Student Consumer Information

View NC-SARA information for CWI programs

State Authorization and Regulatory Compliance

The State of Idaho is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the College of Western Idaho is one of the approved SARA institutions in Idaho. As such, we adhere to an established common set of standards for offering post-secondary distance education among member states, districts and territories. Participation in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

While we monitor the laws in each state, and strive to keep you apprised of relevant changes that may affect you, the authorization of distance education and licensure requirements are determined by each state, and things change frequently.  If you are pursuing education, particularly toward licensure, thorough CWI while in another state, you are strongly advised to check with the relevant state regulators and/or licensing body as it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements for licensure or certification in the state or locality you plan to work in.  For additional information on professional licensure, you can review the SARA Professional Licensure resource page.

For questions about the student complaint process for Online and Distance Education courses or programs at College of Western Idaho, please contact Chad Trisler, Dean of Students or Patrick Tanner, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success.  More information about filing an institutional appeal is available below, or you may use the General Complaint Form.

Mailing Address:
College of Western Idaho
MS 2020
PO Box 3010
Nampa, ID 83653
Phone: 208.562.2106
E-Mail: chadtrisler@cwi.edu or patricktanner@cwi.edu

Institutional Appeals

The College of Western Idaho strives to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available. However, if a conflict does arise, our efforts are meant to resolve your grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner.

Appeals to the Institution

Students with concerns, complaints, and/or petitions have access to processes to resolve their concern(s). The college encourages informal resolution as a first step, working with faculty, programs, colleges and similar structures, depending on the nature of the concern. Academic appeals are heard in one of the following committees: Academic Integrity Board or the Academic Records Board, as described in the Student Appeals section of the CWI Catalog.

Your academic success advisor or an OneStop Representative can help you identify where to locate the correct form for your situation. Most appeal processes require a form to initiate the process.  which can be downloaded from the Forms and Publications page by searching under Registration and Records.

Additional appeals processes

• Academic Records Appeal — To drop or withdrawal from classes or request a refund or reduction in fees based on unexpected or extenuating circumstances
• Academic Misconduct Appeal — For academic misconduct or academic integrity hearings (Used after meeting with the Instructor and Department Chair without resolution)
• Behavioral Misconduct Appeal — For hearings conducted through student affairs addressing non-academic misconduct
• Grade Appeal — To appeal a grade which may have be issued incorrectly or inappropriately (Used after meeting with the Instructor and Department Chair without resolution)
• Satisfactory Academic Process (SAP Appeal) — To appeal loss of financial aid due to academic progress
• Sexual Harassment Grievance Process — To file a grievance regarding Sexual Harassment or rights protected under Title IX
• Workforce Development Appeal Process  — Refund/Cancellation/Appeal Process
• General Grievance Process — To file a grievance or appeal not addressed above
• Ethics Hotline — To report fraud, waste, or other unethical behavior (may be submitted anonymously)

Additional useful forms, documents, and information from various offices are available on the Forms and Publications page.

State-Level Appeals

Appeals at the State Level

The SARA program requires that a student must first attempt to resolve any disputes at the member school level before filing a state-level appeal. All relevant CWI appeal processes must be completed prior to appealing to the Idaho State Board of Education.  If you have not attempted to resolve the situation through CWI, see the section above.  Please be aware that there may only be one appeal option, or there may be several that may be able to resolve your concern.  If you are uncertain which appeals may apply to you, please contact your advisor, the CWI OneStop, or the CWI Dean of Students Office for assistance in determining the appropriate avenues for appeal.    

If you have exhausted your appeal options at CWI and are still unsatisfied with the outcome of your dispute, you may may choose to file an appeal at the state level. 

• If you are a CWI student who is completing coursework from another state, you will utilize the Idaho State Board of Education Complaint Procedures. 
• If you are student living in Idaho, completing coursework at an institution in another state, contact the state office where the institution is located for complaint procedures.
• If you are a CWI student who lives in Idaho, you are not covered under SARA and can not appeal using this process.
• If you are taking courses at an institution located in California, you will need to file an appeal through the California Department of Consumer Affairs, as California is not a SARA participant.