Part 1: The student must discuss the reasons for the appeal with the instructor within five working days of receiving the assessment he or she wishes to appeal. If the issue is resolved, the appropriate changes are made by the instructor.

If the issue remains unresolved, the student must discuss the appeal with the program co-ordinator within the next three working days. The co-ordinator will attempt to mediate resolution by meeting with the instructor and student. If the issue is resolved, the appropriate changes will be made by the instructor.

If the issue remains unresolved, the student must submit a written appeal to the office of the dean within three working days of the meeting with the co-ordinator. The dean or designate will review the situation within three working days and determine the next step with the student, the instructor and the co-ordinator. The dean or designate will either uphold the instructor’s decision or suggest other options.

If appealing the decision of an ad hoc review committee, the student must submit a written appeal to the office of the dean within five days of the notification of the committee’s decision.

Part 2: If the student disagrees with the dean’s or designate’s decision, the student must submit a written request within five days to the Office of the Registrar for a review by the College Academic Appeal Panel (CAAP). This request must set out the following:

• The grade, decision or issue being appealed, including relevant dates, the decision
  taken or the conduct which occurred;
• Full details of the grounds on which the appeal is being made, including copies of
  all relevant documents;
• The desired outcome of the appeal.

Once the above has been submitted and it has been determined that a CAAP should be convened, the registrar or designate will select three members (a student, a faculty member and a dean) from program areas other than the student’s. The panel will be chaired by the dean. The registrar or designate will act as a non-voting recording secretary for the panel.

The role of the panel is to formally decide upon a resolution to the appeal in accordance with this procedure. All aspects of the adjudication process will be strictly confidential. The panel will have access to all information available concerning the case, and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The panel will fully review the facts and confer with the panel chair, who will render a decision in a free and unbiased manner. Before the panel meets, the registrar or designate will investigate the appeal situation, collect statements from the individuals involved, prepare a preliminary report for the panel and summarize the essential issues of the case.

The panel will convene within five working days of being selected. All members of the panel are involved in the hearing and the decision. Decisions regarding the outcome of the case and any penalties should be reached by consensus whenever possible. The chair will make the final decision on behalf of the College if consensus is not reached.

The instructor and student may be accompanied by one support person each when meeting with the panel, as long as the support person is identified to the registrar or designate 24 hours prior to the meeting. Witnesses and other concerned individuals may be asked by the chair to provide information to the panel. The instructor and student are responsible for arranging their own support persons and witnesses, and for informing them of the schedule and process to be followed. Support persons, witnesses and those directed by the panel will be the only people allowed to attend the panel sessions, and only as necessary during the hearing.

Decisions will be based on information presented to the panel and will be based on a “balance of probabilities.” Reasons for a decision must be based on the statements found in this procedure. The panel will decide on an outcome to the issue, a resolution process and any penalties to be applied.

The dean in the student’s area and the registrar are responsible for ensuring that the panel’s decisions are enforced. The registrar or designate will communicate the decision of the panel to all parties within two working days of the decision.