Complaints regarding a department or program within HSHP, inclusive of the academic program or any of its members, that have not been resolved by informal discussions and/or the college petitioning processes may be submitted in writing to the Dean of HSHP (hshpdean@ithaca.edu).
Complaints may be submitted by persons affiliated with the department or program (e.g. students, faculty, clinical preceptors or supervisors, administrators or staff) or from the public (e.g. employers of graduates, those who have no formal association with the program or the college). The College prohibits retaliation against any individual for the purpose of interfering with their access to this process or based on their submission of a complaint in accordance with this process.
The written complaint should include the name and contact information of the person(s) submitting the complaint. The written statement should clearly describe the issue(s) of concern, date(s) that it occurred, and individual(s) involved. The Dean, or their designee, will initiate an investigation into the matter. This may involve dialogue with the parties of interest, the department faculty, or program administrators. It may also involve referrals to appropriate offices on campus (e.g., the Title IX Office, Human Resources, Student Conduct Office, etc.). Following an examination of allegations, the Dean (or their designee) will determine whether a violation of an applicable College policy or standard has occurred and may (a) take steps reasonably calculated to prevent further violation and remedy its effects; (b) offer recommendations to address the concerns underlying the complaint or (c) find the complaint to be without sufficient merit and take no action. Note that referrals of certain complaints will require, in accordance with College policy, that the Dean’s Office defer to an office of appropriate authority for the full investigation and resolution of a matter.
Records of the complaints submitted by any party are maintained in secure files within the HSHP Deans Office for six years from the date of resolution or disposition.
Complaints that are not resolved to the satisfaction of the persons filing the complaint(s) may be submitted to the Office of the Provost.
External Remedies
Aside from the internal processes at Ithaca College, individuals may find support through the following external entities:
a) the New York State Education Department (NYSED) https://www.nysed.gov/contact-NYSED Contact NYSED | New York State Education Department and/or
b) the accrediting body of the department/program
AT: https://caate.net/file-a-complaint
OT: https://acoteonline.org/about/compliments-complaints/
PA: https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ARC-PA-Complaint-Form-PG.docx
PT: Complaints | Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education