Complaint which Falls Outside the Realm of Due Process

The public or any other stakeholder of the School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) has the right to file a complaint and receive due process. According to Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards, this is referred to as a “complaint which falls outside the realm of due process.” The School of Physical Therapy and the College of Health Professions encourages any individual who is unhappy with their experience or encounter with any student, faculty or staff member of the SOPT to file a written complaint. The school takes all program-related complaints seriously and will act upon any complaint in an expedient manner. Once a complaint has been made, the Program Chairperson will gather information and address the complaint. Any complaint and documentation associated with the resolution of “complaints which fall outside the realm of due process” will be kept on file in the SOPT Chairperson’s files for a period of 5 years. The formal policy and procedures are outlined in the SOPT Faculty and Staff Handbook. Complaints by students, faculty, or staff as part of the normal operation of the SOPT will follow individual and respective policies and procedures outlined in the Student or Faculty Handbook and according to Human Resources policies.

“Complaints Which Fall Outside the Realm of Due Process” should be addressed to:

Chairperson
School of Physical Therapy
Marshall University
2847 5th Avenue
Huntington, WV  25702

Procedures for handling a “Complaint which Falls Outside the Realm of Due Process”:

1. When possible, the SOPT Chair will discuss the complaint directly with the party or parties involved within 14 business days.  If at all possible, the matter will be reconciled at this point.  If needed, SOPT Chair will meet with all parties separately and may schedule a joint appointment with the two parties in order to attempt to resolve the issue.  A letter from the SOPT Chair acknowledging the resolution of the complaint will be filed and a copy sent to the complainant.
2. If dissatisfied with the action or decision made by the SOPT Chairperson, or if the complaint is against the SOPT Chairperson, the involved party may submit a written complaint or appeal to the Dean of the College of Health Professions.  A letter outlining the resolution by the Dean shall be filed with the complaint in the SOPT Chair’s office for a period of 5 years.
   Dean, College of Health Professions
   224A Prichard Hall
   Marshall University
   Huntington, WV 25755
3. If the complainant believes that additional review is necessary, then the last line of complaint is with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs
4. 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.