Formal academic complaints about a class or professor should be taken directly to the professor concerned first. If the issue is not resolved, a written complaint should be filed with the appropriate department chair or director. This written version should identify the complainant, specifically detail the perceived problem, the date of the meeting with the Professor and be accompanied by any relevant supporting documentation or data. It should also include the proposed response or remedy.
- The department chair/director shall discuss the grievance with both the student and the professor (either individually or together) and shall make a recommendation to the student and the professor as to a resolution. If the department chair or director is the professor, the senior member of the department other than the course instructor shall hear the appeal.
- If the problem has not been resolved in steps one or two above, the student may appeal to the appropriate dean. In this case, the student and the professor shall submit in writing their positions in the matter. The appropriate dean may also request a written recommendation from the department chair or director. (These documents are not intended to preclude meetings between the academic dean and the student, the professor and/or the department chair or director.)
- The appropriate dean shall then forward written recommendation to the student, the professor and the department chair.
- The student may appeal the dean’s decision to the academic vice president within 15 days.
- Formal academic complaints about a program should be filed with the appropriate department chair or director and then proceed to resolution through the same steps outlined above for complaints about professors or courses.
Additionally, complaints against the Notre Dame of Maryland University, Occupational Therapy Program may be submitted directly to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). To receive formal consideration, all complaints must be submitted in writing to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an email addressed to accred@aota.org and must include a signed complaint form, "Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation". The Accreditation department will acknowledge the complaint within one week of receipt of the complaint. A complaint against an educational program must: a. describe the nature of the complaint and the related accreditation Standards or accreditation policies or procedures that the complainant believes are not being met by the program, including any evidence or documents that might substantiate the complaint; b. provide documentation that the complainant has followed the academic program's complaint or grievance policy and made reasonable efforts to resolve the complaint, or, alternatively, information that demonstrates such efforts would be unavailing; and, c. be signed by the complainant.
NOTE: The confidentiality of the complaining party is protected by AOTA Accreditation staff unless release of identity has been authorized, or disclosure is required by legal action.