Academic Appeals Policy

1. Purpose 

A just learning environment gives students the right to question academic decisions in a respectful manner, with the assurance of a fair, collegial, consistent, and impartial process.   

Loyalist College believes that learning is a shared responsibility between students, employees, and the institution. All learning partners participate actively in the learning process and uphold the values of mutual respect, integrity, and fairness. 

Through this lens of these values, this policy provides guidance related to the assessment and resolution of academic appeals.  

2. Application 

This policy applies to all students at Loyalist College and all employees who participate in the student learning process and the administration of academic appeal procedures.   

This policy does not apply in situations where a more appropriate college policy or procedure or appeal process exists, including but not limited to: discrimination and harassment; sexual violence; and student conduct. 

3. Definitions 

Academic Activities: All activities which fulfil requirements for courses or programs. These activities include both graded and ungraded exercises, including but not limited to quizzes, tests, exams, assignments (individual and group), presentations, and experiential learning opportunities. 

Academic Decision: A determination made by an employee (faculty, staff, administrator) in the academic division acting in accordance with academic policies and procedures.  

Student: A person who is enrolled, or is in the process of enrolling, in a program or a course, on a full-time or part-time basis. 

4. Policy  

Loyalist College is committed to providing students with an academic environment where learning is objectively assessed using evidence-based teaching and learning methodologies and where academic decisions are made in a manner that is free of bias, prejudice, unfairness, or other inappropriate personal or systemic influences. 

Employees in the academic division are expected to exercise appropriate professional judgement in making decisions about the performance and progression of students, which reflect students’ academic abilities and accomplishments. Academic decisions are presumed accurate and appropriate.  

Students should speak to their faculty member as soon as possible if they have any concerns regarding an academic decision to seek clarification and informal resolution. If resolution is not reached, it is the responsibility of the student to initiate an academic appeal in a timely manner and to demonstrate, in detail, the rationale and grounds for the appeal. 

• 4.1 Grounds for Appeals 
  • Grounds for academic appeals do not include disagreement with an academic decision. The appeal must be based on one or more of the following grounds: 
    • Merit of work: An academic decision that does not accurately reflect a student’s demonstrated abilities, actions or achievements, including academic integrity decisions. 
    • Inconsistency in course management: A departure from the course outline or from policy AOP 224 Evaluation of Student Performance that negatively affects the student’s academic performance. 
    • Unfair treatment: Perceived unfair treatment of a student in comparison to the treatment of other students within the course that negatively impacts a student’s performance. 
    • Mitigating factor: Extenuating circumstances that were not accommodated or a consideration which reduces the severity of the outcome. 
    • Procedural error: A belief an academic policy was improperly applied or not followed, or a final grade was miscalculated. 
  • Appeals which are not timely, which are not based on acceptable grounds, or which are submitted without appropriate documentation or supporting evidence may be dismissed. 

5. Related Documents  

• ACAD 207 Academic Appeals Procedure
• ACAD 206 Academic Integrity Policy 
• AOP 224 Evaluation of Student Performance