Graduate Department Academic Appeals

Graduate students registered in the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) may appeal substantive or procedural academic matters, including grades, evaluation of comprehensive examinations and other program requirements; decisions about the student’s continuation in any program; or concerning any other decision with respect to the application of academic regulations and requirements to a student (SGS General Regulations 11.1).

With the exception of appeals related to the Termination of Registration and Final Oral Examination failure, appeals are initiated within the student’s home graduate unit first, through the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC).

Only students who are currently registered in the School of Graduate Studies, or who were registered at the time the ruling or action was taken, may file an academic appeal.  Students must file an appeal within eight weeks after the date of the decision being appealed (e.g. after the date on which the grade being appealed was made known to the student). See the appeals policy in the General Regulations in the SGS Calendar for further information on timing.

The decision resulting from the GDAAC may be appealed to the Graduate Academic Appeals Board (GAAB). The decision of the GAAB may be appealed to Governing Council's Academic Appeals Committee.

Students may not appeal admissions decisions, fees, or the voluntary withdrawal from a graduate program.

Initiating an Appeal to the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC)

As indicated on the School of Graduate Studies website, the first step in the appeal process is to attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor or other person whose ruling is in question. Students must first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor or other person whose ruling is in question. Should the matter not be resolved with the instructor, the student must discuss the matter with the Assistant or Associate Dean, Graduate Programs. Should such discussions fail to resolve the matter, the student may then make a formal appeal in writing (see Notice of Appeal form below) to the Chair of the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC).

After receiving the Notice of Appeal, the Chair of the GDAAC ((with the support of the secretary to the Committee) will provide the person, or persons who made the decision being appealed with a copy of the Notice of Appeal and request a written response. This response, along with the student Notice of Appeal will be considered by the GDAAC committee.

The GDAAC committee will make a recommendation to the Chair of the Department, who will render a decision.