Conclusiones

the last three years.

Student Complaint and Grievance Policies

WKU has clearly defined procedures for student complaints and grievances. Student complaints relate to a specific faculty member, while grievances relate to University- related problems or conditions.

Student Complaints

Step 1 (Faculty Member)

The first step is for the student to discuss the complaint with the faculty member involved. If the faculty member is no longer employed by the University, the student should go directly to the department head who will contact and represent the former faculty member. If the complaint involves a grade, the student must take the complaint to the faculty member within the first two weeks of the first regular semester (fall; spring) following the assignment of the grade. It is hoped that the complaint may be

satisfactorily dealt with at this level.

Step 2 (Department Level)

If the student and the faculty member are unable to resolve the complaint, the student may take the complaint to the faculty member's department head. Written notification of the complaint must be given to the department head within two weeks after meeting with faculty member (Step 1). It is the responsibility of the department head to arrange for a conference where the student, faculty member, and the department head will be present for discussion. Neither the faculty member nor the student will be allowed

17 _{The WKU Student Handbook can be accessed online at}

http://www.wku.edu/handbook/current/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=33), 18 _{Human Resources and EEOC can be accessed respectively at}

http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/HR/AAAweb/HR%20Employee%20Relations%20Policies htm and http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/Legal/EOO/policies.htm.

33 representation at the conference. The department head shall hear both sides of the complaint and shall attempt to mediate a settlement. The department head shall keep a written record of the proceedings, including the recommended solution. The

department head's recommended solution is to be considered by both the faculty member and the student as a recommendation and not as a decision that is binding.

Step 3 (College Level)

Should the student be unable to receive the satisfaction desired at the departmental level, the complaint may be taken to the college level. Written notification of the complaint must be submitted to the college dean or his/her designated representative within two weeks after the conference with the department head (Step 2). Upon receipt of the notification, the college dean or his/her representative shall provide the student a copy of the procedural guidelines to be followed by the College Complaint Committee. The procedural guidelines shall provide for a conference with both the student and the faculty member present for joint discussion of the complaint with the Committee The College Complaint Committee will be responsible for scheduling the conference within two weeks following the submission of a written complaint to the chairman of the College Complaint Committee including as much detail as the student cares to include. The written complaint should clearly state what is considered to be unreasonable and/or unfair practices or procedures. Neither the faculty member nor the student will be allowed representation at the conference. The College Complaint Committee shall hear both sides of the complaint and render a decision. The decision shall be sent in writing to the Provost/Vice-President for Academic Affairs with a copy being sent as a matter of record to the student, faculty member, faculty member's department head, and the faculty member's college dean. The Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs shall be responsible for enforcing the decision of the College Committee. The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall not enforce the decision until two weeks after the decision is made by the College Committee. The purpose of the two week delay is to provide either the student or the faculty member an opportunity to submit a formal written notice of appeal to the University Complaint Committee.

Step 4 (University Level)

Should the student or faculty member desire to appeal the decision of the College Complaint Committee, a formal written notice of appeal may be submitted to the University Complaint Committee chair, with a copy to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs within two weeks of the decision of the College Complaint Committee. The chair of the University Complaint Committee will provide the student and faculty member involved with a copy of the University Complaint Committee's procedural guidelines. The University Complaint Committee will secure copies of the written proceedings from the department head and the College Complaint Committee. The University Complaint Committee will schedule a conference where the faculty member and the student jointly discuss the issue. Neither the faculty member nor the student will be allowed representation at the conference. The Committee's decision will be sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, with a copy being sent as a matter of record to the student, faculty member, faculty member's department head, and the faculty member's college dean. The Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

34 will see that decisions of the University Complaint Committee are carried out. The University Complaint Committee's decision is final.

Student Grievances

A student grievance is defined as “a University-related problem or condition which a student believes to be unfair, inequitable, discriminatory, or a hindrance to the

educational process. A grievance also includes discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or status.” WKU has clearly defined procedures for addressing student grievances through informal and formal channels, which are detailed extensively in the WKU Student Handbook.

The student grievance procedure does not address concerns or complaints related to sexual harassment; instead, WKU employs a separate procedure20_{, also outlined in the}

WKU Student Handbook. Per University procedures, written records of complaints and grievances (formal or informal) are to be maintained at each level above the faculty member. Within the MPH program, complaints and grievances unresolved at the faculty level are handled and maintained by the Department Head. The Associate Dean is responsible for handling student complaints and grievances at the college-level. All persons involved in student complaint and grievance proceedings are expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the grievance and the proceeding and adhere to state and federal laws which govern the privacy rights of students and employees. MPH students are informed about complaint and grievance procedures via the WKU Student Handbook, the WKU website, and, as of fall 2008, the MPH Student Handbook

(Appendix 1) and MPH organizational site on Blackboard. Student Complaints and Grievances, 2005/2006 – 2007/2008

No formal grievances were filed during the academic years covered by this self-study. No complaint data were provided form the former department heads (Dr. Wayne

Higgins in 2005/2006 or Dr. David Dunn, 2006/2007). This may be reflective of handling complaints informally as they arise.

No complaints related to the MPH program were handled in 2007/2008 at the

departmental level by Dr. English. At the college-level, Dr. Gaiko reported two informal complaints, both from 2005/2006. Table 1.4.e presents the data provided in response to the self-study coordinator’s requests for student complaints and grievances.

35 Table 1.4.e: Student Complaints and Grievances

Department College Total

2007/2008 None reported None reported 0

2006/2007 None reported None reported 0

2005/2006 None reported 1. Class offering rotation  worked with program director to resolve

2. Admissions decision  explained process to student

2

1.4.f) Assessment to which this criterion is met.

This criterion is met. The University provides an organizational setting that is

conducive to effective instruction, research, and service and this is reflected in the MPH program’s academic and administrative home. The MPH program is housed within the DPH, one of seven academic departments with CHHS. The dean of CHHS is the academic administrator of the college; the associate dean assumes all roles and responsibilities in the dean’s absence.

The MPH program director provides leadership and oversight of the MPH program’s operations and advocates program needs to the department head of DPH. DPH is the primary reporting unit of all MPH faculty and the unit responsible for ensuring effective teaching, research and service. The department head, who reports directly to the dean of CHHS, is responsible for the leadership and administration of the department, and all programs therein, including developing and monitoring budgets; hiring the faculty and staff; evaluating faculty performance to document workloads; making recommendations for merit raises and promotion and tenure; and ensuring adequate resources for the program.

The MPH program and Graduate Studies and Research work together in developing policies and admittance standards for the program. The MPH program receives

applicant referrals from Graduate Studies and Research for candidates to the program. The relationship between the dean of the graduate school and the MPH program

director is in the context of the Graduate Council. Interdisciplinary communication, cooperation, and collaboration are supported through the organizational structure of academic units within CHHS as well as through its centers and institutes.

The MPH program adheres to WKU’s policies on fair and ethical dealings with faculty, administrators, staff and students. These policies are delineated in the Faculty

Handbook, Equal Opportunity Statements, and the WKU Graduate Catalog. The MPH Student Handbook addresses academic integrity, professional conduct and grievance procedures. The university has well-defined policies and procedures for student

complaints and informal and formal grievances. Most complaints are handled informally. There are no reports of formal grievances at the departmental or college-levels and few documented incidents of complaints. It is likely that student complaints have been underreported due to transitions in leadership.

36 1.5) Governance. The program administration and faculty shall have clearly defined rights and responsibilities concerning program governance and academic policies. Students shall, where appropriate, have participatory roles in conduct of program evaluation procedures, policy-setting and decision-making.

1.5.a) Description of the program’s governance and committee structure and