CVTEA accreditation policies and procedures

Last update to this section: January 2024

XII. Procedure for Request for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation

A designation of probationary accreditation is not an adverse accreditation decision as defined by the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA-CVTEA (CVTEA).

Programs that are placed on probationary accreditation may request a reconsideration of the CVTEA's decision according to the following procedures. These reconsideration procedures are designed as a continuation of the accreditation peer review process and are therefore considered to be non-adversarial.

Basis of Request for Reconsideration

The affected program may request Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation Status on the grounds that CVTEA's action was arbitrary and capricious, resulted from errors in the application of CVTEA's standards, policies or procedures, or was not based on substantial evidence in the accreditation record at the time of the decision.

Reconsideration Procedures

When a program requests reconsideration of probationary accreditation status, the following procedure will apply:
Not later than 10 business days from receipt of the notice of a designation of probationary accreditation and the grounds therefore, the program shall submit, a Notice of Intent to Request Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation Status, attention to the Chair of the AVMA-CVTEA, via email to jhorvathatavma [dot] org. The Notice shall provide a brief summary of the specific grounds for the request.

Failure to submit the Notice within the required timeframe will be deemed a waiver of the program's right to request a reconsideration of probationary accreditation status, and the CVTEA's designation of probationary accreditation will become final.

Documentation Supporting the Request for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation Status

Not later than 20 business days after receiving the notification of a designation of probationary accreditation, the program shall file its Request for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation Status with documentation supporting the reasons why the program believes that CVTEA's decision is erroneous.

Ad hoc Subcommittee for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation

The chair of the CVTEA shall appoint an ad hoc subcommittee of the CVTEA to consider the program's Request for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation. The ad hoc subcommittee shall be comprised of three (3) members, all of whom currently serve on the CVTEA, and one of whom may be a public member. The Chair of the CVTEA shall designate the chair of the ad hoc subcommittee. The CVTEA member who served as the Chair of the Site Visithall not be a member of the ad hoc subcommittee. Before assuming their responsibilities, ad hoc subcommittee members receive training on the charge of the ad hoc subcommittee.

Charge of the Ad hoc Subcommittee for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation

The ad hoc subcommittee's charge is to consider the Accreditation Record, CVTEA's written findings and reasons for the designation of probationary accreditation, and the program's Request for Reconsideration of Probationary Accreditation, and provide a recommendation to the full CVTEA regarding the assignment of probationary accreditation status.

The ad hoc subcommittee has no authority to consider new evidence or evidence outside the record considered by CVTEA at the time of its designation of probationary accreditation. The ad hoc subcommittee does not have the authority to determine the reasonableness of CVTEA Standards or procedures. The program has the burden of proof.

Accreditation Record

The CVTEA staff will serve as administrators of the ad hoc subcommittee reconsideration process. The CVTEA staff will compile the accreditation record consisting of the self-study, the Report of Evaluation (ROE), the program's response to the ROE, and any other reporting or correspondence that is material to the CVTEA's designation of probationary accreditation.

The record will be sent to the ad hoc subcommittee and to the program in advance of the filing deadline for written submissions.

Recommendations Available to the Ad hoc Subcommittee

Affirm: If the ad hoc subcommittee determines the program has failed to meet its burden of proof, the ad hoc subcommittee must recommend that the designation of Probationary Accreditation be affirmed by the CVTEA.

Reconsider: If the ad hoc subcommittee considers that the designation of probationary accreditation was arbitrary and capricious, resulted from errors in the application of CVTEA's standards, policies or procedures, or was not based on substantial evidence in the record at the time of the decision, the ad hoc subcommittee must recommend the CVTEA reconsider its decision. The recommendation should include the specific material facts that are the basis of the recommendation to reconsider, and clearly state what accreditation status the ad hoc subcommittee is recommending.

The ad hoc subcommittee will provide its recommendations in writing to the CVTEA.

CVTEA Consideration of Ad hoc Subcommittee Recommendations

The CVTEA will consider the recommendations of the ad hoc subcommittee within 30 business days of receipt of the ad hoc subcommittee's recommendations. This may necessitate a special CVTEA meeting to consider the ad hoc subcommittee's recommendations. Members of the ad hoc subcommittee shall not participate in the discussion or vote. The CVTEA can endorse or amend the recommendations of the ad hoc subcommittee. The CVTEA's decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Notification

CVTEA will notify the program and other stakeholders of the final decision consistent with Program Notification and Reporting to the Community.