Student Consumer Complaint Process
Program Integrity Rule
Beginning July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education regulations to improve the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended (the "Program Integrity Rule"), take effect. The Program Integrity Rule requires, among other things, that each college or university authorized to offer postsecondary 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 postsecondary institutions; and
- Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
Whitworth University, as an institution authorized to provide postsecondary education in the State of Washington, is committed to full compliance with the Program Integrity Rule, and provides the following confirmation to all current and prospective students:
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits Whitworth University. You may review the university's accreditation documents at www.nwccu.org.
Complaint Process
Whitworth University seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner. To that end, the following contact information and resources at Whitworth University are available to current and prospective students for the resolving of complaints. Links are provided to the appropriate Whitworth website for more information on contacts at the university.
Academic Affairs (academic programs, accreditation)
509.777.4657
shill@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/academics
Admissions (admissions eligibility)
509.777.3333
jhibbard@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/admissions
Business Office (tuition/fee payments)
509.777.3209
arogan@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/studentaccountingservices
Financial Aid (loans, scholarships, grants)
509.777.4335
tstensland@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/financialaid
For information and resources about student loan repayment, or to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.
Registrar (academic records)
509.777.4657
shill@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/registrar
Student Life (student and campus life)
509.777.4535
rrhodes@whitworth.edu
www.whitworth.edu/studentlife
The university encourages students to work through internal university processes for resolution of complaints. If a student believes that the university's procedures have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the Program Integrity Rule, the following links and contact information is provided. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.
General and Out-of-State Distance Education
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502
360.753.7800
www.studentcomplaints.wa.gov/hc/en-us
Academics
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
8060 165th Avenue NE
Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425.558.4224 (voice)
425.376.0596 (fax)
www.nwccu.org
Athletic Training
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
6850 Austin Center Blvd.
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78731-3184
512.733.9700
caate.net
Marriage & Family Therapy
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
703.253.0473
coamfte.org
Montessori Programs in Oregon
Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with Whitworth first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate Whitworth officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th Street SE, Salem, OR 97302 or by sending an email to complaints@hecc.oregon.gov. Students may also access the HECC complaints webpage at www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/complaints.aspx. Students may wish to contact Whitworth's institutional accreditor, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Music
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
703.437.0700 (voice)
703.437.6312 (fax)
nasm.arts-accredit.org
Occupational Therapy
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
301.652.6611
www.acoteonline.org/contact-us
Physical Therapy
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave.
Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
703.706.3245
accreditation@apta.org
www.capteonline.org/complaints
State Student Aid
Washington Student Achievement Council
P.O. Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
360.753.7800
www.studentcomplaints.wa.gov/hc/en-us
Teacher Education
Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)
Old Capitol Building
600 Washington Street S, Room 249
P.O. Box 47236
Olympia, WA 98504-7236
www.pesb.wa.gov
www.studentcomplaints.wa.gov/hc/en-us