Graduate Program Complaints/Grievance Policy

NON-RETALIATION STATEMENT

Hanover College and its graduate programs prohibit any and all retaliation against individuals raising concerns and complaints/grievances. The non-retaliation policy states that:

“Hanover College strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual for reporting, providing information, exercising one’s rights or responsibilities, or otherwise being involved in the process of responding to, investigating, or addressing any complaints including allegations of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Therefore, any retaliation, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any such individual, undertaken or attempted either directly or by someone acting on behalf of another, will be addressed in the most serious way by Hanover College. The individuals who engage in such actions are subject to discipline consistent with College procedure. Anyone who is aware of possible retaliation or has other concerns regarding the response to a complaint should report such concerns to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, to the Title IX Coordinator or to any Student Life staff member, who shall take appropriate actions to address such conduct in a prompt and equitable manner”.

Persons who report complaints/grievances in good faith are protected from any form of retaliation. Deliberately false allegations are not protected under this good-faith policy.

Our graduate programs strive to meet the needs of its faculty and students. Concerns can often be resolved through informal means by direct contact with the individual (e.g., phone, email, face-to-face meeting, or video teleconference).

Formal complaints/grievances should be directed to the Graduate Program Director or Provost/Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA).

Gregory Kline, PT, DPT, EdD, MBA
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Program Director
(812) 866-7030
kline@hanover.edu

Sheri Montgomery, OTD, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
Program Director
(812) 866-7049
montgomerys@hanover.edu

Carey Adams
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
(812) 866-7005
adamsc@hanover.edu

For complaints related to other issues: Title IX, sexual harassment and campus offices

For complaints/grievances related to academic performance, students should follow the grade appeal policy as described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

FOR GRADUATE FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS

Any individual may file a complaint/grievance against the graduate program. When the Graduate Program Director is the source of the concerns/complaints/grievances/issue(s), individuals are encouraged to contact the Graduate Program Director first. If the issue cannot be resolved or if direct contact with the Graduate Program Director is not appropriate, they may proceed to the Provost/VPAA for assistance with the complaint submission.

The Hanover College its graduate programs prohibit any and all retaliation against individuals raising concerns and complaints/grievances.

The following processes are in place for the programs:

1. Individuals are expected to bring any concerns and/or issue(s) to the appropriate individual/s involved. If the concern and/or issue(s) cannot be resolved, faculty and students can file a formal complaint at the Hanover College online consumer complaints form below and attach appropriate documentation. All complaints are routed to the Graduate Program Director, Provost and the Special Assistant to the President for Accreditation and External Relations.
2. Individuals may file a complaint for any aspect of the graduate program. Complaints/grievances may include, but are not limited to, admissions policies, inappropriate faculty or student conduct, inequities in grading, student complaints against faculty, Center Coordinator of Clinical Education, Clinical Instructors, Fieldwork Educators, Capstone Site Mentors, patients/clients and/or failure to adhere to Hanover College or graduate program policies.
3. Individuals are expected to provide a statement of the complaint/grievance and provide a narrative with specifics about the complaint, provide specific actions desired to resolve the stated issues, and describe the attempts made to resolve the situation.
4. The Graduate Program Director will determine the appropriate course of resolution. Complaints/grievances that fall outside of due process are directed to the Graduate Program Director. The Graduate Program Director may consult with the Directors within the Graduate Program Director, Human Resources, and/or the Provost/VPAA.
5. It is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Director to ensure that concerns/complaints/grievances/issue(s) are investigated and responded to in a timely and thorough manner.
6. After submission of a complaint, the Graduate Program Director will acknowledge the complaint/grievance and respond to the individual/s that filed the complaint.
7. All complaints will be treated confidentially to the extent allowable until investigated. The complaint/grievance is only known to the individual/s involved and not openly discussed in any public forum. The graduate program encourages individuals to promptly seek resolution using the following guidelines:
   1. Any person with a complaint/grievance related to the Graduate faculty or staff will contact the Graduate Program Director.
   2. The Graduate Program Director will decide if the complaint/grievance is academic, personnel, or programmatic in nature and determine the appropriate course of resolution.
   3. The Graduate Program Director will work with the Office of Human Resources, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and/or the Title IX Coordinator at Hanover College to resolve personnel issues (Staff, faculty, and/or vendor issues).
   4. The Graduate Program Director will work with the Office of Human Resources, the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and/or the Title IX Coordinator at Hanover College to address complaints for student on student related to discrimination, sexual harassment, and/or sexual violence.
   5. The Graduate Program Director will direct academic complaints/grievances to the Graduate Program Academic Standing and Progression Committee.
   6. The Graduate Program Director will direct complaints/grievances related to conduct to the Director of Student Affairs, Director of Clinical Education, Director of Fieldwork Education or Director of Capstone Education.
   7. The Graduate Program Director will direct complaints related to accessibility issues and/or potential ADA violations to the Accessibility Office.
   8. The Graduate Program Director will work with the Directors within the Graduate Program to discuss programmatic issues.
8. The Graduate Program Director is responsible for maintaining a record or log of all formal complaints against the program in a securely stored portal in the Hanover College Consumer Complaint website. Recorded information will include the date/time of the complaint, date/time of the incident, nature/description of the complaint, and actions taken to address and resolve the complaint.

FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, CLINICAL EDUCATION, FIELDWORK AND CAPSTONE SITES, FAMILY MEMBERS, EMPLOYERS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC (COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE REALM OF DUE PROCESS)

Prospective students, family members, employers, and the general public may file a complaint/grievance against the graduate program. When the Graduate Program Director is the source of the concerns/complaints/grievances/issue(s), individuals are encouraged to contact the Graduate Program Director first. If the issue cannot be resolved or if direct contact with the Graduate Program Director is not appropriate, they may proceed to the Provost/VPAA for assistance with the complaint submission.

The Hanover College its graduate programs prohibit any and all relation against individuals raising concerns and complaints/grievances.

1. After submission of a complaint, the Graduate Program Director will acknowledge the complaint/grievance and respond to the individual(s) that filed the complaint.
2. The Graduate Program Director will determine the appropriate course of resolution. Complaints/grievances that fall outside of due process may require consultation with the Directors within the Graduate Programs, Human Resources, and/or the Provost/VPAA.
3. It is the responsibility of the Program Director to ensure that concerns/complaints/grievances/issue(s) are investigated and responded to in a timely and thorough manner.
4. All complaints will be treated confidentially to the extent allowable until investigated. The complaint/grievance is only known to the individual/s involved and not openly discussed in any public forum.
5. The Graduate Program Director is responsible for maintaining a record or log of all formal complaints against the program in a securely stored portal in the Hanover College Consumer Complaint website. Recorded information will include the date/time of the complaint, date/time of the incident, nature/description of the complaint, and actions taken to address and resolve the complaint.
6. Clinical Instructors, Fieldwork Educators and Capstone Site Mentors are informed of the complaint process during orientation semi-annually through live or recorded webinars. Complaints from clinical education, fieldwork and capstone sites and Clinical Instructors, Fieldwork Educators or Capstone Site Mentors should be directed in writing to the Director of Clinical Education, Director of Fieldwork Education or the Director of Capstone Education. The Clinical Instructor, Fieldwork Educator or Capstone Site Mentor should attempt to resolve any concerns/complaints/grievances/issue(s) involving a student in a confidential fashion with their student. The issue should be taken to the Graduate Program Director if an amicable resolution is not reached.