Students have the right to appeal academic or programmatic decisions, including course grades, academic probation, progression decisions, or program dismissal. The purpose of the appeals process is to ensure that decisions are reviewed fairly and in accordance with program and university policies.
An appeal must be submitted in writing to the Program Director and Policies and Procedures Committee within five (5) business days of notification of the decision being appealed. The appeal should clearly describe the basis for the appeal and include any relevant supporting documentation. Grounds for appeal may include procedural error, new information not previously available, or evidence that the decision was made in an arbitrary or unfair manner.
Upon receipt of the appeal, the Policies and Procedures Committee will review the documentation. The student may be asked to provide additional information or clarification as part of the review process. The Policies and Procedures Committee will review the information and provide a recommendation to the Program Director. Appeals related to grades will be reviewed directly by the Program Director and will not be directed to the Policies and Procedures Committee.
The Program Director will then review the appeal information and recommendation from the Policies and Procedures Committee. After review, the student will receive written notification of the decision. If the student believes the matter has not been resolved at the program level, they may pursue additional appeals to the Executive Dean of the College. The decision made by the Executive Dean is considered final.
All decisions made through the appeals process will be communicated to the student via their official university email.
Retaliation of any kind is strictly prohibited against any individual who submits an appeal in good faith. This includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, adverse academic or professional consequences, or any form of discriminatory treatment. The OTD Program ensures that all complaints and appeals are addressed respectfully, consistently, and without fear of reprisal. All records of complaints, including the nature of the complaint and its resolution, are maintained by the OTD Program in a secure location on a secure institutional shared drive for a period of seven (7) years.