Appeals

In well-substantiated special cases, where the interests of the student are at variance with the regulations, the student may submit a documented petition to the program director, the provost or his designee, and the Graduate Program Council.

Process to Reconcile Academic Decisions

If a student wishes to appeal an academic decision of an instructor, he or she must follow the process described below.*

  1. The student is to initiate a discussion with the instructor responsible for the initial decision in question.
  2. The instructor is responsible for documenting the outcome of the discussion with the student. Copies of that document are to be provided to the student and to the program director.
  3. If the student determines that he or she is not satisfied with the outcome and wishes to further pursue the matter, the student is responsible for notifying the instructor and the program director of his or her desire within one week of receipt of the instructor’s communication.
  4. If the student desires further discussion of the matter, he or she is to initiate a discussion with the program director. The role of the program director is to ascertain to the extent possible the facts surrounding the matter and to clarify applicable graduate academic policies. The program director has the option of scheduling a subsequent meeting to include himself or herself, the student, and the instructor. The program director is responsible for documenting the discussion outcome(s). Copies of that document are to be provided to the student and to the instructor.
  5. If the student determines that he or she is not satisfied with the outcome and wishes to further pursue the matter, the student is responsible for notifying the instructor and the program director of his or her desire within one week of receipt of the program director’s communication.
  6. If the student desires further discussion of the matter, he or she is to initiate a discussion with the school dean. The role of the dean is to ascertain to the extent possible the facts surrounding the matter and to clarify applicable graduate academic policies. The dean has the option of scheduling a subsequent meeting to include himself or herself, the student, and the instructor. The dean is responsible for documenting the decision(s). Copies of that document are to be provided to the student, the instructor, and the program director.
  7. If the student desires further discussion of the matter, he or she is to request in writing a meeting with the provost. The student is to present a concise statement of the academic decision in question, his or her perception of the appropriate decision, and the rationale and supporting evidence for this contention. Upon receipt of such notice, the provost shall notify the school dean, the program director, and the instructor of the student’s intent and shall be provided with documentation pertaining to the matter by the program director. The provost shall meet with the student, the instructor, and the program director. The provost shall notify the student, the instructor, the program director, and the dean in writing of his or her decision to maintain or modify the original academic decision.
  8. If the student determines that he or she is not satisfied with the outcome and wishes to further pursue the matter, the student is responsible for notifying the program director of his or her desire to appeal the academic decision to the Graduate Academic Standing Committee within one week of receipt of the provost’s communication. The decision of the Graduate Academic Standing Committee is final.

*If the instructor is the program director of the program in which the student is enrolled, the student will begin this process at Step 4.