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Academic Appeals Procedures

The academic appeals process is the means by which a student may ask for a review of an academic probation or dismissal decision. Students may appeal a decision if they can provide new information or if they feel the records do not accurately reflect the situation. Any student placed on academic probation or dismissed from a program will receive a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School. The email will outline the program’s recommendation, and provide the student with information on how to appeal the decision by following the procedure outlined below.

In the case of academic probation, the student may experience a suspension in their funding or may be unable to register for future courses depending on department recommendations. Academic rights may be restored retroactively depending on the outcome of the appeal. To follow due process, stakeholders (i.e. students, instructors, program coordinators, graduate dean, dean of faculty, school directors) will be involved in the appeals process as appropriate.

Students may contact the assistant dean for graduate education for general information about academic appeals procedures or the Office of the Ombuds for additional resources.

Procedures for Academic Appeals Within the Program (Phase 1)

  1. Student. To initiate the appeals process, the student must complete an Initial Appeal Form and submit it electronically along with supporting documentation to the program director within 10 school days upon receipt of the email. Supporting documentation may include copies of email correspondence, samples of student work and completed assignments, medical documents, or other records related to extenuating circumstances that impacted the student's performance.
  2. Program Director. Upon receipt of the student's written appeal, the program has up to 5 school days to respond to the appeal by scheduling a meeting involving all relevant stakeholders (i.e. student, instructor, advisor, program director). At any meeting, students may bring someone to accompany them through the process. A meeting agenda must be sent to the student at least 1 school day prior to the meeting. A Program Review Form must be completed, and all documentation must be sent to the Dean of the Graduate School and the School Director electronically within 5 school days following the meeting.

Procedures for Appeals to the Graduate School (Phase 2)

If the program director denies the student's appeal and the graduate student feels that their treatment within the program was arbitrary and capricious or that processes were not followed correctly within the program, the student may pursue the appeal with the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School. The student initiates the appeal by submitting a Dean's Appeal Form with the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School including a statement of the desired outcome of the Phase 2 appeal. This form must be filed within 5 school days after the program’s decision to deny the initial appeal.

Upon receipt of the student's appeal, the Dean's office has 10 school days to review the student's documentation and statement. In rare occasions, the Dean may appoint a committee (e.g. 2 graduate faculty and 1 graduate student) in consultation with the Chair of CGE to review the appeal and offer guidance. The Dean will determine the final outcome of the appeal and inform the student of the decision with an official letter via email.