VCOM Faculty Handbook

AND/OR

2. Contact the COCA directly to report his/her complaint. The COCA has established a complaint review procedure to protect the integrity and the maintenance of accreditation standards and procedures as they relate to approved colleges of osteopathic medicine having recognition from the COCA. Please note that this complaint review procedure is not an appeal process for decisions made by VCOM. The complaint review procedure is to address issues raised related to accreditation issues. Please note that anonymous complaints cannot be considered. This procedure is compliant with the COCA’s accreditation complaint policies and the complaint form can be found at https://osteopathic.org/accreditation/accreditation guidelines/

American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation

142 East Ontario Street Chicago, IL 60611-2864 predoc@osteopathic.org Phone: (312) 202-8124

Once a complaint is received by VCOM either through direct receipt of the VCOM Accreditation Standards and Procedures Complaint Form or via notification by the COCA, the following procedures will be followed: a. Once the Director for Institutional Licensure, Reporting and Accreditation Support receives the complaint, she will make the Provost and President aware of the complaint. b. The Provost will then investigate the complaint and may appoint an ad hoc committee to assist in the investigation. The Provost and the ad hoc committee are responsible for investigating the complaint to determine the facts of the complaint. In the case of a complaint being filed with the COCA, VCOM will submit all required documentation to the COCA for their investigation and determination. c. After a thorough investigation has been conducted by VCOM and/or the COCA, a determination as to whether VCOM is compliant or non-compliant regarding the standard(s) in question will be made. 1) If VCOM is noncompliant, the Provost will make a recommendation as to corrective action(s) to the President and Campus Dean(s). The decision regarding final corrective action(s) will be made jointly by the Provost, President, and Campus Dean(s). 2) If VCOM is compliant, no corrective action(s) are required. However, the Provost reserves the right to make further recommendations to the President and Campus Dean(s) and actions may be taken to improve processes. d. The Provost will complete and submit the Accreditation Standards and Procedures Findings and Resolution Form to the Campus Dean(s) and President who will assure, along with the Provost, that actions are taken to bring the institution into compliance. e. As corrective actions are completed they will be documented by the Provost on the Accreditation Standards and Procedures Findings and Resolution Form. Once all corrective actions are completed, the Provost will submit the final form to the Campus Dean(s) and President. f. VCOM will provide the COCA any follow-up documentation regarding corrective action(s) as required. g. The Provost will meet with the complainant to inform them of the resolution and to explain the findings to the complainant and explain the appeal process. 1) In the event that the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution of the Provost, he/she may appeal the decision, in writing, to the President within 7 calendar days of notification of the resolution and/or may communicate his/her complaint to the COCA. g. All records regarding accreditation standard complaints are maintained confidentially by the Provost.

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