<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<Faculty of Pure and Applied Science<Regulations Governing Examinations and Academic Standards

Appeals Procedures

Appeals by students and/or faculty members against rulings of the Petitions Committee and/or the Committee on Examinations and Academic Standards of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science (with the exception of appeals on academic dishonesty rulings - see below) must be filed in writing with the Secretary of the Executive and Planning Committee in the Office of the Dean, 108 Steacie, within 15 calendar days of the date of notification of the decision.

Appeals against rulings of the Petitions Committee and/or the Committee on Examinations and Academic Standing will be heard by a panel of two faculty members of the Executive and Planning Committee and one student member selected from student members of the Faculty Council. In the rare event that a decision of a panel of the Executive and Planning Committee, or of the Senate Appeals Committee, requires a completely new (de novo) hearing, the matter will be heard by a panel of three faculty members of the Executive and Planning Committee and one student member selected from student members of the Faculty Council. These panels will be constituted, as required, from available members, by the Secretary of the Executive and Planning Committee.

Members shall disqualify themselves if they are involved as a party or witness in the case, or believe that they could not be impartial. Where members disqualify themselves, alternate members will replace them.

Appeals are heard only on the following grounds:

• a) new evidence; i.e. evidence that, through no fault of the appellant, could not reasonably have been presented at an earlier level; (As a guide, events or performance subsequent to the decisions of the Petitions Committee and/or the Committee on Examinations and Academic Standing are not to be construed as new evidence.)
• b) evidence of procedural irregularity in the previous consideration of the case by the Petitions Committee and/or the Committee on Examinations and Academic Standing. This may be understood to include actions taken by the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, its officers, committees or members with respect to the case which would violate or nullify any of the following:
  • normal and written procedures of the Faculty;
  • recognized custom of the Faculty;
  • the principles of natural justice and fairness.

Students and faculty members have the right to represent themselves at appeal hearings to hear and answer allegations and to present their arguments. Appeal hearings are not open to anyone not directly involved in the case being considered. The committee's decision is taken in camera.

All appeal decisions are reported in writing to the students and the faculty members concerned, the Office of Science Academic Services, the home Faculty and the Office of the Registrar.

Further appeals may be made to the Senate Appeals Committee. Enquiries about these appeals, and the grounds upon which they may be filed, should be directed to the Senate Office, S833 Ross.

Appeals on academic dishonesty rulings are also made directly to the Senate Appeals Committee. Appeals are heard only on the same grounds as cited above.