Notification of Montana University System Complaint Process

In October 2010, the United States Department of Education released new regulations known as the “Program Integrity” rules, which are intended to address concerns relating to the integrity of academic programs offered by postsecondary educational institutions and authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended. As part of those new rules, each state must have in place a process for receiving, reviewing, and responding to complaints concerning post‐secondary educational institutions delivering educational services in that state, and each institution must inform students how to initiate complaints in the state where the student receives instruction. This notification provides information on the complaint process available to students of the Montana University System.

Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 20‐25‐201 and Title 20, Chapter 15 Mont. Code Ann., the designated units of the Montana University System and the duly organized community college districts in the State of Montana are legally authorized to provide postsecondary education in the State of Montana.  Together, these fourteen entities form the group of public postsecondary educational institutions in the State of Montana, all of which are under the authority and control of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System. Those institutions are as follows:

  • Montana State University – Bozeman
  • Montana State University – Billings
  • Montana State University – Billings College of Technology
  • Montana State University – Northern
  • Montana State University – Great Falls College of Technology
  • The University of Montana – Missoula
  • The University of Montana – Missoula College of Technology
  • The University of Montana – Helena College of Technology  
  • Montana Tech of the University of Montana
  • Montana Tech of the University of Montana College of Technology
  • The University of Montana – Western
  • Dawson Community College
  • Flathead Valley Community College
  • Miles Community College

These institutions are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Avenue NE, Suite 100, Redmond, Washington 98052, (425) 558‐4224, https://nwccu.org/. Evidence of each institution’s accreditation can be found at: https://nwccu.org/member-institutions/directory/.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT: 

Students and prospective students of the Montana University System are encouraged to initially address complaints through the applicable institution’s complaint or review procedures.

For distance education students, you may contact:  

Provost, Jennifer Brown PhD
P.O. Box 7751
Havre, MT 59501 (406) 265‐3726
jennifer.brown39@msun.edu 

For on‐campus students, you may contact:  

College of Arts, Sciences and Education
Dean, Beth Durodoye PhD
beth.durodoye@msun.edu

College of Health Sciences
Dean Tiffany Vickers, PhD
tiffany.vickers@msun.edu

College of Technical Sciences
Chair, Steven Don
sdon@msun.edu

Complaints that remain unresolved after engaging in the above‐referenced process may be further pursued in the following manners:

  • An individual adversely affected by the final decision of a university president may appeal the decision to the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Board of Regents pursuant to Board of Regents’ Policy 203.5.2. 
  • Complaints concerning broad institutional academic practices, such as those that raise issues regarding an institution’s ability to meet accreditation standards, may be filed with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. 
  • Complaints concerning consumer protection violations may be directed to the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection.

NC-SARA

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state. MSU-Northern’s participation as a SARA institution expands educational opportunities for its students, decreases institutional risk, and reduces costs associated with offering MSU-Northern programs nationally.

To learn more about SARA, visit nc-sara.org.

SARA State Complaint

A student wishing to file a complaint that is enrolled in a course that takes place outside of Montana in a SARA member state must first follow the process detailed above for the resolution of complaints. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of that process, a complaint involving allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, may be brought to the Montana SARA portal entity. The SARA portal entity in the state where the student is located will be notified that the complaint was received and may assist as needed. Resolution of the complaint by the Montana SARA portal entity is final.

Examples of types of student complaints that may be brought to a SARA portal entity include, but are not limited to, complaints regarding accuracy of job placement data, tuition or fee information, accreditation, whether a program meets professional licensing requirements, or course transfer information. 

Non-SARA State Complaints

A student participating in a course that takes place in a non-SARA state may file a complaint with the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education | Montana University System or may file a complaint in the state where the student is located.