Academic Appeal
Grounds for Appeal
Students may appeal any academic decision that is arbitrary, capricious, or unfair. For an appeal to have merit, the student must show that the decision was clearly erroneous or that the university failed to follow its policies or rules.
The following do not form a valid basis for an academic appeal:
- Dissatisfaction with a grade or decision
- Poor academic performance as a result of the student’s personal circumstances
- Interference caused by the student’s employment
- Failure to make a timely application for a disability accommodation
- Failure to make a timely application for a withdrawal, including a withdrawal necessitated by illness or injury
At every level the appeal must be in writing and state: (1) the change requested, (2) all valid reasons for the change, (3) any evidence to support the change, and (4) the student's contact information. Appeals must be submitted utilizing the form available on the Registrar’s page of the UMHB website.
Appeals Related to Academic Coursework
An appeal must be submitted to the faculty member who made the decision no later than ten (10) calendar days after the decision. The faculty member shall notify the student of the appeal decision within seven (7) calendar days.
The student may appeal the faculty member’s decision to the dean of that college* (see section below for Mayborn College of Health Sciences appeal process). The appeal must be submitted by the student within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the faculty member’s decision.
The dean (or the dean’s designee) will provide the student a written decision on the appeal within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the appeal.
The student may appeal the dean’s decision by submitting an appeal to the Provost’s Office within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the dean’s decision. The Provost or the Provost’s designee will provide the student a written decision on the appeal within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the appeal. This decision shall be final.
*Appeals in the Mayborn College of Health Sciences
The path for appealing a decision related to academic coursework in the Mayborn College of Health Sciences shall be first to the faculty member, then to the school’s Dean for undergraduate programs (or to the Program Director for graduate programs), and finally to the Executive Dean, who shall serve as the Provost’s designee and whose decision shall be final. Otherwise, the procedures and timelines described in the previous section shall apply.
Timelines
If the student has received no response within seven (7) calendar days after submitting an appeal to the dean or provost’s office, the student may inquire of the appeal recipient about the status of the appeal.
Other Provisions
The Provost’s Office may extend the time for the university to respond to an academic appeal at any level when the appeal requires more extensive review, a school break occurs during the appeal response time, or other extenuating circumstances apply.
If an academic decision affects both a student’s grade in a course and dismissal from a Program because of the grade, the appeal shall take both issues into consideration as a singular appeal.
Faculty who are no longer employed by the University (e.g. retired, adjuncts) are not participants in the appeal process beyond their last day of employment. In such a case the student should begin the appeal at the next level. If the appeal is in progress, the exiting faculty member will pass the appeal to the next administrator in line for completion.
Other Types of Academic Appeals
The procedure for appealing decisions regarding incidents of academic dishonesty is discussed in the Academic Integrity section of this Catalog.
The procedure for appealing decisions related to academic probation and academic suspension are provided to the student in writing when the student is notified of academic probation or academic suspension status.
For academic appeals not otherwise specified in this policy, the student should promptly consult the Provost’s Office for specific information on whether an appeal process is available.