Academic Appeal Policy

Purpose and Scope

This policy establishes a single process for a student to appeal (a) a final course grade or an assignment grade the student believes was miscalculated or assigned unfairly, or (b) a sanction imposed under the Academic Integrity Policy. Appeals of academic dismissal for academic standing, and of other academic policies not addressed here, are governed by the University’s separate academic grievance provision.

Grounds for Appeal

An appeal must be based on one or more of the following:

1. Procedural error in the assignment of the grade or in the handling of the integrity matter.
2. Demonstrable bias on the part of the faculty member or decision-maker.
3. Relevant information that was not reasonably available at the time of the original decision.
4. A sanction that is not commensurate with the conduct or incident.

Step One - Resolution with the Faculty Member

The student must first seek to resolve the matter directly with the faculty member who issued the grade or reported the violation. The student must initiate this contact within 10 business days of the date of notification, and the faculty member is expected to respond and meet with the student within 10 business days. Where the contested outcome is a suspension or dismissal imposed above the faculty and dean level, the student may proceed directly to Step Two.

Step Two - Written Appeal

If the matter is not resolved at Step One, the student submits a written appeal using the Academic Appeal Form, together with all supporting evidence, within 30 calendar days of the date of notification. Students are encouraged to consult the Center for Academic Success in preparing the appeal. So that no decision-maker reviews their own decision, an appeal is always heard by an authority other than the one that imposed the contested outcome, as follows:

Academic Appeal

Contested outcome	Originally decided by	Step Two authority (final)
Course or assignment grade (academic judgement)	Faculty member	Dean
Assignment-level integrity sanction (reduced or no credit)	Faculty member	Dean
Course failure imposed as a second-offense integrity sanction	Dean	Vice President for Academics
Course failure, suspension, or dismissal imposed as a third or subsequent offense	Vice President for Academics	Academic Appeals Committee

Decision and Finality

The deciding authority issues a written decision within 30 calendar days of receiving a complete appeal. The decision is final. If an appeal is upheld, any associated grade penalty is reversed, and the record of the offense is expunged from the student’s file.

Records

The Office of Academics maintains the records of all appeals and their outcomes as part of the University’s academic integrity record.