ACADEMIC APPEALS
All academic appeals by students enrolled in courses shall follow the procedure herein cited:
1. Initial action by the appellant shall be to informally discuss the issue with the faculty person or persons directly involved and, where appropriate, with the School Dean to whom that faculty person reports. Normally, an appeal shall occur within 30 days of the semester in which the issue occurred.
2. If Step 1 does not meet with resolution of the issue, the appellant may present a written appeal to the School Dean and may request a hearing. The Dean's ruling and response shall be in writing with a copy forwarded to the faculty member(s) involved.
3. If Step 2 does not meet with resolution of the issue, the appellant may present a written appeal with supporting documentation to the chair of the Undergraduate or Graduate Council, depending on the level and type of course involved. The council shall then elect a committee of not less than three faculty members to consider the appeal. The chair of the council shall name one of these three to chair the committee. The appellant may request a hearing before this appeal committee. The chair of the appeal committee will respond in writing to the appellant with copies forwarded to the chair of the council and to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Said appeal shall be presented no later than 30 days following receipt of the written response in Step 2.
4. If Step 3 does not meet with resolution of the issue, the appellant may present a written appeal with supporting documentation to the appropriate council. The appellant may request a hearing before the council. Any members of the council directly involved in the case shall be excused from deliberations. The chair (or acting chair) of the council will respond in writing to the appellant informing her/him of the decision of the council. A copy of this response shall be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The decision of the council shall be final. Said appeal shall be presented no later than 30 days following receipt of the written response in Step 3.
5. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall, upon appeal, review decisions at each step to determine if proper procedure has been followed and all evidence impartially reviewed. If discrepancies or impropriety has occurred, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may return the appeal for review and subsequent action to the appropriate step.
Faculty Handbook/Chapter 5/Page 5:8