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2. Appealable Actions and Decisions

     
     
 

A student/applicant may appeal


 

a. the assignment of grades on substantive grounds

   
 

b. the assignment of grades on procedural grounds

   
 

c. enrolment decisions on substantive grounds

   
 

d. enrolment decisions on procedural grounds

   
 

e. decisions on the evaluation and assessment of
    transfer credits

   
 

f. the application of institutional policies or procedures

   
 

g. appeals arising from the Academic Misconduct Policy, as
    amended from time to time.

   
 

h. any other decision made by or on behalf of Athabasca
    University that affects the student's academic progress.


     
3. Appeals Process for Assignment of Grades

A student may appeal any grade assigned to essays, examinations, and assignments, or exercises that contribute to the final grade. Appeals of both failing and passing grades will be considered.

The student shall determine the grounds for his/her appeal and follow the procedures outlined in the appropriate section (see Section 3.1 and 3.2 below). If the letter of appeal is initially misdirected, the Program Director or Chair of the Student Academic Appeals Committee shall redirect the appeal to the other officer. Where there is disagreement as to which procedures should be followed, the Chair of the Student Academic Appeals Committee shall make the final decision.

The appeal of a grade, and subsequent remarking, will result in one of three possible outcomes:

1. the grade remains the same

2. the grade is raised, or

3. the grade is lowered.

Note: Reference to a Program Director means the director of the program of study in which the student is enrolled. In the case of an unclassified student, the director of the program in which the course in question resides will be assigned by the Vice-President, Academic to administer the appeal. If any question arises as to the appropriate Program Director, the Vice-President, Academic will decide.


     
3.1 Appeals on Substantive Grounds


     
3.1.1 A student who is dissatisfied with a grade must contact the tutor or instructor to discuss the grade and material in question before making an appeal. Such contact must be made within one (1) month of receiving the grade.


     
3.1.2 At the request of either the student or the tutor, or both, the examination, essay, or assignment may be submitted to the course professor, or other competent marker as determined by the Centre Chair in cases where the initial mark is assigned by the course professor, with a written request that it be remarked. This request must be made within one (1) month of the student's original complaint. The student will be advised of the result of the remarking within one (1) month of his/her request.


     
3.1.3 After this procedure has been followed, a student who is still dissatisfied may appeal in writing to the Program Director within one (1) month of receiving the second marking, specifying in detail the reasons for making a further appeal and enclosing all additional information or documentation he/she wishes considered.


     
3.1.4 The Program Director shall review the case, consulting with staff, faculty, the student concerned, or other persons as he/she considers appropriate, providing it is practical to do so. The Program Director shall inform the student, in writing, of the decision within one (1) month of receiving the appeal. The Program Director's decision of an appeal on academic grounds shall be final. A copy of the correspondence shall be sent to the Office of the Registrar and kept in the student's file.


     
3.1.5 The student's final grade on the examination, essay, or assignment will be the most recently assigned grade.


     
3.2 Appeals on Procedural Grounds


     
3.2.1 A student may appeal on procedural grounds the assignment of a grade by submitting a letter of appeal to the Chair of the Student Academic Appeals Committee within one (1) month of receiving the grade.


     
3.2.2 The Chair shall present the student's letter of appeal to the Committee for consideration and decision. The committee shall review the case, consulting with staff, faculty, the student concerned, or other persons as it considers appropriate, providing it is practical to do so. The Chair shall inform the student, in writing, of the committee's decision within one (1) month of receiving the appeal. The decision of the committee shall be final. A copy of the correspondence will be kept in the student's file.

 

 


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 • Information effective Sept. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2009.
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