Academic Appeals Policy
General Academic Decision Appeals Procedure
A student who has a question about an academic decision that does not involve a grade or course substitution should consult the University official responsible for the decision. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may appeal in the following order to the next highest level in the appropriate chain of responsibility: instructor, department chair, dean, and the Educational Policies and Standards Committee (EPSC). Decisions of the EPSC may be appealed to the Provost of the University, but only on the basis of additional evidence unavailable at the hearing, improper procedure, or a sanction inconsistent with the incident. The Provost’s decision is final. The student must initiate all appeals in writing on his or her own behalf no more fourteen (14) business days after the date of the start of the following fall or spring semester. An exception to this time limit is a grade appeal in a pre-licensure program of the Hunt School of Nursing, which must be submitted to the professor within two weeks of the end of the semester.
Denials of Requests for a Course Substitution of a General Education Requirement
A student who has followed the proper procedure for requesting a course substitution of a general education requirement and is dissatisfied with the decision may appeal in the following order to the next highest level in the appropriate chain of responsibility: to the instructor; to the department chair or dean; and the General Education Committee (GEC). Decisions of the GEC may be appealed to the Provost of the University, but only on the basis of additional evidence unavailable at the hearing or improper procedure . The Provost’s decision is final. The student must initiate such appeals in writing on his or her own behalf no more fourteen (14) business days after the start of the following semester (exclusive of summer semesters).
Grade Appeals
A student who has a question about a grade not involving an Honor Code violation should consult the instructor as soon as possible. A student who believes a grade to be inaccurate or unfair may appeal in writing and in the following order to the instructor, department chair, dean, and the Educational Policies and Standards Committee (EPSC). Decisions of the EPSC may be appealed to the Provost of the University, but only on the basis of additional evidence unavailable at the hearing, improper procedure, or a sanction inconsistent with the incident . The Provost’s decision is final. The student must initiate such appeals in writing on his or her own behalf no more fourteen (14) business days after the start of the following semester (exclusive of summer semesters). Email notification of approved and processed grade changes will be sent to the student, the instructor, and the advisor.
Academic Appeal Filing Forms and General Education Requirements Substitution Forms may be obtained from the Forms section of WebbConnect. The appeal document must include the student’s local or permanent address, University email address, student ID number, and a current phone number where he or she may be reached. Furthermore, all appeals must be signed and dated and include a thorough justification for the requested resolution. Appeals made on behalf of the student by another party (e.g., faculty, official of the institution, another student, or a parent) will be dismissed. Supporting documentation submitted by a member of the faculty or administration to augment or clarify the student’s appeal is welcome and will be given full consideration. The Dean of Student Success will assist students with academic appeals if requested.