Preamble

Conflicts or disputes may include academic expectations (interpretation of assignments and coursework), clinical placement evaluation, financial difficulties, harassment, conduct contrary to the CATA Code of Ethics, personal behavior and evaluation, participation, and/or requests for support and assistance.

Policy

This policy governs complaints from students respecting The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Association and any aspect of its operations. Students will not be subject to any form of retaliation as a result of filing a complaint.

All student complaints must be made in writing. All letters of dispute must be filed with the Institute within three (3) months of the date of the occurrence or omission that gave rise to it. If the letter of dispute is filed after three (3) months, the individual shall have the burden of proof that the knowledge of the event was acquired after its occurrence. The above-mentioned delays for the filing of a dispute are mandatory. Disputes filed after the expiration of the prescribed delays will be rejected.

The student must provide the written complaint to the Executive Director and Academic Director who are responsible for making determinations in respect of complaints. In the event that The Executive Director or Academic Director is named in a complaint, the student can make the complaint to the Chair of the HR Committee.

The process by which the student complaint will be handled is as follows:

• The student is responsible to inform the student and/or staff person of the dispute. Learning skills in conflict resolution is an important part of therapeutic training and any problem or dispute should be approached with the attitude that this is both an opportunity to learn and to practice skills. If a resolution cannot be found between the two parties, a meeting with The Executive Director or Academic Director may be scheduled. The student/employee/Co-Director may request a third party to attend the meeting (for example, the other Co-Director, the HR Committee Chair, a faculty member or a student) for the purpose of support, advice or representation.
• If the dispute is not resolved by (a) above, a student can make complaint via a written submission of the dispute to the Executive Director and Academic Director and the Chairperson of the HR Committee of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Association Board.
• The Chairperson of the HR Committee will seek further clarification (written or verbal). The process of gathering information may function as a mediation. The Chairperson has the option of asking for support/advice/representation during any part of the process or appointing another or additional committee member. It is important that this person should not be an employee, graduate or faculty member of the Institute.
• The Chairperson of the HR Committee will provide the Student/Staff/Executive Director and Academic Director with a written decision, including conclusions and recommendations. The delivery of this decision should not exceed 45 days from the initial dispute.
• If it becomes impossible for the Chairperson of the HR Committee to facilitate and recommend a consensual agreement that is both workable and can be respected by all parties, then an external Mediator will be engaged by the KATI board. The Institute will pay for a maximum two-hour mediation session with all parties involved, the outcome of which is binding to both parties.
• Written reasons for the determination will be provided to the student within 45 days after the date on which the complaint was made. The student making the complaint may be represented by an agent or a lawyer.
• If the student is or was enrolled in an approved program and is still dissatisfied with the outcome they may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutions Branch (www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca).