Deadlines, Petitions, Appeals, Complaints, & Policies
Deadlines and Petitions
The Academic Calendar provides term start and end dates, add/drop deadlines, grading deadlines, financial deadlines, holidays, closures and religious observances.
If a student misses an add, drop, withdraw or grade option change deadline because of extenuating circumstances, they may request an appeal to the deadline through the Deadline Appeal Petition. This process is available through the end of Finals Week in the term the course is offered.
If a student needs to withdraw for medical reasons they will use the same process via the Deadline Appeal Petition to drop or withdraw from a course past the deadline. If the student is unable to make the request due to incapacitation, a family member or representative may contact the Office of the Registrar directly. A faculty guide has been created with a list of resources supporting students who are experiencing serious illness.
The Petitions page has information and guidelines for petitioning past term deadlines, reinstatement, academic appeals, graduate coursework and financial aid appeals.
Please note that if a student discloses in a petition that they have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault or any other form of interpersonal violence, the matter is reported to PSU’s Title IX Coordinator or the office of the Dean of Students. Students who are experiencing an incident of this nature should be referred to a Confidential Advocate who can assist the student in obtaining the desired drop, withdrawal or grade change option without having to disclose the incident to a petition committee. To schedule with a confidential advocate online: https://psuwrc.youcanbook.me or by calling 503-725-5672.
Academic Appeals
The Office of the Dean of Student Life houses the Academic Appeals process. Students who feel they have received a prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation may submit an Academic Appeal Request. Before students submit this request, students must have appealed to the instructor, department chair and appropriate dean. Students should then read the Academic Appeals Guidelines to see if their grade dispute fits the purview of the Academic Appeal. For more information please visit the Academic Appeals webpage, email askdos@pdx.edu, or call 503-725-4422.
Please note that if a student believes they received a grade due to an instructor discriminating against them or due to an instructor not accommodating a student’s disability, the student should file a complaint with the Office of Equity and Compliance. The grades appeal board does not make of whether a grade should be modified based on discrimination.
Complaints
Office of Equity and Compliance (OEC) consults on and investigates complaints against faculty and staff and assists with complaints against third parties pertaining to PSU’s Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Religious Accommodations Policy, Reasonable Accommodation/Access Policy and other policies. Faculty members/instructors are obligated to report any form of discrimination or discriminatory harassment. Students, faculty, or staff may file a complaint with the office of Equity and Compliance or contact oaec@pdx.edu.
For more information about instructors’ policy and mandated obligations see the informational sheet on Equity and Compliance website.
Policies
Instructors' Policy & Mandated Obligations Informational Sheet
Art Collection Management Policy
University Policy Committee Resources
University Policy Committee (UPC) Work Plan - The status of policies the UPC is currently working
Administrative Policy Plan - To be filled out by all Responsible Officers
PSU Policy Template - To be used for all new or revised policies
University Policy Committee Meeting Schedule - (Approved Minutes)
Public Comment - Comments made in the Public Review phase of the policy adoption process
Smudging Procedure - Portland State University (University) is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful campus for all people. Religious and spiritual practices are an important part of life for many people in the University community, and the University accommodates both students and employees who wish to express their faith and/or spirituality. Many Native Americans participate in smudging as a religious practice. The University recognizes sage, cedar, sweet grass and other herbs and plants as traditional Native American medicines and essential elements of sacred ceremony. The University is committed to providing a pathway for students living on-campus who wish to practice ceremonial smudging.
