Appeals

Grade and Standing

Students can appeal a final grade when they believe they have been unable to resolve course-related issues with their instructors..

Students may appeal an academic standing only when they are Required to Withdraw (RTW), or Permanent Program Withdrawal (PPW) for undergraduate students, Withdrawn, for graduate students, and Failed for law students.

It is the student’s responsibility to raise concerns with their instructor(s) or program administrator about issues related to grades and/or standings as soon as they arise within the term and attempt to informally resolve these issues pro actively.

Before considering an academic appeal of a final grade(s) or academic standing students must clearly indicate where one or more grounds for appeal exist. The four (4) grounds for appeal are:

Course Management;
Extenuating Circumstances;
Procedural Error; and
Prejudice

Students must also be prepared to provide substantive reasons why their current grade or standing is NOT appropriate..

Timespan

Students may appeal their timespan directly to the Senate Appeals Committee (SAC) for a final consideration of their request where :

an extension is denied by the Dean (or designate) or the Program Director, or
where an additional extension is needed after the Dean’s approved timespan extension is completed.

For policy guidelines on Timespan and appeals of Timespan, see Policy (PDF file) 170(a), Section 9.3 and Procedures 13.

Academic Misconduct

Students may only appeal a finding of Academic Misconduct or the penalty assigned for a finding of Academic Misconduct to the Senate Appeals Committee (SAC) after receiving a decision from the Academic Integrity Council (AIC).

The right to this second level of appeal is limited and the onus is on the student to make a case for why the appeal should be heard based on one or more of the following four (4) grounds:

New Evidence: there is new evidence submitted with the Senate package that was not presented at the AIC, RAC, or GAAC hearing and which has a reasonable possibility of affecting the decision.
Substantial Procedural Error: when it is believed there has been a substantial error in how Policy 60: Academic Integrity was applied, which could have affected the decision reached by the AIC, RAC, or GAAC.
Evidence Not Previously Considered: evidence submitted as part of the AIC, RAC, or GAAC package or was stated verbally at the AIC, RAC, or GAAC hearing that was not considered by the panel.
Higher Penalty: if a higher penalty has been assigned by the AIC, RAC, or GAAC than that recommended or assigned by the initial decision maker.

Non-Academic Conduct

The Senate Appeals Committee (SAC) hears appeals of interim measures which include: an extension of a suspension and decisions and/or sanctions assigned by the Executive Director, Student Affairs or Vice-Provost, Students where the assigned sanctions include:

restitution over $500,
de-enrollment,
limitations to future enrollment, NDS, NDW, or expulsion.

Non-Academic Conduct appeals of findings and/or sanctions must be submitted within ten (10) business days of the decision letter being issued.

Appeals of the interim measure of the extension of suspension can be submitted any time after the suspension has been extended beyond the initial ten (10) business days.

Students are responsible for ensuring that a formal appeal is submitted by the deadline dates published in the significant dates calendar, and must adhere to the timelines established in Policy 61: Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct.

Students are responsible for reviewing all pertinent information prior to the submission of a formal Non-Academic Conduct appeal. Incomplete appeals may not be accepted. Appeals for Non-Academic Conduct, must be submitted complete via email to sentate@torontomu.ca

The University is responsible for dealing with student appeals fairly and must adhere to the timelines established in this policy. Students should refer to University significant dates for timelines found at TMU Calendars and Student guides and by referring to the Senate website for detailed information on the necessary documents such as appeal forms, health certificate forms and procedural instructions.

Senate level appeals for Non-Academic conduct should be submitted via email to senate@torontomu.ca