Student Academic Appeals

(except grade appeals, for which there is a separate procedure)

A student has the right to appeal a variety of academic matters. To file such an appeal, the following procedure will be used:

1. A student seeking to appeal should first discuss the situation with the person with whom s/he has a disagreement, such as the academic advisor, instructor, etc. If the matter is not resolved, the student may file an appeal with the Department Head.

2. To initiate an appeal, the student must submit to the Department Head a written petition that describes the grounds for his or her appeal and any written documentation that is available and relevant. The Department Head shall assign the appeal to a faculty committee. The committee shall consist of 3 randomly selected members of the department such that at least 1 is from ESCI and at least 1 is from EMAT. Any faculty member who was involved in denying the original request is ineligible to serve on the committee. The Department Head is also ineligible to serve on this committee. The composition of the committee will remain confidential unless legally required to be revealed.

3. The departmental appeal shall be conducted in accordance with the following guidelines.

a. Both the student and the relevant faculty member (if applicable) will be afforded the opportunity to address the committee.

b. If oral presentations are made, the committee shall meet separately with the student and the faculty member.

c. The departmental committee shall decide the appeal by majority vote.

d. The committee shall submit its decision in writing to the Department Head. The Department Head shall furnish copies of the committee’s written decision to the student and the relevant faculty member.

e. If the committee denies the appeal, the student may file an appeal with the College of Education Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee (if the student is an undergraduate) or the Graduate School (if the student is a graduate student).

In the event that the appeal is against the Department Head, the Associate Department Head shall fulfill all duties noted above as being the responsibility of the Department Head.