Appeal Policy

A restorative practice should be adopted, where students have ongoing conversations with their faculty and adviser to discuss academic expectations and concerns.

• Students with no outstanding tuition fees may appeal any academic decision if it meets the criteria outlined in the Grounds for Appeal (See Appendix A).

• All aspects of the academic appeal process will be kept confidential.

• There are two levels to the academic appeal process: level one is the informal academic resolution process and level two is the formal academic appeal process.

• Each level of the academic appeal process has an associated timeline, which represents the maximum allowable time for the appeal. Every effort will be made to expedite the process to decrease the impact on the student’s academic status.

• It is the student’s responsibility to initiate each phase of the appeal process. If the student does not initiate a phase within the timelines set in Seneca’s Academic Appeal Procedure, Seneca shall consider the matter closed.

Level One – Informal Academic Resolution Process

• If a student disagrees with an academic decision, they must discuss the matter with their faculty and program coordinator or chair as soon as possible to see if a mutually satisfactory solution can be reached in accordance with the timeline stated in Seneca’s Academic Appeal Procedure. 

• It is only when a resolution cannot be agreed upon through the informal appeal process that students may proceed to the formal academic appeal process.

Level Two – Formal Academic Appeal Process

If a student is unable to resolve a matter through the informal academic resolution process, they may file a formal academic appeal with Seneca. The student pursuing the formal academic appeal may request support from Student Services.