S3 – Student Appeals

Policy Owner: Vice President, Academic
Approver: Senior Academic Committee
Effective: January 3, 2023
Replaces: June 20, 2014

See the S3 – Student Appeals Procedures ›

1.0  Preamble

1.1

RRC Polytech strives to ensure that decisions affecting a Student’s academic career are reached in a manner that is fair and timely. The College supports open communication as a best means for resolving concerns. A transparent appeals process is in place for certain types of situations where informal resolution has been unsuccessful.

2.0 Purpose

2.1

This Policy and its associated Procedures establish the types of decisions that may be appealed by Students, including certain academic evaluations and disciplinary decisions. The Policy and Procedures outline the process through which a Student may seek the review of such an evaluation or decision, including the steps and general timelines. The purpose of the Policy and Procedures is to provide transparency in terms of the approach that is used when a review of an evaluation or decision contemplated by this Policy is undertaken.

3.0  Application and Scope

3.1

The Policy applies to all Students at the College, whether in credit or credit non-programming.

3.2

The Policy applies to the following types of evaluations/decisions by a College Authority that impact a Student’s academic career:

1. academic assessments (i.e., “grade appeals”);
2. findings of academic integrity breach and non-academic misconduct or breach, in limited circumstances as set out herein;
3. certain types of disciplinary decisions resulting from instances of academic integrity breach and non-academic misconduct or breach;
4. determinations regarding academic accommodations;
5. determinations regarding recognition of prior learning (“RPL”); and
6. other types of decisions made by a College Authority under College Policy, which, in the opinion and at the sole discretion of the Executive Director, Academic have a significant impact on a Student’s academic career and should be subject to review.

3.3

Not all decisions are appealable. There is no appeal available for the following types of decisions:

1. removal from class or campus for the duration of the day;
2. oral or written reprimand;
3. the implementation of a Behavioural Contract;
4. academic probation or academic program suspension issued as a result of a Student’s GPA in accordance with Policy A22 – Academic Standards.

4.0  Definitions

4.1 Academic Assessment

Refers to all methods of assessing a Student’s knowledge, skills and abilities acquired prior to (in the case of RPLs) or during their studies. These include graded assignments, tests, pass/fail evaluations, graded evaluations of experiential learning, etc.

4.2 Academic Manager

Refers to the Academic Chair, Program Manager or Regional Campus Manager, as the case may be.

4.3 Academic integrity breach

Is an action that does not demonstrate Academic Integrity and includes any behavior that does not allow the College to fairly evaluate a student’s knowledge, skills and abilities in relation to admissions, assigned course work or assessment. An academic integrity breach can occur during activities related to the admissions process, receiving academic credentials or representing academic accomplishments, or any other academic activity or as defined in Policy S4 – Academic Integrity, as amended from time to time from time.

4.4 Accommodation

Has the same meaning as in Policy A28 – Academic Accommodation.

4.5 Appeal

Refers to a Student’s request, in accordance with this Policy, to have a matter reviewed by a designated College Authority.

4.6 Appellant

Refers to the Student appealing a decision of the College in accordance with the Policy.

4.7 Balance of probabilities

Is the standard of proof is civil matters, such as a workplace or administrative investigation. It means that a set of facts is more likely than not to have occurred.

4.8 Behavioural Intervention Team (“BIT”)

Is a multidisciplinary team at the College responsible for evaluating appropriate measures in relation to “at risk” students as defined in Policy S5 – At-Risk Students.

4.9 College Authority

Refers to the individual who has been given authority by the College to make certain decisions in the course of their duties. For example, in the matter of a grade appeal, the College Authority issuing the original grade would usually be the course In a disciplinary matter, the College Authority might be the Academic Manager or Dean imposing discipline as a result of a finding of non-academic misconduct. In an Appeal, the College Authority reviewing the matter may be the appropriate Dean.

4.10 Decision

Refers to the decision by a College Authority that the Student seeks to appeal.

4.11 Discipline

Refers to a disciplinary action implemented by a College Authority in accordance with College Policy S2 – Student Discipline or Policy S1 – Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

4.12 Grade appeal or academic assessment appeal

Refers to an appeal of grade awarded in the course of an academic evaluation. Grade appeals are conducted in accordance with these Procedures.

4.13 Non-academic misconduct or breach

Refers to actions that are contrary to the College’s behavioural expectations for Students, including the non-academic responsibilities of Students set out in Policy S1 – Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities. Examples of non-academic misconduct or breach include, but are not limited to:

1. threatening or violent behaviour towards a College community member (including verbal, written or online threats);
2. conduct or comments amounting to discrimination, harassment or sexual violence as set out in Policy H1 – Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment (“RWLE”) Policy and/or the Policy G5 – Sexual Violence;
3. obnoxious behaviour, including abusive or vulgar language or gestures directed at a member of the College community;
4. theft or willful damage to College property or the personal property of College community member;
5. disregard of Safety and Health procedures and practices or the intentional creation of safety hazards;
6. possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and/or narcotic substances on campus or other College facilities unless medically authorized;
7. disruption or obstruction of regular or organized College activities.

4.14 Recognition of prior learning (“RPL”)

Refers to a set of processes that allow individuals to document, be assessed and gain recognition for their prior learning. The focus is on the learning rather than where or how the learning occurred. Knowledge, skills and abilities gained from life experiences may be formal, informal or non-formal. RPL decisions are reached in accordance with College Policy A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning.

4.15 Student

For the purposes of this Policy, refers to an individual who:

1. is a current Student at Red River College Polytech;
2. has previously studied at RRC Polytech within the last 12 months.

5.0 Policy

5.1

Students have a right to appeal certain types of evaluations or decisions that affect their academic career. The right to an appeal is not automatic. All appeals are considered in accordance with the Policy as its associated Procedures.

5.2

An appeal request by a Student must be made in the prescribed form, and within the stipulated timeframe as set out in the Procedures. Timelines are provided to facilitate a timely resolution to issues. Extensions may be granted at the College’s discretion, where there are extenuating circumstances.

5.3

Appeals will be conducted in a manner that is procedurally fair. Procedural fairness is contextual, and involves the following key components:

1. Notice: a Student whose rights are affected by a decision shall be informed of the matter;
2. Opportunity to be heard: the Student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to have their perspective heard and considered (in writing or orally, as the case may be, at the discretion of the decision-maker and in accordance with the Procedures);
3. Impartial decision-maker: the decision-maker shall act in a manner than is fair, unbiased and open-minded;
4. Reasons for decision: the Student shall be informed of the decision reached, and the reasons for the decision.

5.4

All Appeals will be reviewed in accordance with the Policy and applicable Procedures.

5.5

Appeals falling outside the scope of the Policy or associated Procedures will not proceed.

5.6

As set out in the Procedures, some appeal types may be subject to a deposit or fee payable to the office of the Registrar.

5.7

Decisions rendered in accordance with this Policy are final. There is no further avenue of appeal within the College.

6.0 Responsibilities

6.1

The College is responsible for ensuring there is an appropriate mechanism for resolving concerns related to decisions affecting a Student’s academic career. Various College personnel and departments are delegated the authority under this Policy to implement and manage the appeals process on behalf of the College.

6.2

College Authorities are responsible for discharging their duties in a manner that is fair and professional.

6.3

Students wishing to make an Appeal or engaged in the appeals process must abide by the conditions set out in this Policy and the applicable Procedures. Students making an Appeal should review the appeal Procedures that apply to their situation to ensure their Appeal complies with the necessary specifications (such as use of the proper form, awareness of timelines for initiating an Appeal, any deposits or fees required, etc.).

7.0  Procedures

7.1

The Procedures developed in accordance with the S3 – Student Appeals Policy set out the procedural steps followed for the type of appeal. The Executive Director, Academic or their designate has the authority to develop Procedures for:

1. appeals related to instances of academic integrity breach and non-academic misconduct or breaches;
2. appeals related to academic assessments or grades;
3. appeals related to academic accommodations;
4. appeals related to recognition of prior learning (“RPL”) decisions.

7.2

All parties to an appeal must follow the applicable Procedures.

8.0 Review Schedule

8.1

This Policy will be reviewed and updated as required within five years of its approval date.

9.0 Related Documents Procedures

Student Appeals Procedures

Policies

S4 – Academic Integrity

A28 – Academic Accommodation

S1 – Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities

S2 – Student Discipline

A14 – Recognition of Prior Learning

H1 – Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment

G5 – Sexual Violence

Other Related Documents

Student Appeal Guide