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Academic Appeal Operating Procedure

Academic Appeal Operating Procedure

Approval Date: April 1, 2021
Replaces: Academic Appeal Policy 2020

Purpose

To outline the process by which Academic Appeals are undertaken at Cambrian College (‘the College’) in alignment with the requirements of the Academic Appeal Policy.

Scope

All Academic Appeals.

Operating Procedure

  1. INFORMAL REVIEW

Required Documentation

1. STAGE 1 REVIEW

    1. If a resolution cannot be achieved through the Informal Review or there is additional information that has arisen that was not included in the Informal Review process, the student may choose to initiate a Stage 1 Review.

2. STAGE 2 REVIEW

  1. If a resolution cannot be achieved through the Informal Review or there is additional information that has arisen that was not included in the Informal Review process, the student may choose to initiate a Stage 1 Review.
    1. New information – directly related to the initial issue/Academic Decision – not presented during Stage 1.

3. ACADEMIC APPEAL COMMITTEE HEARING

  1. Students are responsible for presenting their position. However, the student may have one person accompany them to the hearing. Students wishing to have someone accompany them must submit the name of and relationship to the person to the Committee Chair at least 5 business days prior to the hearing.
    • The role of this accompanying individual is to provide support and/or advice to the student during the hearing. The accompanying person is not to present on behalf of the student.
  2. It is expected that the Student and Dean will be present during the hearing and will remain until all information has been heard.
  3. Typically, a hearing will follow these steps:
    1. The Chair will introduce the members of the Academic Appeal Committee and review the format of the meeting along with any ground rules that are appropriate.
    2. The Academic Appeal Committee will ensure that time is provided to cover all points that are relevant to the Academic Appeal.
    3. The student will have an opportunity to state their concerns, speak to any relevant documentation, and clarify the resolution they are seeking.
      • The onus is on the student to demonstrate that the decision should be overturned due to one or more of the allowed grounds for review.
    4. The Dean will have the opportunity to review the reasons for their decision and review any relevant documentation previously submitted.
    5. Witnesses may be called to give a verbal statement(s), subject to determination by the Committee that the additional information will be relevant.
    6. The Dean, student, and Committee members will have the opportunity to question any person(s) providing statements.
    7. Parties will be provided with an opportunity to summarize their positions, based on the materials and any statements provided in the hearing, with the student having the final opportunity to speak.
    8. After ensuring that all relevant information has been presented, the hearing will adjourn.
      • The Committee will caucus in camera to reach a decision.
  4. Upon considering all information, the Committee has the authority to determine the Academic Appeal in one of the following ways:
    1. Direct that the original decision remains unchanged.
    2. Direct that a re-evaluation of the student’s work be completed by another faculty member qualified in the area of study.
    3. Direct that a final grade be changed to ‘I’ (Incomplete) and that the student be allowed to complete specific items of work for a new evaluation by another faculty member qualified in the particular field of study.
    4. Direct that an exited student be reinstated to a program and specify any conditions of that reinstatement.
    5. Direct that an allegation of academic dishonesty be expunged from a student’s record.
  5. The Committee does not have the authority to make any decisions that have financial impacts.

Supporting Documents

Related Policies