Appeals & Grievances |
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Do you know your rights?
There are a lot of policies, rules and regulations that students are expected to know and follow at Mount Royal University. But along with those rules come rights for students. It is important to be aware of your student rights so you can exercise them when the need arises.
- Discrimination and Harassment
- Code of Student Conduct
- Withdrawal from a course
- Academic grade appeals
- Exam Deferral
- Academic Disqualification
- Grievances
Discrimination and Harassment
Students are to be treated equally and fairly at Mount Royal University; neither discrimination nor harassment will be tolerated. No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, ancestry, religious beliefs, physical disability, marital status, colour, place of origin, gender, mental disability, family status, source of income, age or sexual orientation. Under the Human Rights Policy of Mount Royal University, unwelcome remarks, jokes or actions which demean or deny individuals their dignity and respect will not be tolerated.
Code of Student Conduct
Additionally, in the newly implemented Code of Student Conduct is a comprehensive list of student rights, including the right to be presumed innocent until otherwise established by impartial decision-maker(s); to be informed of the services of a Students’ Association representative; to be accompanied and assisted through the process; and the right to appeal decisions made under the Code. The Code of Student Conduct deals with issues of both academic dishonesty and non-academic misconduct.
Withdrawal from a Course
Students have the right to drop out of a class without it affecting their GPA. It is called Withdrawal. Although there is no tuition refund, officially withdrawing from a course by the tenth week of the semester, or two-thirds of the scheduled length of the course, results in a ‘W’ grade on your transcript. To withdraw you must complete a Course or Complete Withdrawal Request Form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.
Under very special circumstances, a Special Withdrawal may be granted to students after the official Withdrawal date. The only circumstances in which a student may be granted a special withdrawal are serious illness that is verified by a doctor’s certificate or severe emotional distress verified with a letter from Student Counselling Services. Students who find themselves in either of these unfortunate circumstances must complete and Request for Late Withdrawal Form and a Release of Information for Instructors Form prior to the last day of classes.
You should also know that instructors can withdraw a student from a class. An Instructor-initiated Withdrawal can be made for failing to meet any course requirement as described in the course outline, including attendance. Students have ten (10) working days to appeal an instructor-initiated withdrawal before a ‘W’ grade is placed on their transcript.
Academic Grade Appeals
All course grades will remain on your academic record permanently, so make sure the grade you’ve been awarded is correct! Official final grades are usually available within five (5) days of the final exam. Students are responsible for confirming their final grades and academic status at the end of each semester by accessing Student Web Services at www.mtroyal.ca or the Touch-Tone Final Reporting System at (403) 503-4916.
If your mark has been calculated incorrectly, you need to complete a Change of Grade form within thirty (30) days of the start of the next semester. You also have the right to appeal a final grade on the basis that the grade is either inaccurate or unfair. A request for a Final Grade Appeal must be made to the Registrar within fifteen (15) working days of the end of the semester. Students may be accompanied and assisted by the VP Academic of the Students’ Association through the academic appeal process.
Exam Deferral
Students also have the right to defer final exams. There is an application process to be followed and you must have a valid reason for deferring an exam. These include: personal illness, bereavement, personal injury, religious observances, unavoidable and unanticipated demands in caring for dependents, more than two final exams scheduled on one day, and two or more exams being scheduled at the same time. You may also defer if you become ill in the middle of writing a final exam. Remember, it is up to you to exercise this right – if you have grounds to defer an exam and do not apply, you may not be granted a deferral!
Academic Disqualification
For those students who have been placed on Academic Disqualification, an appeal process is available to those students who had a serious domestic affliction and/or medical problem prior to the end of the student’s final examination period which could have affected their academic performance. Such students shall meet with the Registrar to review the disqualification appeal criteria and process before initiating a formal appeal. A Disqualification Appeal Form, along with the supporting documentation from a medical doctor and/or a counselor, must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than June 30 for Winter Semester and July 30 for Spring Semester. Students in the appeal process have the right to register in classes for the following semester until the ruling of the Disqualification Appeals Committee.
Grievances
Students may also file a grievance with the University on matters not involving academic standing. Grievances typically relate to the operations of the University and students can access the services of the VP Academic of the Students’ Association for assistance through the grievance process.
For more information on student rights or for confidential assistance in navigating the college bureaucracy, contact your VP Academic.
Contact
Anna Piltingsrud
VP Academic
Phone: (403) 440-6402
Email: vpacademic@samru.ca
