Student Academic Appeals Policy

Purpose

The purpose of the Student Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure is to provide equitable and orderly processes by which to request reconsideration of an academic decision.

Definitions

Appeal – Petition to change a decision rendered about an academic matter. The basis for a student’s appeal of an academic decision may be either that the academic judgment was unfair in the view of the student or that the university's academic policies were applied incorrectly in the view of the student.

Business Days – Monday through Friday excluding university holidays.

Dean - refers to the dean of the student’s program or an academic administrator designated by the provost. Collectively referred to as dean in this document.

Faculty - mentors, instructors, evaluators, and others who make academic decisions. Collectively referred to as faculty in the remainder of the document.

Policy Statements

Students are responsible for reviewing and abiding by the university’s academic policies and procedures. Students are responsible for their academic choices and for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they enroll.

Faculty are responsible for establishing methods and criteria for evaluation and evaluating a student’s performance in courses and prior learning assessments. Awards of academic credit, and other academic judgments are based upon academic performance and the application of relevant academic policies.

Academic judgments made by faculty are recorded in university documents (e.g., final grades, prior learning assessment, etc.). Students may appeal an academic decision if they believe that an academic judgement was unfair or that the university’s academic policies were not followed or were applied incorrectly. All parties involved in the appeal have a right to a meaningful opportunity to be heard and to respond to information and documentation presented.

The university appeals process includes an informal resolution procedure as well as a procedure for formal appeal of an academic decision. The university expects the student to attempt an informal resolution before making a formal appeal.

Grounds for Appeal

Grades on individual assignments may not be appealed.

A student submitting an appeal must state their basis for an appeal and provide documentation supporting that basis. Academic Appeals may be submitted if a student believes that an instructor or academic decision maker did not follow published university policies, processes, and/or standards; evaluation tools and/or criteria; or other documents; or that the determination of the student’s grade or prior learning assessment was made in an erroneous or arbitrary and capricious manner.

Appeals are made to the program or academic unit where the original academic decision was made. When unclear, the appropriate locus of an appeal is resolved by the provost or designee.

Applicable Legislation and Regulations

Federal Regulations: 4 CFR 602.16(a)(1)(ix) and 34 CFR 668.43(b)

Middle States Compliance State Complaint Procedures

Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices PROCEDURES FOR APPEALS OF ACADEMIC DECISIONS

The university appeals process includes an informal resolution procedure as well as a procedure for formal appeal of an academic decision. The university expects the student to attempt an informal resolution before making a formal appeal.

Procedure for Informal Resolution

The informal resolution process includes two possible steps that must be completed within 30 business days of receiving the academic decision.

1. The student should discuss the matter directly with the party who made or represented the academic decision (instructor, mentor, assessment committee representative, assessment professional, etc.) and make a reasonable effort to resolve the
2. If no resolution is reached through the first step, or if the student is uncomfortable trying to resolve the issue directly with the appropriate party, the student may contact student services to facilitate an informal

Procedure for Formal Appeal

1. A student may initiate a formal appeal of an academic decision within ten business days of the issuance of the latest academic decision. The student submits a written appeal to the dean or designee and includes in it:
   • A full description of the academic decision and the basis for the student’s appeal for reconsideration.
   • A statement of the remedy the student is
   • Supporting documents (e.g., course syllabus, grades, correspondence, ).
   • Information on when and with whom the student may have attempted any informal resolution.

2. Initial Review
   • The dean or designee will review the appeal to determine next steps. They may make one of two decisions:
     1. Deny the appeal in cases where the student has not demonstrated a basis for their appeal and it is clear that university policies were followed, or
     2. Determine a remedy for the student
   • The dean or designee may return an appeal to the student for further information or clarification. If the appeal is returned for further information or clarification, the student must submit the requested information or revision within five business days for the appeal to be
3. Determination - The dean or designee will convey their decision and rationale, in writing, to the student and any relevant
4. Appeal of dean’s decision. Decisions made by the dean may be appealed to the provost or designee.
   • The student must submit any further appeal in writing to the provost within five business days of transmittal of the dean’s decision and must include an explanation or justification for the
   • The provost or designee will provide a written decision to the student and any relevant parties. The provost’s decision is final. A student’s status does not change while an appeal is under consideration. If a student was dismissed, they remain dismissed. If they are in academic warning, the warning stands.