Academic Policies

Appeals Procedure for Academic Matters

Students may appeal academic decisions regarding a grade or other actions resulting from their academic performance. Step I of the Appeal process must be made within ten working days of the occurrence, or receipt of a grade, and must follow the procedures outlined below:

Step I

Students must seek to resolve academic matters informally with the instructor. During the spring/summer session(s), when an instructor may not be available, students may proceed to Step II after an effort is made to communicate with the instructor.

Step II

Students may formalize complaints by completing a Student Appeal form, acquired through the appropriate Associate Dean’s Office. This form includes:

  • The student’s name, student number, address, telephone number and times and dates of availability.
  • The specific complaint.
  • The desired remedy.

The Associate Dean will review the complaint, investigate the facts and send a written decision to the student within ten working days. If both the student and Associate Dean agree, the time limit may be extended.

Step III

If the academic issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, an appeal may be made to the Dean of Instruction. The appeal must be made in writing, including all information given in Step II, within five working days of receipt of the Step II decision. The Dean of Instruction will hear the complaint, investigate the facts and, when possible, convene a hearing of the individuals involved. A written decision will be given within ten working days of the hearing. Certain circumstances may make it impossible to respond within the ten day time limit. If both the student and the Dean of Instruction agree, the time limit may be extended; otherwise a decision will be made on available facts.

Step IV

If the matter is still unresolved, the student must notify the Dean of Student Services in writing, no later than five working days after the Step III decision is rendered. The Dean of Student Services will convene and chair a Hearing Committee within ten working days. The Hearing Committee will have an equal number of faculty, students and administrators. Students have a right to:

  • Hear all statements made about the situation and examine relevant materials, as long as such examination does not violate the Family Rights and Privacy Act or other laws and policies.
  • Question any person or material presented.
  • Present their own cases including supporting material or testimony.
  • Have an advisor or legal counsel present, who will not speak for the student.
  • Tape record the hearing or otherwise make a record of the proceedings.

The Dean of Student Services will complete the process with a final written decision to the student no later than ten working days after the hearing. That decision* is final and concludes the appeal process.

* A review of the decision is conducted by the President and/or designee and may involve legal counsel.

Expedited Process

Occasionally a situation arises which requires more immediate action. Examples include deadlines such as graduation dates, external testing dates, and transfers to other institutions or employment opportunities. The student may request, in writing, an Expedited Process, and if the Dean of Student Services concurs, the following steps will be taken:

Step I

Students must seek to resolve academic matters informally with their instructor. During the spring/summer session(s), when an instructor may not be available, students may proceed to Step II after an effort is made to communicate with the instructor.

Step II

Students may submit a formal Student Appeal form, acquired in the appropriate Associate Dean’s Office, to the Dean of Student Services. The form includes:

  • The student’s name, student number, address, telephone number and times and dates of availability.
  • The specific complaint.
  • The desired remedy.

Both the Dean of Instruction and the Dean of Student Services will confer with all necessary parties in an attempt to resolve the issue. Should the complaint still not be resolved, the Dean of Student Services will convene a hearing consisting of an equal number of faculty, students and administrators. The rules of the hearing will be the same as those expressed in Step IV. Both sides of the dispute will be heard. The Dean of Student Services will complete the process with a final written decision to the student no later than ten working days after the hearing. That decision* is final and concludes the appeal process.

* A review of the decision is conducted by the President and/or designee and may involve legal counsel.