It is expected that the procedures outlined above will be sufficient to deal with any student appeal. Students should note, however, that the current University Act, Section 45(2) states: "Subsection (1) does not take away or impair the right of any student or group of students to petition any of the governing bodies of the University in respect of any matter, but such petition shall be in writing and shall be transmitted to the governing body through the president of the university."
The Board of Governors has approved principles and procedures to guide its Petitions Committee in considering student petitions. However, the Board of Governors recognizes that the General Faculties Council is the final body of appeal with respect to academic matters including, but not limited to, grades, examinations, refusal of continued registration, or the requirement to withdraw from the University for academic reasons. The Petitions Committee will not attempt to evaluate the merits of any course or program grade, or of any other decision relating to an academic matter. The Board of Governors and the Petitions Committee of the Board of Governors do not have any jurisdiction to determine petitions received from students pursuant to section 45(2) and 42(1)(a) of the Universities Act, where the petitions are in relation to courses offered and marked at an educational institution other than the University of Calgary, notwithstanding that the course may be credited toward a University of Calgary degree program.
A petition to the Board of Governors must be directed in writing to the President. The nature of the petition and the remedies sought by the petitioner(s) shall be clearly stated in a letter, and all supporting evidence or background materials included. If the Petitions Committee finds that the case has merit, the matter may be returned directly to the appropriate jurisdiction for a rehearing. In the case of substantially academic matters, referral will be to General Faculties Council for its determination as to the appropriate level of jurisdiction. The Petitions Committee may allow a hearing if it accepts jurisdiction in the matter and deems the facts to warrant such a hearing.
The Petitions Committee will not hear a petition for any remedy that may be obtained through existing appeal procedures within the University before those appeal procedures have been fully utilized, nor will academic decisions be set aside on the basis of minor irregularities in procedure.
In the case of a petition challenging a decision of the University body on procedural grounds such as breaches of natural justice or fairness, the Petitions Committee will normally refer the issue back to the level of appropriate jurisdiction for a rehearing and new determination of the question. In the case of a petition challenging a decision in which the student is denied permission to register, the student shall not be registered while the petition is before the Board.
For more specific information on the principles and procedures governing student petitions to the Board of Governors, the Secretary to the Board of Governors should be consulted.
Academic Regulations