Academic Appeals

Academic Suspension Appeal Process

A student who is suspended may appeal the decision by writing a letter to the Office of Academic Affairs. The written appeal will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Admissions and Credits Committee before the beginning of the following term and adhering to the dates in the academic calendar.

The decision of the Admissions and Credits Committee is final.

For additional information concerning this procedure, contact the Office of Academic Affairs (304)367-4786 or academicaffairs@pierpont.edu .

Financial AID Appeals

A student may appeal the loss of financial aid through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. To appeal, the student must have experienced extenuating circumstances which have impacted academic progress. Examples of extenuating circumstances are death of immediate family member, injury or illness or other unusual circumstances evaluated by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

The appeal must include the following:

1. Why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress;

2. What has now changed that will allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of the next semester (statements of good intent are not sufficient);

3. Student’s academic plan for meeting satisfactory academic progress; and

4. Documentation to verify extenuating circumstances.

If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester and receive aid during that probation semester.

More information can be found in the Student Handbook.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY APPEALS

1. If the student does not accept responsibility, he or she may appeal to the dean of the program (the paperwork should be forwarded to the Dean by the instructor).

2. If the student and dean reach a resolution, the dean should make three copies of the NAM form: one for the student, one for departmental records, and one for the Office of Provost. These copies should be distributed within five academic days of resolution of the case.

3. If the student and the dean do not reach a resolution, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals Board (the paperwork should be forwarded to the Academic Appeals Board Chair by the Dean). This appeal must be initiated within five academic days of the student’s meeting with the dean.

4. If the student appeals to the Academic Appeals Board, the assigned panel will examine the case, and a decision will be reached. All case information and case results should be held in strictest confidence.

5. If the student disagrees with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, he or she may appeal to the Provost, whose decision is final, (the Chair of the Academic Appeals Board will forward the paperwork to the Provost). The appeal must be initiated within five academic days of the student receiving the decision from the Academic Appeals Board Chair.

More information can be found in the 2019-2020 Student Handbook at the link below or by contacting Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@pierpont.edu.

CLICK HERE - Student Handbook

Procedure for Appeals Not Otherwise Provided for Certain Academic Penalties

Section 6 (appeals of the Pierpont Policy 18 (Student Academic Rights) contains the policies and procedures by which a student may appeal or challenge any academic penalties imposed by a faculty member of Pierpont.

Pierpont provides published appeal procedures for final course grades, academic probation and academic suspension. Other academic penalties not covered by published procedures such as penalties imposed by an instructor in accordance with Section 5.2 of Policy 18, may be appealed as follows:

1. Student shall contact the instructor to resolve the matter. (At this point and at all levels, the required meeting shall be held as soon as possible but in no instance exceed the time limits set forth in Policy 18.)

2. If the student does not receive satisfaction after contacting the instructor, he or she may appeal to the program Coordinator or Dean of the School of the instructor, indicating the purpose of the appeal in writing. If the instructor is the program Coordinator or Dean of the School, the written appeal shall be sent to the College Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs who shall take the Deans or Coordinators part in the procedure.

3. If either the student or instructor is not satisfied with the decision of the Coordinator or Dean, either may submit a written appeal to the Chair of the Academic Appeals Board Committee. The Chair shall schedule a meeting as soon as possible to hear the case and render a decision. The Committee shall observe the procedure set forth in Section 6.3.2 of Policy 18.

4. The student or the instructor may appeal the Committee’s decision in writing to the President of Pierpont or designee. The decision of the President or designee will be final.

The procedure prescribed herein shall also be followed in appeals of academic dismissal from a limited enrollment program, except such an appeal will begin with the Dean of the School. Further the provisions of Section 7 of Policy 18 shall be applied in appeals of academic dismissal.