Feds: University of New Mexico fails in sex assault response

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Students and staff do not know how to report sexual assault or sexual harassment at the University of New Mexico or where to turn for help in a broken system that fails to comply with federal law, the U.S. Justice Department said Friday.

The school was among several nationwide, including the University of Montana and the University of Connecticut, to come under federal scrutiny in recent years as the Obama administration urged colleges to improve the way they respond to allegations of sexual assault.

A confusing grievance process emerged from "significant gaps" in how school officials investigated sexual assault and harassment, a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office in New Mexico said.