1. Purpose

To ensure academic appeals follow a fair, collegial, consistent, and impartial process.  

2. Procedure

Before initiating a formal academic appeal, students should seek clarification and informal resolution with the employee who made the academic decision (professor, facilitator, or other employee), as soon as possible after the decision was made. Disagreement with the outcome of an academic appeal alone is not sufficient grounds to escalate an academic appeal.

The academic appeal process has two stages.

• Stage 1: An appeal of an academic decision, based on one or more acceptable grounds. Stage 1 academic appeal decisions are made by the Instructor(s) of the course.
• Stage 2: An appeal of the outcome of the Stage 1 appeal. An appeal can only be escalated if the stage 1 appeal did not follow the procedure outlined below, or if new evidence is available. Stage 2 academic appeal decisions are made by the Executive Director - Academic.

Every effort will be made to assess and respond to academic appeals in a timely manner. Procedural timelines are considered guidelines and extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances.

A “business day” is defined as any day in which normal college operations are conducted. Saturday, Sunday, statutory holidays, and other planned or unplanned college closures do not count as business days.

Where possible and if appropriate, efforts will be made to provide students with options to support their academic progression during the appeals process. Students can seek support from a Student Services (studentservices@campbellcollege.ca) during the process, if needed.

2.1 Stage 1 Academic Appeal

Stage 1 academic appeals should be initiated by students in a timely manner, normally within 5 business days of the academic decision. A response to a Stage 1 academic appeals will normally be made within 5 business days.

1. The student reviews the Academic Appeals to determine the grounds for their appeal and collects supporting information.
2. The student submits a Stage 1 Academic Appeal Form to the Instructor(s) of the course.
3. The Instructor confirms receipt to the student and the Executive Director – Academic. The Executive Director - Academic requests that the Instructors provide a response to the appeal.
4. The Executive Director - Academic reviews the grounds for appeal, merit of the appeal, and evidence provided to determine if the academic decision was fair.
   ▪ If the appeal is not timely or does not have a clear basis for the appeal beyond disagreement with the academic decision, it may be dismissed.
   ▪ If additional information is required, the Associate Dean may choose to meet with the student or the employee who made the academic decision.
   ▪ If additional time is needed, the Associate Dean will communicate this to the student, the employee, and the Registrar’s Office.
5. The Executive Director - Academic determines the outcome of the appeals. The possible outcomes are:
   ▪ The academic decision is upheld.
   ▪ The academic decision is modified.
   ▪ The academic decision is overturned.
   ▪ The appeal is dismissed due to the appeal not being timely or due to the appeal not clearly identifying the grounds for the appeal.
6. The Executive Director - Academic responds to the student with the outcome of the appeal.
7. The outcome is recorded, archives the submission, and actions any outcomes related to the student’s academic record, progression, or student status, if applicable.

2.2 Stage 2 Academic Appeal

Disagreement with the outcome of an academic appeal alone is not sufficient grounds to escalate an academic appeal. If the student can clearly demonstrate how the Stage 1 appeal procedure was improperly followed, a Stage 2 academic appeal can be submitted.

Stage 2 academic appeals should be submitted within 5 days of receiving the Stage 1 appeal outcome. Stage 2 academic appeals are normally responded to within 10 business days.

1. The student submits a Stage 2 Academic Appeal Form directly to the Executive Director – Academic, specifying the Stage 1 procedural error or identifying the new evidence.
2. The Executive Director reviews the submission. If the rationale for escalating the appeal is not clear, the appeal will be dismissed.
3. The Executive Director confirms receipt to the student and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Executive Director requests that the CEO provide a response to the appeal.
4. The CEO reviews the merit of the appeal and evidence provided.
   ▪ If additional information is required, the CEO may choose to meet with the student, employee, or Executive Director.
   ▪ If additional time is needed, the CEO will communicate this to the student.
5. The CEO makes a determination. The possible outcomes are:
   ▪ The Stage 1 appeal decision is upheld.
   ▪ The Stage 1 appeal decision is modified.
   ▪ The Stage 1 appeal decision is overturned.
6. The CEO responds to the student with the outcome of the appeal, with a copy to the Executive Director - Academic.
7. The Executive Director - Academic records the outcome, archives the submission, and actions any outcomes related to the student’s academic record, progression, or student status, if applicable.