On July 1, 2011, the “Program Integrity Rule” amendment of Title IV of the Higher Education Act took effect. One of the requirements of the Program Integrity Rule is that each college or university authorized to offer post-secondary education in one or more States ensure access to a complaint process that will permit student consumers to address the following:
- Alleged violations of State consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising;
- alleged violations of State laws or rules relating to the licensure of post-secondary institutions; and
- complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
As an institution authorized to provide post-secondary education in the State of Ohio, The College of Wooster is committed to full compliance with the Program Integrity Rule, and provides the following information about our accreditation and complaint processes to all current and/or prospective students.
Complaint Process
The College of Wooster seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner. Many student concerns are addressed through academic and student life policies and procedures that are described in The Scot’s Key and The Catalogue.
However, some student concerns or complaints may pertain to alleged violations of State consumer protection laws such as fraud and false advertising, alleged violations of State laws or rules relating to the licensure of post-secondary institutions, and complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
Personnel in the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Affairs, Dean of Students, Business Office, Registrar, President, and Information & Planning can address and resolve most if not all of the questions and concerns you may have:
- Admissions Eligibility & Processes: Office of Admissions
- Federal and Institutional Student Loans, Grants, Work Study: Office of Financial Aid
- Academic Programs: Office of Academic Affairs
- Academic Records: Office of the Registrar
- Student and Campus Life, Campus Security: Office of the Dean of Students
- Tuition and Fee Payments and Refunds: Student Accounts
- Accreditation: Information & Planning
- Other Complaints and Concerns: Office of the President
It is expected that students will fully utilize any or all of the College’s administrative procedures to address concerns or complaints in as timely a manner as possible. On occasion, however, a student may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the Program Integrity Rule. In those select cases, the following independent resources are available to the student:
- The Ohio Department of Higher Education receives and reviews student complaints. More Information.
- The Office of the Ohio Attorney General receives and reviews consumer complaints. More information.
- The Ohio Board of Regents’ program approval office reviews academic programming offered in Ohio by independent institutions including The College of Wooster and makes recommendations regarding institutional authorization and program approval to the Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents.
- The Higher Learning Commission (“HLC”) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is an independent body responsible for the accreditation of programs offered by The College of Wooster. Each year, the HLC receives a number of complaints from students or other parties. When a complaint raises issues regarding an institution’s ability to meet accreditation criteria, the HLC will forward a copy of the complaint to the institution and request a formal response. Instructions for filing a complaint with the Commission are available on its website.
Adopted by the President’s Cabinet: 10 January 2013