Administrative Regulation - Due Process (Interim), part B, specifies that in instances when a formal hearing is not required by this regulation, the University will provide due process and an opportunity for that student to be heard before a neutral party. The exact procedures for this notice and opportunity to be heard will vary depending upon context. The following provides the procedures for the appeal of a violation of a student's rights.
- First, schedule a meeting with the course instructor (or relevant University official) to discuss the issue and provide supporting documentation for your perspective.
- If the issue remains unresolved, schedule a meeting with the Program Director or Department Chair. If the department has an established process for resolving academic matters, attempt to resolve the issue through that process.
- If, after meeting with the course instructor and department chair (or attempting to resolve the issue through the departmental process), the issue remains unresolved, request a meeting with the Academic Ombud to share your perspective. The Academic Ombud will, with your permission, attempt to resolve the issue. If the issue remains unresolved, students have the right to appeal to the Academic Appeals Panel.
- If a student decides to appeal, the student will submit a letter to the Academic Ombud describing their perspective of the issue and include supporting documentation. The Academic Ombud will request a response from the Instructor, Program Director, or appropriate University official.
The Academic Ombud will write a memorandum stating whether the appeal has merit and provide you with the case documents.
If the Academic Ombud forwards the case to the Academic Appeals Panel for a hearing, the hearing clerk will schedule a hearing within twenty business days and invite the student and instructor (or appropriate University official) to attend. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. Students, instructors, and appropriate University officials will be notified of the decision.
If the Academic Ombud determines the appeal does not have merit, students have ten business days to appeal the Ombud's determination to the Academic Appeals Panel by contacting the hearing clerk and providing documentation explaining why the Ombud's determination is incorrect.
The Academic Appeals Panel will meet to review the case documents and determine whether to hear the case or allow the Ombud's determination to stand. Students and instructors are not invited to this review. If the Academic Appeals Panel decides the case should be heard, a hearing will be scheduled and the student and instructor (or appropriate University official) will be invited to attend.
The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. Students, instructors, and appropriate University officials will be notified of the decision.
More information is available on the Academic Appeals Panel's process.