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While academic decisions, grade assignments, and final grades are not initially subject to
formalized appeal procedures,
students who wish to question an academic decision or grade will be granted an opportunity if there
is evidence of one of the
following:
- Grade miscalculation or other technical error affecting the academic decision, or
- The existence of extraordinary circumstances affecting the student’s performance, which were
outside the student’s
control, and which the student disclosed to the program or faculty member via email prior to any of
the following: an
examination, clinical experience, assignment, or other grading encounter, which significantly
impacted the final course grade
or academic decision but was not considered or weighed when the academic decision was made.
Documentation of a circumstance
outside of the student’s control does not necessarily indicate that a reversal of the academic
decision, grade assignment, or
final grade will be granted. Any information disclosed by the student after the academic decision,
grade assignment or final
grade was made, will not be considered in the review.
If the student believes that either “a” or “b” as stated above exists, they should first meet
with the primary faculty
member within one week (5 business days) of grade assignment to discuss the matter. If a
resolution cannot be
satisfactorily achieved, then the student may request a Department Level Review. (See procedure IV.
(1) below)
Aspects of the official academic review that involve or address the implementation of approved
student accommodations,
will be referred to the Rutgers Health Office of Disability Services (ODS) before the review is
heard, if appropriate. SHP
will consult with ODS as needed.
While awaiting the outcome of the review, the student will be allowed to resume didactic course
work provided that the
pre-requisite courses have been completed. However, continued participation in clinical experiences
is prohibited, unless the
program director determines that the student’s participation is safe, and that the clinical
experience cannot be easily
rescheduled at the end of the review process. Students will not be allowed to continue in any
coursework where the pre-
requisite course has not been successfully completed.
Deadline Extensions: At any point during the review, should a deadline need to be extended
due to scheduling
conflicts, or should any party require additional time to meet the upcoming deadline, an email
request must be sent to and
received by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for consideration. The email request should
indicate the reason for the
extension and how much additional time is needed. Should the extension be granted, the Assistant
Dean will alert all parties.
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Procedural Steps:
- Department Level Review
If not satisfied with the outcome from meeting with the primary faculty member, the student may
request a
Department Level Review utilizing the “Request for Academic Decision & Grade Review” form. This
written
request must be sent to the Program Director with a copy to the Department Chair within five (5)
business
days from meeting with the primary faculty member.
The request must state under which condition, either III.(a) or III.(b), the student is
requesting a
review, as well as provide any additional documentation. Upon receiving a request for a Department
Level
Review, the departments or program’s Academic Standing Committee, program director, department
chair, or
designee, as appropriate, may collect additional information from both the primary faculty member
and
student. However, the department’s Academic Standing Committee must meet with the student within 5
business
days from receiving the request and render a decision within 5 business days after meeting with the
student.
- School Level Review
If not satisfied with the result of the Department Level Review, the student can submit another
written
request via email utilizing the “Request for Academic Decision & Grade Review” form to the Assistant
Dean
for Student Affairs within five (5) business days from the date the decision was issued by the
department.
The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean for Education together with the
Chair
of the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing (CAAS) will collaboratively determine if the
student’s
request meets the criteria for a School Level Review and inform the student in writing of the
decision. If
the request is not received in writing by the deadline there will be no academic review.
The request for a School Level Review must provide written evidence supporting either criteria
III.(a) or
III.(b). Only information directly related to these conditions will be allowed. If the review
includes
condition III.(b), the request must include a copy of the email originally sent by the student to
the
program or faculty member notifying them of the extraordinary circumstance(s), which memorializes
the date,
time, and manner that the program or faculty member was notified by the student. Any evidence that
the
student’s request has been altered, edited or fabricated in any manner, including changes in the
body,
heading or time stamp of those emails, will result in the immediate termination of the review
process and
academic penalties up to and including dismissal from the school. If the request meets the criteria
for
review, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs or designee will arrange the date for the School
Level Review
Board to meet within five (5) business days from the day the request was received. The actual
hearing should
take place within 10 business days from its request if possible.
The School Level Academic Review Board will consist of a minimum of three (3) Committee on
Admissions and
Academic Standing (CAAS) faculty members who are not affiliated with the student’s
Program/Department.
Should members of the CAAS not be available, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, in consultation
with
the CAAS chair will select SHP faculty members to serve on the review board.
The “Request for Academic Decision & Grade Review” form will be shared with the Department for
review
prior to the hearing. Both the student and the Program/Department may submit any additional
documents or
other information relevant to the matter no later than 2 days prior to the hearing, to the Assistant
Dean
for Student Affairs or designee. All documents will be shared between the student and
program/department.
No additional documents or new information received after the 2-day deadline will be considered.
The School Level Academic Review Board, referred to as the “Hearing Board” will review the
information
provided by the department and the student prior to the hearing. The student and a department
designee must
appear before the Hearing Board in-person if enrolled in a hybrid or in-person program or through
our audio-
video conferencing system if enrolled in an online program. Within five business days from the
hearing, the
Hearing Board will render a decision, which will be transmitted to the student and the department.
Should
the committee require additional time to gather information or render a decision, the student will
be
notified.
Students may be accompanied by a support person during the hearing. However, this person will be
excluded
from contributing to proceedings. The session cannot be recorded.
- Dean’s Review
Should a student disagree with the written decision from the Hearing Board, the student must
submit a
written request via email within five business days to the Dean of the School of Health Professions
(copy
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs). Should the Dean not be available, a designee will be assigned.
Within
five business days of receipt of the request for review, the Dean or designee will render a written
decision. The decision of the Dean is final, and no further request will be permitted.
- Steps
Academic
Decision & Grade Review Flow Diagram
- Form
Policy 3.1.1
Request Form
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