DISCLAIMER:

This flow-chart provides students with an overview of Fleming College’s Academic Appeal process.

Please refer to Fleming College’s Academic Appeals Policy #2-219 and Academic Appeal Operating Procedure #2-219OP for full details

APPEAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

POLICIES

The Academic Appeals Policy is outlined in the Resources Section in ‘MyCampus’ under Policies and Regulations. To view the Policy, click on the link in the side bar titled ‘Policy’ under the Forms section

PROCEDURES

The Academic Appeals Proceedures are outlined in the Resources section in ‘MyCampus’ under Policies and Regulations. To view the Procedures, please click on the link in the side bar titled ‘Procedures’ under the Forms section.

GENERAL TIPS

Be proactive! Speak to your instructor at the first onset of any academic issue or concern that may jeopardize your academic standing / success.

Inform your instructor of any serious external / personal circumstance(s) that may affect your academic progress; should an emergency arise, they will be forewarned and better equipped to provide support to you.
Document everything! Make sure you take meeting notes and maintain a clear line of communication through email conversations with your professor when discussing your academic progress.

Request that your instructor recap any recommendations, discussions, decisions etc., which occurred in-person, to be sent to you in writing. This ensures you have evidence of all of your interactions.

Should you decide to proceed with an appeal be absolutely certain that you have sufficient grounds to appeal before beginning the process.

Submit your appeal on time! You have 10 College business days from when your final grade is released, by the Registrar’s Office, to file a formal appeal with your instructor.
Be sure to act in a professional way at all time when dealing with your academic appeal.

TIPS FOR AN ACADEMIC APPEAL WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Inform your instructor, in advance, if you are going to appeal a grade. This is courteous and allows them adequate time to prepare.

Take time to reflect. While it is understandable that appealing a grade can be stressful (and emotional) it is imperative that you remain polite and professional.

Speak to your SAC representative to get advice and assistance with the appeal process.

Be prepared for your appeal meeting. Why should the instructor consider changing your grade? Look to your rubric, course outline etc. for reasons that you feel your grade was marked unfairly and be certain to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes of the course.

In addition to an electronic submission of your appeal form and supporting documentation, be sure to leave a hard copy of your appeal with your instructor. Your instructor will have 3 College business days to provide a formal response.

TIPS FOR AN APPEAL PANEL

Once you have submitted your Appeal Panel form and supporting documentation, speak with your SAC representative to help prepare you for your Appeal Panel presentation.

You may have your SAC representative with you at the appeal panel to provide support. Be advised while the SAC representative may be present in the room, they may not speak during the proceedings or engage in the appeal panel process in any way.

Prepare evidence that will demonstrate to the panel why your grade is inaccurate or unfair. Be certain to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes of the course.

Stay calm! The Appeal Panel process is not punitive and is not a “trial”. An Appeal Panel is designed to provide a neutral forum for thorough and reflective conflict resolution. Above all the Appeal Panel (faculty, Dean, and other representatives) want to see you succeed as a student.

During your appeal panel speak in a respectful and professional manner. Hostile, accusatory, and defamatory statements are not appropriate.

FAQ’S

Do I need to include supporting documentation with my academic appeal?

Yes, supporting documentation is required to substantiate the grounds for appeal. Please refer to the grounds for appeal for suggested supporting documentation.

How do I appeal a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity falls under the grounds for appeal criteria ‘Merit of Work’. All breaches should be appealed starting at the ‘Appeal to Faculty’ level after release of the final grade for the course in which the breach occurred. In the case of a 2nd or 3rd breach, the process can begin as soon as the decision is received by the student.

What if I would like my mark “bumped” from a 49% to a 50% pass, does this meet grounds for appeal?

Yes and no, see below…
1) Yes, if the student can demonstrate “merit of work” grounds are met, which means there was an assessment that was unfairly or inaccurately graded. Supporting documentation is required and the student must demonstrate they met the learning outcomes of the course.
2) No, if the student can not substantiate with “merit of work” grounds. Requesting that a grade be changed without merit is not appealable.

How do I appeal a PLAR decision?

You would appeal this to the program coordinator through the ‘Appeal to Faculty’ process.

How do I appeal an academic progression decision?

You would appeal this decision directly to the office of the dean of your school of study, bypassing the appeal to faculty level.

How do I appeal a withdrawal from the program decision?

You would appeal this decision directly to the office of the dean of your school of study, bypassing the appeal to faculty level. However, if your withdrawal is the result of a faculty decision, you must initiate at the appeal to faculty level first.

How do I appeal a mark in a specific assignment?

You must wait until the final grades are released by the registrar’s office and then appeal your final mark using ‘merit of work’ as your grounds for appeal and the assignment as your supporting documentation

Forms
- Policies and Procedures
- Grounds
If you need appeal support from SAC fill out the form below
- Appeal Form

APPEALS