Academic Appeal Procedures
1. Statement of Purpose
To secure equitable solutions to problems of an academic nature that affect a student's academic progress.
2. Basis for an Academic Appeal
An academic appeal may be initiated for the following:
- Denial of program completion/graduation
- Academic dismissal from a program
- Appeal an end of semester grade (final grade)
- Denial of program admission, clinical or practicum placement due to disqualifying results on a criminal background check (see separate process below).
Note: Appeals/grievances of a non-academic nature are handled by the Dean of Student Affairs in accordance with the current student grievance procedure.
3. Procedure
- Informal Appeal - This process must be used first. The student and instructor should attempt to resolve the problem on an informal basis whenever possible. If this fails, the student may meet with the instructor and the department chair to resolve the issue. If the issue is not resolved in the informal process, the student may initiate the formal appeal process.
- Formal Appeal - A College Wide Appeal Form must be initiated according to the procedures and timelines listed below:
- Final grade appeals must be initiated by the student within thirty calendar days of the awarding of the grade by the instructor after the semester ends.
- Denial of program completion/graduation or academic dismissal appeals from any program must be initiated within ten calendar days following the notification to the student.
- The student may initiate a formal appeal by submitting a College Wide Appeal Form. Appeals may be submitted outside the timelines indicated above only if documented extenuating circumstances exist. These circumstances must be fully explained in the College Wide Appeal Form and accompanied by supportive documentation. Acceptance of late appeals will be at the discretion of the Instructional Dean.
- The Dean of Instruction will convene an administrative hearing.
- Participants in the administrative hearing will include the student, the instructor, and the Dean of Instruction. If the instructor is unavailable, the department chair will represent the instructor.
- The instructor may submit written statements by other individuals having information regarding the complaint. If a student wishes to submit supporting documentation with their appeal, it must be uploaded with the College Wide Appeal Form before submitting online or it can be submitted to the Welcome Center Desk on campus.
After the hearing, the Dean of Instruction will review all oral and written statements and reach a decision. Students will be notified of the appeal decision via their student issued CCCS email account, accessible through eWOLF within ten calendar days after the hearing. A written notification will also be sent to the instructor.
Petition for Review of Due Process: After the appeals decision by the Dean of Instruction, the student may submit a written request to the campus Vice President for a process review of the appeals proceedings. The Petition for Review must be submitted within ten calendar days of the written notification of the initial decision. Failure to meet the ten-day deadline for a written request for review will result in the initial decision made by the Dean of Instruction being final and not subject to additional review. All decisions of the Vice President are final.
4. Criminal Background Check Appeal Process
To appeal denial of program admission, practicum or clinical placement due to disqualifying results on a criminal background check, the process is as follows:
- Informal Appeal – This process must be used first. If a criminal background check report provides results that may disqualify a student from participating in a program, practicum, or clinical placement, a notification will be sent to the student via certified mail. If the results received on the report are inaccurate or incomplete, the student has 10 calendar days to contact the college to dispute the results. If the results on the background check report are correct, the college representative will discuss the charges or pending charges with the student to collect more information to determine if the charges have a direct relationship to the student’s participation in a program, practicum or clinical setting. If the issue is not resolved in the informal process, the student may initiate the formal appeal process.
- Formal Appeal – To initiate a formal appeal a College Wide Appeal Form must be initiated and include all information/documentation within 5 calendar days of informal appeal discussion with college representative. This appeal will be forwarded to an appeals committee who will make a final determination of program admission, practicum or clinical placement within 5 calendar days. By appealing, the student gives the appeals committee permission to view results of their background check. All decisions of the committee are final.