Academic Appeal Policy

The kinds of academic decisions that are eligible for appeal are:

• An individual academic decision (e.g. a grade you received on an assignment, quiz, exam etc.)
• An academic decision that does not have a numeric grade (e.g. Grade/No Grade, Requirements Met/Requirements Not Met, Pass/Fail)
• An academic decision pertaining to probation or withdrawal

You cannot appeal final grades (i.e. your final grade in a course), or grades that were posted/released more than 5 business days ago.

If your group project/assignment was graded individually (i.e. group members were assessed separately), you can appeal your grade without the consent of your group members.

If you were graded as a group (i.e. all group members received the same grade for a project/assignment), all group members must agree to pursue an appeal and sign the appeal form. Appeals launched by one member of a group project without the consensus of all members will not be accepted.

It can be upsetting to receive a lower grade than expected, especially if you worked or studied hard. However, being disappointed with the grade you received is not an eligible reason, on its own, to submit an academic appeal.

There are only three acceptable reasons (“grounds”) for submitting an academic appeal. The reason(s) for your appeal must fall in at least one of these three categories and be clearly explained in your appeal submission:

1. Merit of work (e.g. you feel that your work has been unfairly graded, and can show/explain why. This category also includes appeals related to allegations of academic misconduct.)
2. Personal or compassionate reasons (e.g. you experienced an unforeseen significant event or circumstance that impacted your ability to succeed)
3. Course outline and/or testing discrepancy (e.g. what was on the test/assessment wasn’t taught in class, or a policy or course outline wasn’t followed)

Unsure if your reason meets these grounds? Consult with the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (SRRO) before appealing: SRRO@sl.on.ca.

Important Note: If the reason you wish to appeal is related to medical or disability-related accommodations (e.g. if your accommodations were not properly applied, or if the reason you were not successful was related to an injury, illness or medical condition), the appeal process will be suspended and referred to Student Wellness & Accessibility for review.

The Academic Appeal process at St. Lawrence College includes three levels. Respect and procedural fairness are central to the process at every level.

Level 1: Faculty Review
The first level of the Academic Appeal process involves a dialogue between the student and the faculty member who made the academic decision in question. The student begins the process by submitting the Academic Appeal Form to the relevant faculty member and the SRRO within 5 business days of the decision being delivered in writing. Within 5 business days of submitting the form, the student and faculty member meet face-to-face (either in-person or online) to review the academic decision and the student’s concern(s). A representative of the SRRO may attend as a neutral third party if requested. Following this meeting, the faculty member issues a decision within 2 business days.

Level 2: Formal Review
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of their appeal at Level 1, they may request that their appeal be escalated to Level 2, which is a more structured and formal review. The student must contact the SRRO to request a Level 2 appeal within 2 business days of receiving the Level 1 decision. If the SRRO determines the appeal meets the criteria to proceed, an administrative fee of $25 is charged. A Dean or Associate Dean from outside the student’s academic program/school is assigned to hear the student’s appeal, meeting separately or as a group with the student, the SRRO, the faculty member, or other relevant parties. Following this meeting, the assigned Dean issues a decision within 2 business days.

Level 3: Procedural Review
The final level of the Academic Appeal process can be initiated if there was a substantial procedural error during the Level 2 appeal, and the sanctions upheld at Level 2 are perceived to be unreasonable. The student must contact the SRRO to request a Level 3 appeal within 2 business days of receiving the Level 2 decision. If the SRRO determines the appeal meets the criteria to proceed, a committee is assembled to hear the student’s appeal. Decisions of the Level 3 Appeal Committee are final and binding.

Questions about the process? Contact the SRRO: SRRO@sl.on.ca

Before submitting an academic appeal, make sure you have clear answers for the following questions:

• What specific academic decision do you want to appeal?
• What is the outcome you would like?
• Is this academic decision eligible for appeal? (See above: “What kinds of decisions can I appeal?”)
• Did you receive notice of the academic decision within the last 5 business days?
• Does your reason for appeal fit within the acceptable grounds outlined in the Academic Appeals Policy? (See above: “What are eligible reasons for submitting an academic appeal?”)
• Do you have any documentation to support your appeal?

Important Note: If you decide to appeal, it will be your responsibility to meet all timelines and attend all scheduled meetings. If you do not, your appeal will be considered abandoned and the process is complete.

To initiate a Level 1 academic appeal:

1. Reach out to the SRRO to confirm your appeal is eligible and ask any questions you have about the process: SRRO@sl.on.ca.
2. Complete the first section of the Academic Appeal Form (page 1 and 2), including your information, the grounds on which you are appealing the decision, and your desired outcome.
3. Gather any supporting documentation to accompany your appeal.
4. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation via email to the faculty member who made the academic decision within 5 business days of it being delivered. This email should note that you are requesting an appeal meeting. Please copy SRRO@sl.on.ca on this email.
5. Organize a meeting with your faculty member within 5 business days of submitting the appeal form.
6. Attend the meeting with your faculty. You and your faculty member may request that a representative of the SRRO attend this meeting as a neutral third party.

Following this meeting, you will receive a written decision from the faculty member within 2 business days. If the appeal is granted, the process is complete. 

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Level 1 appeal, contact the SRRO within 2 business days of receiving the Level 1 decision to request an appeal at Level 2.

The SRRO will review your appeal, the Level 1 faculty response, and any relevant policies or supporting documents to determine whether your appeal meets the criteria to proceed to Level 2. If your appeal does not meet the criteria, the appeal process is complete.

If the SRRO determines that your appeal is eligible to proceed, you will pay the $25 fee, sign Section B of the Academic Appeal form, and the SRRO will coordinate a Level 2 appeal meeting with an assigned Dean from outside your academic program/school. The assigned Dean may approach professors, staff, students, placement supervisors, preceptors, or others who can contribute information to assist in their decision-making.

Following this meeting, you will receive a written decision from the assigned Dean within 2 business days. If the appeal is granted, the Level 2 fee will be refunded and the process is complete.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Level 2 appeal, contact the SRRO within 2 business days of receiving the Level 2 decision to request an appeal at Level 3.

The SRRO will determine whether your appeal meets the criteria to proceed to Level 3. A Level 3 appeal can only be initiated if there was a substantial procedural error during the Level 2 appeal, and the sanctions upheld at Level 2 are perceived to be unreasonable or disproportionate. If your appeal does not meet the criteria, the appeal process is complete.

If the SRRO determines that your appeal is eligible to proceed, you will sign Section C of the Academic Appeal form, and the SRRO will coordinate a Level 3 appeal hearing with an Appeal Committee made up of administration, faculty and students from outside your academic program/school.

Following this hearing, you will receive a written decision from the Appeal Committee within 3 business days. The Level 3 decision is final and binding, and if the appeal is granted, the Level 2 fee will be refunded.

• You are encouraged to meet with the SRRO prior to submitting an appeal. The SRRO can advise whether your appeal is eligible, help you prepare for the appeal meeting, and answer any questions you have about the process. Reach out at SRRO@sl.on.ca.
• It is your responsibility as a student to substantiate (prove) your reasons for the appeal, following the guidelines in the Academic Appeals Policy.
• It is also your responsibility to meet all timelines and attend all scheduled meetings. If you do not, your appeal will be considered abandoned and the process is complete.
• It is expected that both parties will make reasonable efforts to resolve the appeal at Level 1 of the process.
• During the appeal meeting, remain calm and professional. When you behave unprofessionally, you hinder your own appeal.
• You may choose to have a support person in attendance at any meeting, as long as you give notice to the SRRO in advance. A support person cannot advocate for you or speak on your behalf.
• You may continue to attend classes/enroll in new courses while an appeal is ongoing. 

• Click here for a visual of the appeal process.