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Academic Appeals by Students (A-2)

Original Implementation: August 31, 1981
Last Revision: January 29, 2008

Good communication between faculty and students will make disputes between them infrequent, but if disagreements occur, it is university policy to provide a mechanism whereby a student may formally appeal faculty decisions. When a student uses the appeals procedure, all parties should endeavor to resolve the dispute amicably at as early a stage as possible and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. The faculty member, after considering the outcome of the appeals process, shall retain complete academic freedom to make the final determination on the matter and to assign semester grades.

All materials under consideration at each step will be forwarded to the appropriate parties at the next procedural level. These steps are to be followed when making an academic complaint:

All materials under consideration at each step will be forwarded to the appropriate parties at the next procedural level. These steps are to be followed when making an academic complaint:

  1. In the event of course-related complaints or disputes, the student must first appeal to the instructor for a resolution of the matter and must do so within 30 days after the first class day of the next long semester. Given extenuating circumstances, exceptions to this deadline may be granted.
  2. If a complaint or dispute is not satisfactorily resolved, the student may appeal to the academic chair/director of the academic unit in which the complaint or dispute is centered. If a formal complaint is to be registered, it should be made in writing stating the specific issues. The faculty member will respond with a written statement to the academic chair/director.
  3. If the complaint or dispute is still unresolved after appeal to the academic chair/director, the student or faculty member may appeal in writing to the dean of the academic college in which the complaint or dispute is centered. The dean will notify the faculty member or student of the appeal.
  4. If a resolution of the matter is not reached, the dean may refer the appeal to the college council of the college in which the complaint or dispute is centered. The college council will evaluate the oral and written statements of the student and the faculty member. If the college council does not have at least one student member, the president of the Student Government Association will be asked by the dean to recommend no more than two student representatives from that college to serve for each case. The college council will submit its recommendation to the dean of the academic college.
  5. If a resolution of the matter is not reached, the student or the faculty member may appeal in writing to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The dean's written recommendation in addition to all previous materials will be submitted to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The college council of the college in which the complaint or dispute is centered may serve as an advisory body to the provost and vice president for academic affairs in the appeal process. The provost and vice president for academic affairs will evaluate all previous materials and any additional oral presentations from the student and faculty member.
  6. After making a decision, the provost and vice president for academic affairs will inform the student and all persons involved in the appeal process of the final recommendation of the matter within a reasonable period of time.

 

Cross Reference: Faculty Handbook, Student Handbook and Activities Calendar

Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Contact For Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Forms: None