If a student wishes to appeal a Faculty of Graduate Studies ruling (e.g., the requirement to withdraw for academic reasons, the denial of continued registration, the denial of the right to graduate, specific requirements by the Faculty for the completion of a degree/course of study), the student shall address a letter of appeal to the Chair of the Graduate Studies Appeals Committee within fifteen days of the unfavourable decision.
In the letter of appeal, the student must clearly and fully state the ruling/decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal and the remedies being sought, together with all supporting evidence or documentation, if any. Mere dissatisfaction with a ruling is not sufficient grounds for an appeal.
In the process of deciding to initiate an appeal, the student may seek the assistance of the Graduate Students’ Association.
If the appeal letter does not detail the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal and the outcome sought by the student, or if the Chair of the Faculty Appeals Committee decides that sufficient grounds do not exist, the appeal will not be heard. If the appeal is to be heard and the student has not already received a copy, the student is advised to request from the Dean’s office, a copy of the principles and procedures that govern the Faculty Appeals Committee. These procedures will detail the composition of the committee, the right of the student to have an advocate at the hearing, how the hearing will be conducted, and other information.
The Faculty Appeals Committee shall report, in writing, its decision to uphold or deny the appeal, to the Dean of Graduate Studies and the appellant as quickly as possible.
Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for additional details on the procedures for appeals to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Appeals Committee: http://www.grad.ucalgary.ca/policies/appeals.
Academic Regulations