If you decide to appeal an academic decision, contact the advisor for more detailed
information and assistance. The University provides a process whereby a student may appeal an academic decision, including, but not limited to, grades on course activities, evaluations, course grades, decisions on program admissions, and decisions on fulfillment of program and graduation requirements.
Academic appeals can be made only on grounds of unfair treatment against the stated standards, not against the professional judgment of the faculty member(s). The intent is always to resolve the appeal at the most immediate level. Only in extraordinary circumstances, if a resolution cannot be obtained at the first level, is the process moved to the next
level.
In each case, the student shall bring the appeal in writing to the person or committee who made the original decision. If a resolution is not obtained at that level, the student may appeal to the next level in the school or
University administrative structure.
Guidelines for academic appeals
- The student must make the appeal in writing within five calendar days after receiving the decision from the faculty member or committee.
- At each level, the parties will attempt to resolve the issue according to ethical practices, accreditation standards, and University policy.
- As the person making the appeal, the student should provide the necessary supportive information to substantiate the appeal.
- If for any reason a case is appealed beyond the faculty member or faculty committee, an appeal file shall be created. This file will contain written documentation related to the case including, but not limited to, the student’s written appeal and the faculty response. The appeal file shall be open to all principals in the case, including the student appellant.
Levels of appeals
Appeals on final grades must be submitted within one quarter of the grade being awarded. For appeals on academic decisions such as grades on course activities, evaluations, course grades, and decisions on program admissions, the levels to be followed in order are the following:
- Course instructor or ad hoc faculty committee appointed by department chair
- Department chair
- School dean
- Provost (The decision of the provost in any student appeal is final.)
Academic petitions regarding general University matters such as decisions on graduation requirements or other Catalog academic regulations may be made in the following order:
- Student Academic Services
- Curriculum Committee
- Provost (The decision of the provost in any student appeal is final.)