Academic & Non-Academic Appeals

**Important Note: Due to the situation regarding COVID-19, we are not recommending any academic appeals be completed in person. Please contact our VP Internal by email at sa_internal@mhc.ab.ca on any appeal inquiries.**

If you feel you have received an unfair grade on a test, exam, or assignment you have the right to appeal on the grounds of unforeseen extenuating circumstances, merit of work, procedural irregularity, or discrimination.

The full process is listed below but the First Step, and the one you need to do immediately, is speak with your instructor. It is best to do this in writing so you can verify that you addressed the grade with them within 10 days of receiving your mark. If you can’t come to an understanding with your instructor within 10 days, contact your VP Internal @ SA_Internal@mhc.ab.ca for assistance going through your next steps.

Appeal Qualifications

There is a presumption that grades assigned are correct and it is up to the student to demonstrate otherwise by providing documentation to support the case in question.  In the absence of compelling reasons, such as instructor or clerical error, prejudice, or capriciousness, the grade assigned by the instructor is to be considered final.  Students can appeal any type of assignment, practicum, or examination that does not reflect the documented level of a student’s accomplishments.

A grade may only be changed by the instructor who issued it or by the Vice- President Academic based on the outcome of a formal appeal.  For support through this process, you can contact the Vice President Internal of the Students’ Association to give guidance to ensure your appeal is merited and will stand.

You cannot appeal simply because you want to increase your grade or to help you pass a class. An appeal can only be launched if it meets one of the four grounds for academic appeal.

Grounds for Academic Appeal
  1. Unforeseen Extenuating Circumstances – if you believe unforeseen extenuating circumstances interfered with your academic performance, you can appeal your grade. Documentation will be needed to support your claims.
  2. Merit of Work – If you think that your course/work was credited for less than it was worth, you can appeal.
  3. Procedural Irregularity – If you think that your problems were due to the way that the course was administered, or if the course outline was not properly followed, you can appeal.
  4. Discrimination – If you think that your grade was based on considerations other than on the merit of your work, you can appeal.
Informal Academic Appeal Process
  1. If you receive an assignment, examination, or final grade that you wish to dispute. You
    must respectfully contact your instructor for clarification within 10 working
    days of receiving the grade    . You are responsible for monitoring posted final grades.
  2. If you are not satisfied with the clarification provided by the instructor, or if you have
    made verifiable attempts through the division office to meet with the instructor without
    success, you may contact the chair.
  3. Put your concerns in writing to the chair responsible for the course within 20
    working days     of receiving the assignment or grade.
  4. The chair will meet individually with you and the instructor (as well as a Students’
    Association representative and a Faculty Association representative, if applicable), to
    review all relevant graded work, and documentation, and the pertinent calculations that
    have contributed to the assigned grade. The chair will respond to you within five working
    days of the meeting and indicate whether or not consensus has been achieved in relation
    to the grade assignment.

If the matter has not been resolved you can move on to the Formal Academic Appeal process outlined below.

Formal Academic Appeal Process
  1. Should you feel the matter has not been resolved, you may continue the appeal by
    submitting the grade appeal form (available at the Registrar’s office) within 10 working
    days of the date of the chair’s response to you. A fee of $25.00 will be charged. (This fee
    will be refunded if the appeal is successful).
  2. The Registrar will forward the appeal form and all other written documentation
    included, to the office of the Vice- President, Academic.
  3. The Vice-President, academic or designate will form an Appeal Committee composed of
    a student representative from another program recommended by the Students’
    Association of MHC, one faculty member from another division recommended by the
    Faculty Association of MHC and the Vice President, Academic or designate, who will
    have final approval of the nominees from the respective associations and chair the
    committee.
  4. The Appeal Committee will review the written documentation and hear from all parties
    concerned in the matter, including the instructor and the student. The committee shall
    make a decision within 20 working days from the date the student filed the appeal
    with the Registrar. The decision of the committee is final.

For more information contact the Vice President Internal or visit the Students’ Association Office

Non-Academic Appeals

The student or students can appeal the penalty for non-academic misconduct by notifying in writing the office of the Vice President Academic within 20 working days from the date of the Dean’s decision.  For support through this process, you can contact the Vice President Internal of the Students’ Association to give guidance to ensure your appeal is merited and will stand.

  1. The Vice President Academic or designate will form an Appeal Committee composed of a
    student representative from another program recommended by the Students’
    Association of MHC, one neutral college administrator or faculty member recommended
    by the office of the President and the Vice President, Academic or designate, who will
    have final approval of the nominees from the respective associations and chair the
    committee.
  2. The Appeal Committee will review the written documentation and hear from all parties
    concerned in the matter. The committee shall make a decision within 20 working days
    from the date the student or students filed the appeal with the office of the Vice President
    Academic. The decision of the committee is final.

For more information contact the Vice President Internal or visit the Students’ Association Office

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