2021 - 2022 COM Student Handbook

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM)—Medical Education Program 2021–2022 284 Grievances and Appeals A. Nongrade-Related Grievance Any student has the right to seek redress of a grievance with immunity from disciplinary action or retaliation consistent with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws. For a student to address a grievance, he or she must use the following procedures: 1. The student will present the grievance to the student’s assigned faculty adviser. If the faculty adviser cannot affect a resolution to the problem, the student may then consult with the assistant dean of Student Affairs. 2. The program director will hear the grievance. 3. If a satisfactory solution cannot be achieved, the student will be advised to prepare a written, signed request, setting forth the grievance and requesting a hearing with the SPAC. 4. Copies of appropriate and relevant documentation must be appended to this request, which will include a statement to redress the student requests. 5. The student will submit the request to the chairperson of the SPAC. 6. The chairperson of the SPAC shall convene the committee. 7. The student will be notified, via phone and email, of the date, time, and place of the meeting. 8. The meeting shall be internal, private, and closed to nonuniversity personnel. Nonuniversity personnel are not available for consultation during these meetings. Legal representation or any other form of representation is prohibited during the hearing. At the meeting of the SPAC, the student will be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present the grievance and to respond to relevant questions posed by members of the committee. 9. The committee will, after deliberation, make a recommendation to the dean. 10. Following receipt of the committee’s recommendation, the dean, or designee, will advise the student, by certified mail, of the action taken to resolve the grievance. 11. If the student is still not satisfied, he or she may request an additional review by the Appeals Board. This request must be made in writing and delivered to the dean within 10 days of the date of the letter advising the student of the grievance resolution. The request must specify additional relevant facts, which were not presented to the SPAC and must state the specific redress desired. 12. The college Appeals Board will conduct a review (see Appeals Board section in this handbook). The decision of the Appeals Board shall be final with no official recourse or available appeal.