Policy for Complaints about the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Outside the Realm of Due Process
An individual, group, or organization that falls outside the realm of University due process, may file a complaint about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program regarding program policies and procedures, activities, or individual or groups of students, faculty and staff. Examples of complaints outside the realm of due process include but are not limited to those lodged by clinical education sites, employers of graduates, and the public. This policy does not apply to complaints from current students or university faculty or staff which should be pursued through the customary due process policies and procedures available to these constituents and outlined in the Student Handbook.
Procedure for Handling Complaints about the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Outside the Realm of Due Process
1. Formal complaints should be submitted to the Program Director. The complaint must clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint, provide relevant information supporting the charge, and outline actions sought by the complainant. Complaints should be signed by the individual lodging the complaint and submitted in writing to:
Director, Department of Physical Therapy
3147 Horsebarn Hill Road
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
2. The Director will discuss the complaint directly with the party involved within 14 business days. The Director will determine if the complaint should be remanded to an existing mechanism within the university according to state policy (i.e. ethics complaint against a faculty member, student behavior which violates community standards) and if so, refer to the appropriate office or agency.
3. If the complaint falls outside of the realm of due process and discussion results in resolution of the matter, a letter from the Director to that effect will be mailed to the complainant, and a copy will be kept on file in the program office for a period of 5 years.
4. If the complaint is not resolved at the Program level, or if the complaint is against the Program Director, the complaint will be addressed directly with the parties involved by the Department Head (Kinesiology)within 14 business days. If this resolves the matter, the Department Head will acknowledge resolution of the complaint via a letter sent to the complainant and Program Director.
5. If the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant after review by the Department Head, then the written complaint may be filed with the Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs:
Office of the Provost
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
6. The Provost will discuss the complaint directly with the parties involved within 14 business days and acknowledge resolution of the complaint via a letter sent to the complainant, Department Head, and Program Director.
7. Outside of the institution, a complaint can also be filed with the physical therapy accrediting body: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA. 22314.
8. Records of complaints about the program, including the nature of the complaint and the final letter of disposition of the complaint are maintained by the Program Director.