Complaint Form

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) responds to complaints regarding allegations of institutional conditions “that raise significant questions about the institution’s compliance with the Standards for Accreditation.”

Please review the Policy and Procedures for the Consideration of Complaints made Against Affiliated Institutions and the Standards for Accreditation before completing this form. Both are available on the Commission website, along with further information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions About Complaints. Please note that matters that are in litigation or involve criminal conduct will not be considered by the Commission.

All institutions accredited by the Commission are required to have in place grievance and complaint policies and procedures that are well publicized and fairly administered. It is the responsibility of the individual filing a complaint with NECHE to have attempted, prior to submitting a complaint to NECHE, to resolve the matter through the institution's established procedures and processes. Evidence (e.g. appeal results) that such effort has been made must be uploaded with this complaint form.

All additional documents uploaded with this complaint must be relevant to the complaint and include page numbers.

All items specified on the complaint form are required. Incomplete forms or anonymous complaints cannot be submitted.

College or University named in the complaint

Start to type the name, and then select from the list provided.

Information About the Individual Filing the Complaint

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Address

Status in relation to the institution named in the complaint (select all that apply)

Other Relation

Other Status

Student Status

Faculty/Staff Status

Complaint Content

1. State the general nature of your complaint as clearly and concisely as possible. This statement helps Commission staff determine if the complaint falls within the scope of the Commission’s complaint policy.

2a. Briefly describe the details of the complaint.

2b. When did the events described above take place? Please note that except in extraordinary circumstances, the Commission does not consider complaints regarding matters that took place more than three years prior to the filing of the complaint.

3a. Which of the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation does your complaint refer to? Identify the specific standard or standards (hold down the CTRL key to select all that apply).

Hold down CTRL to select multiple standards

3b. In what way are the events you described above an institutional condition (not an individual grievance) that may suggest a violation of the Standards for Accreditation?

4. List the steps you have taken to resolve the complaint, including demonstrating your serious effort to follow the institution's grievance or complaint procedures. Explain any other external channels that you are pursuing to resolve the complaint. In item 6 below, please upload relevant institutional grievance and appeals policies and processes and any documents relevant to your pursuit of external channels.

5. Summarize the resolution you are seeking from the Commission.

6. Upload documents to support this complaint. In keeping with the Commission’s complaint policy, materials should include “substantial evidence” that states “relevant and provable facts.” Materials should be limited and directly supportive of the complaint. Include documents relevant to your attempt to resolve the complaint through the institution's processes.

By submitting this form, I certify that:

I read the NECHE complaint policy, understand the Commission's timeline for the review of complaints, and agree that submission of this form constitutes my formal complaint.

I understand that the Commission does not: consider anonymous complaints; adjudicate individual grievances; act as a court of appeal or regulatory body; intervene in an institution’s internal procedures; consider repetitive complaints that have previously been submitted by the complainant and acted upon by the Commission.

I authorize NECHE to provide my complaint and supporting documents to the institution involved.

I attest that the matter is not in litigation and does not involve criminal conduct.

All of the information given above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that clicking the Submit button serves as the electronic signature for submission of the complaint.

If you have questions about submitting a complaint, contact:

Dr. Carol Anderson, Vice President, canderson@neche.org

781-425-7713

Contact Information