Appeals and Petitions

Student Petitions and requests for exception

A student who believes that a regulation of the College of Graduate Studies has adversely affected their academic progress may seek relief by submitting a written petition. The petition must clearly outline the circumstances and must be endorsed by the student’s academic advisor.

All petitions should be directed to the Policies and Petitions Committee (PPC), submitted in care of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The PPC is composed of six graduate faculty members and is chaired by the Dean, who serves as a non-voting member except in cases requiring a tie-breaking vote.

Grade Appeals

Faculty members are expected to assign grades with accuracy, fairness, and due consideration of all relevant academic factors. Final grades should reflect the student’s performance in accordance with clearly defined course requirements, and instructors are responsible for thoroughly reviewing all grading components prior to submission. Requests to change a final grade are considered only under exceptional circumstances.

Grounds for Appeal

Students may appeal a final grade when there is documented evidence that:

  • The instructor did not have access to relevant information or documentation at the time the grade was assigned.
  • A miscalculation or clerical error occurred in the assignment of the grade.
  • A grade of “I” (Incomplete) was issued, and the student has completed the required coursework in accordance with University policy.

   Grade appeals must be initiated within one year of the semester in which the grade was awarded.

  Procedure for Filing a Grade Appeal

  1. Initial Contact
    The student must first consult with the instructor who assigned the grade, presenting any relevant documentation to support the appeal. If the instructor is no longer employed by the University, the student may contact the department chair for assistance.

  2. Department Review
    If the issue is not resolved at the faculty level, the student may escalate the matter to the instructor’s department chairperson.

  3. College Appeal
    If resolution is not achieved at the department level, the student may submit a formal written appeal to the Dean of the College in which the course was offered. The appeal must include a detailed explanation and supporting documentation. The Dean will refer the appeal to the College Grade Appeal Committee for review.

  4. Committee Recommendation and Dean’s Decision
    The College Grade Appeal Committee will review the case and make a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean will issue one of the following dispositions:

    • Appeal Denied: The original grade remains unchanged.

    • Appeal Upheld: The matter is remanded to the instructor and department chair for reconsideration. The final decision at that level will be reported to the Dean and considered final.

  5. University-Level Review (if unresolved)
    If the student remains dissatisfied after the College-level review, a final written appeal may be submitted to the Policies and Petitions Committee (PPC), chaired by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The PPC will conduct a review and render a final decision.

Policies and Petitions Committee (PPC) Policies and Procedures

I. PURPOSE AND DUTIES

Purpose

The purpose of the Policies and Petitions Committee (PPC) is to deliberate requests for exceptions to academic policies for graduate students in the areas of academic suspensions, time limits for the completion of degree requirements, and general student appeals. Both the Academic Credits Committee (ACC) and the PPC will provide a report on the types and dispositions of cases to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Duties

The PPC is charged with the following duties and responsibilities:

  1. Providing adjudication and disposition on academic suspensions, and other academic matters, including (but not limited to) the following:
  2. The time limit for the completion of degree requirements 1
  3. Reinstatement of students
  4. Admission to Candidacy
  5. Removal of "I" grades
  6. Transfer Credit
  7. Monitoring and making recommendations to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) relative to academic policy and procedure.

II. COMPOSITION

PPC is a group organized under the auspices of the Graduate Dean and Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Committee is composed of two graduate faculty members from each of the colleges that has a graduate program. The Dean of the College of Graduate Studies serves as Chairperson of this Committee. The Dean, as chairperson, votes on cases and issues only to break a tie vote.

III. MEETINGS

The PCC meetings are held at least twice during the semester; however, on certain issues, the Committee members are sent electronic information and are requested to vote on the matter. All members are informed of the decision prior to informing the student. Minutes of the meetings are housed in the Office of the Graduate Dean.

IV. DISPOSITIONS

The PPC renders dispositions based on students' appeals for exceptions to established University policy. Each appeal is considered based on its individual merit, and exceptions are granted only if documentation clearly demonstrates at least one of the following:

  1. Sanctions or other negative decisions based on incorrect or missing information;
  2. Extraordinary circumstances beyond the student's control; or
  3. Situations where there is malfeasance on the part of the University.

The dispositions of PPC are the final recourse for students, i.e., students may not appeal to any other authority at the University. However, PPC decisions may be reviewed by the Provost, who has the authority to reconvene PPC if additional information relative to a case becomes available after a disposition is rendered. PPC decisions are communicated to students via a letter from the Dean of Graduate Studies with copies to the student's dean and department chairperson as well as the Office of the Registrar.

Members of the PPC must recuse themselves from deliberation on any case in which they have direct or indirect involvement, including familial relationships, personal ties to the appellant, or any other connection which might pose a conflict of interest.

Minutes of the proceedings of the PPC are completed by the committee's recorder; hard copies are maintained in the Office of the Graduate Dean in accordance with the University's record retention policy. A summary of dispositions of the PPC shall be submitted annually to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.