Is a grade or standing appeal right for you?

All students encounter issues during a semester that impact their academic performance and although these issues may be significant to you, they may not apply in the context of Ryerson Policy. Therefore, before you decide to submit an appeal, you must asses if you will qualify under Ryerson University grounds for appeal.

However, before even considering submitting an appeal, it can be more effective to try to informally resolve your issue by meeting with your instructor. If this step does not work and you decide to go ahead with an appeal, it will have weight in the later process because it demonstrates that you have been proactive and have taken steps to resolve the issue informally.

What are the different grounds for appeal?

Prejudice

(e.g. you experienced discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, and other grounds covered under the Ontario Human Rights code).

Medical

(e.g. you were sick).

Compassionate

(e.g. a family member died. Note: generally employment commitments are not included under this ground).

Course Management (Grade appeal only)

(e.g. a professor did not follow the course outline or a professor was personally biased or unfair).

Procedural Error

(e.g. a procedure was not followed which affected your grade).

What is a hearing?

At the senate level of your appeal (the third and highest level) you will have the chance to present your appeal to a panel. The panel is composed of the panel chair (a professor), another professor and a student. The appellant (you) can be accompanied by an advocate and the respondent (professor/chair) can be accompanied by a department designate. Each side will have a chance to make a statement and ask questions of each other, followed by questioning by the panel until they feel that they have enough information to make a decision to grant or deny the appeal.

How long does the process take?

The process can take anywhere from a month to 3 months (sometimes more) - it depends on how many levels of appeal you go through. Once you submit your appeal package, it would take about ten (10) working days to get a response. Upon receiving a response, if you wish to appeal further, you will have another ten (10) working days to submit an appeal to the next level, and so forth.

What can I do if my appeal is denied?

If you have filed an appeal and it is denied, you have the right to appeal that decision to the next level. If you are appealing a grade, it will always be submitted to the department/faculty where the course is taught (if it is different from that of your program). Standing appeals are submitted to your home department/faculty.

With a grade or appeal, the first level of appeal is at the department level. The second level of appeal is the faculty level and the third and final level of appeal is at the senate level. If your appeal is denied at the senate level, and you truly feel that the outcome has been unfair, then as a last resort, you can contact the Ombudsperson.

Ryerson students have academic rights!

If something is going wrong in a course or with your over-all academic situation, academic consideration policies and procedures can protect you.

A key element in the policy is that in order to effectively exercise your rights, you must normally act as soon as possible. Failure to do so may jeopardize your appeal.

If you tried to resolve matters but issues were not resolved prior to receiving a final grade (e.g. F) or an academic standing (e.g. suspended), it may be possible to appeal.

Information on how to appeal Grades and Standing can be found here: 

• Policy 134 – Policy on Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals

Grade appeals

If you appeal a grade, it must be due to certain reasons. These reasons must be documented. These are called 'grounds'. The grounds are:

• Prejudice (e.g. you experienced discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, and other grounds covered under the Ontario Human Rights code)
• Medical (e.g. you were sick)
• Compassionate (e.g. a family member died. Note: generally employment commitments are not included under this ground)
• Course Management (e.g. A professor did not follow the course outline or a professor was personally biased or unfair)
• Procedural Error (e.g. a procedure was not followed which affected your grade)

Standing Appeals

If something significant has effected your overall academic performance you can appeal your academic standing.  Under the current policy there are 5 categories of Academic Standing based on GPA and past performances.  More information about what your Academic Standing means can be found here:

• Policy 46-Policy on Grading, Promotion, and Academic Standing (The “GPA” Policy)

Don't miss the deadlines!

Read the university calendar carefully for relevant fixed deadlines for appeals, dropping courses and other issues.

There are other deadlines you should also know including:

• Students have ten working days to consult with their professors if they are dissatisfied with the grades received on a midterm test or assignment.
• Normally, students have three working days to present medical certificates or compassionate documentation (e.g. from a funeral home) for absence from class/assignments/tests.
• Students have ten working days to file an appeal the next level after receiving a response from their department or faculty.
• Students are entitled to ten working days notice of a hearing for academic misconduct or an academic appeal to Academic Council.

Important Notice

Efforts have been made to make these pages accurate and useful. However, these pages present a summary of information based on university policies and procedures. The information should not been seen as complete or all-inclusive. Students and others are strongly advised to read the appropriate policies directly from the calendar and other university publications.

Although many of the same principles apply, graduate students have different polices then those summarize below. Graduate students may obtain more info from www.ryerson.ca/gradstudies or by calling RSU's Student Issues and Advocacy Coordinator, (416) 979-5255

The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) knows that most students have a lot going in their lives.

The RSU is here to help! 

The RSU offers legal and advocacy services for students in need and we make every effort to address problems you may be experiencing, financially, academically and in your personal life. 

Education is a priceless tool to succeed in life and we want all Ryerson Students to have access to those tools.

How to succeed if your non-academic life is falling apart:

Talk to your department about the problem when things come up. They may have some solutions you have not considered. Even a late course drop MIGHT be possible.

Get assistance from a counsellor from Student Services when appropriate. Ryerson has services to support students. Use them.

Consider lightening your course load. It may take you longer to finish your degree, but if you don't lighten the load, you may not finish at all.

Get things documented. It may be difficult, but to protect yourself, you should try to document your situation as best as possible. For example, if you are sick get a medical certificate completed as soon as you become ill.

Ask for help. The Ryerson Students' Union's Student Issues and Advocacy Coordinator can offer you advice and provide support to students who are dealing with difficult situations. The university ombudsperson and Student Services personnel can also provide assistance about where to go and what to do.

Ryerson Academics by the Numbers

2.0 – the Cumulative Grade Point Average you will need to graduate

63-66% -what you need to get a 2.0 in all faculties except Engineering and Applied Science

60-62% -what you need to get a 2.0 in the faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

3 - the number of times you are allowed to take a core course. If you fail a course three times, you will be asked to leave your program permanently (withdrawn)

3 – the number of Fs in your first semester that will cause you to be suspended

0 – the minimum penalty for a finding of academic dishonesty

ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC ISSUE WEBSITES

• Appeal forms & information
• University Calendar
• Student Guide
• The Office of the Ombudsperson

Tips to avoiding Academic Misconduct:

1. Read your course outline, the University has a policy on Academic Integrity, but department expectations may vary.
2. If you think something could be academic misconduct, ask your professor before you hand in your paper, assignment or lab. Asking after you handed the paper in is not good enough and is often considered an offence even if it was a mistake.
3. Opt out of turnitin.com. Turnitin.com is a plagiarism detection device that professors at Ryerson University use to maintain Academic Integrity. However, this software is owned and operated by a for profit company. After you submit your paper on this website it compares your work to other works. Often, the comparison is a result of miss-quoted material or improper referencing. You can avoid being charged with academic misconduct if you opt out in the first 2 weeks of a course. You may be required to hand in rough notes and other material if you do. If you have any questions about opt out procedures, please contact the RSU.
4. If you are unsure about what constitutes Academic Misconduct and you want to learn more, attend a free Academic Integrity Tutorial Workshop. You can sign up online and there are several different tutorials you can attend.

Academic Misconduct Procedures

This section is meant to be a short guide to the procedures involved in being suspected or charged with Academic Misconduct at Ryerson University.  At any point in the process students may consult the RSU advocate. A full overview of the policy and procedures can be found here:

• Policy 60 – Student Code of Academic Misconduct

Ryerson University official method of correspondence for Academic Misconduct is EMAIL ONLY. Therefore, it is important for every student to take responsibility for every email they receive from Ryerson University on this matter.

Academic Misconduct Suspicion

If you are suspected of academic misconduct you will be contacted by the professor in your course OR the academic integrity officer Donna Bell (email dbell@ryerson.ca), this email will more often then not have the title “Facilitated Discussion” and will offer the student a date to attend a meeting (usually within 5 days of receipt of the email). If this date does not work in your schedule you must contact the professor immediately to make alternate arrangements.

What is a facilitated discussion?

A facilitated discussion is a discussion about the suspected misconduct. Usually, the professor has reason to suspect a student may have participated in something with constitutes academic misconduct and they must confront the student with their findings. 

As a student you have every right to defend yourself. Be honest and try and explain your situation. At this step in the process students may consult the RSU advocate, but the advocate cannot attend Facilitated Discussions as an advocate.

Facilitated discussions are meant to be the first part of the academic misconduct process and there are 2 types:

1. A Facilitated Discussion with the Student and Professor:
   Where only the student and professor attend and discuss the matter at hand in an effort to resolve the solutions
2. A Facilitated Discussion with the Student, Professor and Academic Integrity Officer:
   At any point before the scheduled date for the facilitated discussion the student or professor can request that the Academic Integrity Officer be present at a Facilitated Discussion. The Academic Integrity Officer’s role is to take notes and act as a non-bias third part witness to the discussion.
   

After the Facilitated Discussion the Academic Integrity Officer must contact the student within 5 days with the Professors decision.

All decisions can be appealed!

Appealing the Decision:

At this point in the process students can seek advocacy from the RSU's Student Rights and Advocacy Coordinator.

To book an appointment to discuss appeal options you can email advocacy@rsuonline.ca

Before attending an appointment or submitting your Faculty or Senate Academic Misconduct Appeal it is important to know your rights and submit the appropriate forms:

• Policy 60 – Student Code of Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct Forms:

• Faculty Appeal Form - Stage 1 appeal form
• Senate Appeal Form - Stage 2 appeal form

Appeals must be submitted not later than 10 days after the receipt of the Facilitated Discussion Decision Letter.