Appeal Procedures for Withdrawals

Policy

The student has the right to appeal a supervisor-initiated withdrawal. Appeals are made in writing to the Director of Professional Programs. The purpose of the appeal is to:

1. establish that due process was followed consistent with withdrawal procedures, and

    

2. review the evidence on which the decision was made in order to establish that an appropriate decision was made.

Procedures

1. The student writes a letter of appeal to the Director of Professional Programs within 10 days of having been notified of the withdrawal. The reasons for the appeal must be stated in the letter.

    

2. The Director of Professional Programs considers the appeal, reviewing the student's file and supporting documentation, and any written submissions from the student.

    

3. Following this review:
   
   1. the Director will make a decision and communicate it to the student or
   2. in cases of unclear or insufficient information or documentation, arrange for an appeal hearing.

       

4. In cases of a hearing:

    

   1. the date is communicated to the student, Faculty Associate, Coordinator, School Associate and any other person the Director designates;
   2. the student may be accompanied to the hearing by a friend or advisor
   3. the Director determines the procedure to be followed in each case; however, the student, Faculty Associate, Coordinator and School Associate are entitled to present their respective viewpoints on the recommended withdrawal. Questions of clarification may be asked of all participants; and the student is entitled to summarize his/her reasons for appealing his/her withdrawal.
   4. an audio tape will be made of the hearing. This will serve as the formal record and shall be available for playback at reasonable times to all parties present at the appeal hearing and to the Dean upon request. A copy will be retained in the student's file.
   5. the Director will notify the student of the decision in writing within one week after the hearing.

    

5. In the event that the student disagrees with the decision of the Director, s/he has the right to appeal to the Dean of the Faculty of Education. In the event of an appeal to the Dean, the student must give written notification of this intent, stating the reasons for the appeal, to the Office of the Dean of Education within one week of the date on which the student is notified of the decision of the Director. The Dean will determine the procedure to be followed in each case but shall give the student an opportunity to present his/her views orally or in writing, as the Dean determines. No hearing is needed. The Dean may rely on the record and the submissions of the student and anyone else the Dean considers appropriate. The student shall be informed of the substance of submissions of others taken into consideration by the Dean.

    

6. The decision of the Dean is final and not subject to any further appeal.

    

7. In determining any matter pursuant to these procedures, evidence or information may be received and accepted in any manner or form whether or not it would be admissible in a court of law. Such evidence and information shall be accorded such probative value as the person receiving it reasonably determines.

    

8. A student shall be deemed to have been notified of the Dean's decision, that has been sent by registered or certified mail and delivered to the student at his/her current address as shown on the records of the Registrar.