Appeal Process

Following notification of a recommendation from the Student Academic Review Committee, a student may appeal the recommendation. The student has three business days to submit a formal written appeal of the recommendation to the CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee. The appeal must be submitted in writing and delivered to the chair of the CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee and the Office of the Dean within this three-day period. A narrative explaining the basis for the appeal should accompany the request. An appeal must be based on one of the following documented premises:

1. Bias of one or more members of the Student Academic Review Committee.
   Note: The student must present specific evidence that the committee member(s) demonstrated bias against the student in conducting the academic review process.
2. Material, documentable information not available to the committee at the time of its initial decision.
   Note: The student must provide a detailed explanation of why the new information is relevant and why it was not made available to the committee members during the academic review process. The student should be prepared to produce pertinent documentation at the appeal meeting. 
3. Procedural error.
   Note: The student must provide evidence that the committee did not correctly follow the procedures related to the conduct of the academic review process; for example, the student was not given notice of the meeting or committee recommendation in accordance with stated policies.

The CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee will review student appeals. A majority of faculty members on the committee must be from outside the program from which the student is appealing. One member of the appeal committee must be from the student's program but all committee members from the student's program will be non-voting members. The committee will review and assess the student's appeal. Any student requesting an appeal shall be notified in writing with a delivery confirmation (i.e., next-day express mail, e-mail or hand-delivery) by the chair of the committee at least two working days in advance of the scheduled meeting in which the student's case will be heard. Students may request and shall be permitted to appear before the committee (in person or via telephone or virtual meeting) to present their case. In such instances, the student shall inform the chair of the committee, in writing (i.e., e-mail or hand-delivery), of their desire to appear before the committee or their intent to waive this right. If a student chooses to appear before the committee, this prerogative extends to the involved student only and not to any other individuals. The committee may request that a course director and/or faculty advisor attend the meeting to provide additional information about the student's case. After review of the appeal, the committee chair submits the committee's recommendation to the Dean and notifies the chair of the Student Academic Review Committee. Upon receipt of the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee's recommendation, the Dean will make a decision, typically within ten business days, and then notify the student, the chairs of the Student Academic Review Committee and the CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee, and all appropriate support offices. The decision of the Dean is final.

Students must attend all didactic courses in which they are registered until the appeal process is complete. Students who fail a core or prerequisite course should consult with the Program Director regarding attendance in courses in the subsequent quarter. Students registered in a clinical course (rotation, practicum, etc.) may be placed on a mandatory academic leave of absence until the appeal process is finalized.