During my Appeal

Student Appeal Process Timeline

The University student appeal process is intended to be a timely process, and there are a number of key deadlines contained in the Student Misconduct and Academic Appeals Policy, the University Appeals Committee Procedure and the University Appeals Tribunal Procedure.  However, requests for extensions of time, availability of parties, and the need for other procedural decisions will impact the amount of time needed. The timeline below provides a general estimate of the amount of time the University student appeal process may take.

Submit your appeal or a request for an extension

  • Requests for an extension of the 10 day time limit must be made before the time limit expires. [See Section 4.2 of the UAC Procedure or UAT Procedure]

Within 2 days of submitting an appeal

  • the University Student Appeals Office will acknowledge your appeal and provide you with a link to the Student Discipline and Academic Appeal Policy and appropriate Procedure [See Section 4.6 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]
  • The University Student Appeals Office will forward your appeal to an Appeal Review Administrator [See Section 4.6 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure], who will review your appeal and determine whether you are given permission to appeal.  The Appeal Review Administrator may deny your appeal for the reasons listed in Section 4.8 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure.

Within 3 days of being granted permission to appeal, the Student Appeal Office will:

  • provide you and the respondent  with the names of the panel members for your appeal. If you have valid concerns about a conflict of interest for one or more of the panel members, you must provide your written challenge to the University Student Appeals Office within 5 days (Day 18-19). The University Student Appeals Office will provide new panel names within 3 days of the Chair’s decision. If a challenge is made to the panel membership, the timeline of the appeal will be extended.
  • provide you and the responding faculty with the date, time and location of the hearing, in the event the hearing is to be an oral hearing, and
  • request a written response to your appeal from the responding faculty [see Section 4.13 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

Within 10 days after the date of the request from the Student Appeal Office

  • the responding faculty must provide its written response to your appeal [See Section 4.13(c) of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

Within 3 days of after the responding faculty’s written response

  • the panel chair will decide whether the hearing will be oral or written [See Section 4.15 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

Please note that any submissions regarding process matters will extend the timeline of the appeal [See Sections 4.20 – 4.22 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

At least 5 days prior to the oral hearing, the University Student Appeals Office

  • will provide you and the responding faculty with formal written notice of the appeal hearing, including a reminder of the date, time and location, along with all documentation received [See Section 4.26 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

At least 3-5 days before the hearing

  • you and the responding faculty must inform the University Student Appeals Office if you plan on having a witness, or advisor attend an oral Appeal Hearing.  The name, occupation, and the relationship to you, of your witness's or advisor, must also be provided [See Sections 4.27 – 4.39 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

Oral hearing will occur [See Section 4.23 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure]

Decision Issued

  • The University Student Appeals Office will forward the decision of the panel to you and to the responding faculty [See Section 4.52 of the UAC Procedure or the UAT Procedure].

If your appeal was denied, check the “After my Appeal” tab for further appeal options.

How to Prepare for Your Oral Hearing

The student appeal process at the University is a serious process. It is important that you:

    • These documents describe the appeal process, including the oral hearing process, and include important deadlines.
    • If you have questions or do not understand any part of these documents, please contact the University Student Appeals Office or the Student Ombuds immediately for clarification. We want to make sure you have the information you need regarding the appeal process and that you have the best chance to make your case.
  • Consider arriving at least 15 minutes early
    • This will allow you to collect your thoughts, and to meet the panel chair and a member of the University Student Appeals Office before the hearing starts.
  • Are organized and prepared
    • Have a copy of all of the appeal materials with you and have them organized so that you can easily find them. Note that the University Student Appeals Office will not print off materials for appellants, respondents or other hearing attendees.
    • Although the hearing panel has reviewed all of your written submissions, you will be provided with an opportunity to provide a short summary as well as a conclusion.  Organize your thoughts so that you can provide these in an effective, concise manner and within the time allotted. It may help to write down what you want to say.  Focus on your grounds (or reasons) for your appeal and why the outcome you are seeking should be accepted. Avoid irrelevant information.
    • You will be given a chance to ask questions of the other party. Preparing these in advance will assist you in ensuring that all of your questions are asked.
    • Anticipate questions that you may be asked, and have responses prepared.
  • Remain calm and be honest
    • Present yourself in a professional manner, and resist being argumentative or disrespectful.
    • You are expected to be honest at all times. Honesty is key to credibility.
    • Listen carefully.
    • If you do not understand something that is happening during the hearing, or do not understand a question that has been asked of you, let the panel Chair know and ask for clarification.
    • You may not be able to respond to something you do not agree with right away, so take notes during the hearing so that you can recall these points and address them when it is your turn to ask questions or provide your conclusion.
    • Remember to take your time and to ask for a break if you need it. This is your opportunity to make your best case.