St. Lawrence College is committed to fairness and requires adherence to policy in decisions affecting students.
Academic appeals provide a mechanism for reasonable review of academic decisions. St. Lawrence College is responsible for maintaining standards that promote academic integrity and student success. The St. Lawrence College Academic Appeals Policy is based upon the concept of collegiality and seeks to find common ground and build consensus leading to a mutually satisfactory resolution. Should a student perceive that their learning experience or an academic decision has not been fair or accurate, the faculty and staff share a common interest in resolving the dispute in a professional, transparent and timely manner through the academic appeal process outlined in this policy. A student may appeal an academic decision when the grounds for appeal outlined in this policy are met.
An academic appeal is initiated, and considered launched, by submitting the completed Academic Appeal Form to the faculty who made the decision. SRRO@sl.on.ca needs to be copied on this email. It is highly recommended that you meet with the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO) prior to initiating your appeal for review, guidance, and support. The SRRO can be reached at srro@sl.on.ca
The Academic Appeal process at St. Lawrence College includes three levels:
To launch an appeal, download and complete the Academic Appeal Form. A meeting with the SRRO prior to appeal submission to review the appeal is highly recommended. Once you have met with the SRRO, you will send the completed form to your faculty member, coping SRRO, requesting an appeal meeting.
The student and faculty must meet face-to-face (can be via video or telephone) to review the academic decision in question. An Appeal Advisor, such as the Student Rights & Responsibilities Officer, may be present if requested by both parties. This meeting and decision are documented on the Academic Appeal Form.
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the Level 1 meeting, they may pursue a Level 2 Academic Appeal. Within 2 business days from receiving the faculty’s decision, the student must contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO@sl.on.ca) to determine if the appeal meets the criteria to proceed. An administrative fee of $25 will be charged. Within 5 business days an Assigned Dean from outside the student’s Academic School will hear the level 2 appeal. The Assigned Dean may approach professors, staff, students, placement supervisors, preceptors, or others who can contribute information to assist in the decision making or resolution of the appeal. The Assigned Dean may meet with others either separately or as a group, to hear and discuss the appeal.
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the Level 2 appeal, Level 3 of the appeal process provides an opportunity for a review of the level 1 and Level 2 procedures and ensures that these decisions conform to the College’s academic policies. The Level 3 Appeal Committee is made up of administration, faculty, and students, all trained in the Academic Appeal Procedure. The Appeal Advisor attends this meeting with the student; the student may also invite a support person. Decisions of the Level 3 Appeal Committee are final and binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Timelines for the appeal process vary by appeal level. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are following the timelines stated. A meeting with the SRRO prior to submission of your appeal and throughout the process is recommended. The SRRO can inform you of the timeline and review your appeal. Please note that review meetings with the SRRO are mandatory for Level 2 and 3 appeals. Level 1 meetings are strongly recommended.
An administrative fee will be charged at Level 2 of the Academic Appeal Procedure. The fee will be refunded to the student in the event that the academic appeal is granted.
Students will need to complete the Academic Appeal Form, and provide any documents which may support the appeal. It is important that students provide all important detail in their appeal statement, contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities Officer if you need assistance with completing this form.
Please contact the SRRO for guidance and support prior to submission of the academic appeal form to faculty. Contact the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office at SRRO@sl.on.ca
Hours: Monday- Friday 8am-4pm