Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program

PROGRAM ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE/PETITIONS

It is the policy of the Rio Grande Valley College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program to work with students in finding a fair and just solution to problems that may arise, including grievances, questions, misunderstandings, or discrimination. Student complaints shall be addressed in a fair and objective manner to adhere to nondiscriminatory practices.

Each grievance should be submitted in writing by using the following process (as outlined on the RGV course catalog):

Step 1.
Studies that have a grievance should discuss it informally with their instructor within five (5) business days of the event. The instructor will attempt to resolve any issues, concerns, or problems with which the incident originated. We hope that the majority of concerns will be resolved this way.

Step 2.
If the student feels that the matter has not been resolved through the informal discussion, he/she should submit a grievance in writing to the PTA Program Director.

Step 3.
The PTA Program Director will respond to written grievance within five (5) days and schedule an appointment to meet with the student to discuss the grievance. The PTA Program Director will conduct an investigation and thereafter, provide the student a full and fair opportunity to present information relevant to the grievance. The PTA Program Director will render their decision in writing within ten (10) business days after concluding their investigation. The student’s written complaint along with the Program Director’s decision will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Minerva Gatling, PT DPT
PTA Program Director
Email: mgatling@rgvcollege.edu
Office: (956) 781-6800 ext. 515

Step 4.
If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may submit their grievance in writing to the College President, Dr. Annabelle Palomo, EdD, CEO. The College President will review the investigation and documentation to confirm that a full and fair opportunity of information was presented to resolve the grievance. The College President will render a decision in writing within ten (10) business days after concluding the investigation. The College President’s decision will be final.

Annabelle Palomo, Chief Executive Office/College President
Email: apalomo@rgvcollege.edu
Office: (956)781-6800

Step 5.
If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may write to:
1. Texas Workforce Commission
Career Schools and Colleges
101 East 15th Street Room 226T
Austin, Texas 78778-0001 or Falls Church VA 22043
(512) 936-3100
https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/career-schools-colleges-students

2. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
7777 Leesburg Pike Suite 314N
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 917-9503
www.abhes.org

3. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Office of General Counsel
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, Texas 78711-2788

Complaints must be filed online and uploaded in PDF format by accessing: https://www1.thecb.state.tx.us/Apps/CRAFT/Home/Create

If a student bypasses the steps in the chain of command, the complaint will be redirected back to the proper tier displayed above.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints regarding the program should be first addressed to the PTA Program Director (Minerva Gatling, PT, DPT, PTA Program Director, Email: mgatling@rgvcollege.edu, Office: (956)781-6800 EXT 515). Unresolved complaints or complaints about the Program Director should be directed to Dr. Annabelle Palomo, College President, Email: apalomo@rgvcollege.edu, Office: (956) 781-6800 ext. 515. All complaints will be documented, including the projected outcome, and kept on file at the program facility. No retaliation will occur to the individual filing the complaint by the PTA Program or by the college. Complaints regarding accreditation issues regarding the program should be addressed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. This Commission is located at 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305 | Email: accreditation@apta.org | 703-706-3245.