolution for Online Students

Western New Mexico University students should first attempt to resolve complaints with the University itself. The Student Complaint Procedure is accessible via the Mustang Express Student tab.  Log in to Mustang Express, select the Student tab, and then select Student Complaint Procedure from the menu on the right side of the screen.  If this does not meet the student’s needs, please contact the Virtual Campus office at 575.538.6549.

Complaints can also be addressed to WNMU’s regional accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools at http://www.ncahlc.org/.  The website outlining the HLC’s procedure for filing complaints is http://www.ncahlc.org/information-for-the-public/complaints.html.

Complaints can also be addressed to the New Mexico Higher Education Department, www.hed.state.nm.us or 505.476.8400.

U.S. Department of Education regulations require each State to have a procedure in place to handle complaints for all institutions located in that State.  The exceptions are federally run institutions such as service academies, and tribal institutions such as tribally-controlled community colleges.

Institutions delivering courses by distance education are further required to provide students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with the institution's State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student's complaint. State Contact Information in has been collected by the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), and will be updated as additional information becomes available.  SHEEO resources relating to state authorization of distance education are available at http://www.sheeo.org/stateauth/stateauth-home.htm.