Mohawk Students' Association

Academic Appeals

The Academic Appeal process exists to allow you to receive a respectful and impartial review of a final grade if you believe what you’ve received is unjustified.

There are two levels of Academic Appeals:

The process
Get Appeal Forms
Student thinking about the academic appeals process.

The Appeal Process

First, it is important to know the following: 1) There is no jeopardy or risk in appealing a grade, 2) The appeal process cannot result in a reduced grade, and 3) The Policy specifically states there are to be no negative implications for students who exercise their right to appeal a grade.

  • Mohawk’s Academic Appeal policy is made to change a final grade.
  • Appeals must be based on fact.
  • Be mindful of timelines (you have five days after your final grade is posted to give notice of your intent to appeal, then you have five days after the notice to file the appeal).
  • Since a final grade is the result of the accumulation of grades leading up to it, document and keep track of issues you encounter throughout the semester (I.e., questions concerning quiz grades, etc.).
  • Try to resolve any issues with professors as soon as they arise to avoid having to resort to the appeal process at the end of a semester.
  • Be professional and respectful in all correspondence.
  • Notice of appeal must be given within 5 days of final grades being posted.
  • All completed appeal forms must be submitted within 5 days of giving notice.
  • A resolution meeting with your professor should take place within 5 days of submitting your appeal.
  • A mediation session (if requested) should take place within 5 days of your resolution meeting.
  • A panel must hear your appeal within 5 days of submitting your Level 2 appeal to the Registrar.
  1. Grade is increased or partially increased to the extent you requested.
  2. Grade is unchanged.
  3. Grade is marked as ‘I’ (incomplete) while additional work is completed.

LEVEL 1 - Informal Appeals

If you want to file a Level 1 Appeal, you must notify your professor and Associate Dean, in writing:

  • Notice must be given within 5 business days of receiving your final grade.
  • Notice must be given in writing (by email) to both your professor and your program’s Associate Dean. Note: If you do not know who your Associate Dean is, contact the receptionist for your department and request their name and email.
  • Completed appeal forms must be provided within 5 business days of giving notice of your intention to appeal. Note: You will need to attach your Level One Appeal Form to the email, or alternatively, make two paper copies and drop them off at your department reception. Address one copy to the professor, and one copy to the Associate Dean.
  • This form follows you throughout the Appeal process. If your documentation is well written, it will show you care about your marks.
  • Avoid wording that suggests incompetence, lack of knowledge of subject matter, or anything aggressive. Note: These may hinder you when you are trying to come to a resolution with your professor in the initial stages.

First, fill out the form with your name, Student number, Course name, course number, program name. Then, you will be asked to answer the following questions.

Q1: “What outcome are you expecting as the result of this review?”
This is where you need to state your proposed outcome. Be concise and specific. This could look something like:

  • “I respectfully request that my mark on Quiz #3 be adjusted to 7 out of 10 (70%) to account for the grading discrepancies indicated in this appeal. This would bring my final grade in this course to 80%.”
  • “I respectfully request that my mark on Assignment #1 be adjusted to 96% to account for the discrepancies raised in this appeal. That would bring my final grade in this course to 75%.”

Q2: “Please explain why you believe your final grade in the above course should be reviewed, and why your expectations about a change in grade are reasonable.”

  • This will be the body of your appeal.
  • Your appeal must be based in FACT.
  • Cite course materials such as textbook pages, course lectures, slide shows or other learning materials to support your argument and articulate the reason you believe your grade should be adjusted.
  • Be thorough in this step as you will be limited to the materials you can submit throughout the rest of the process.
  • Number your paragraphs for easy reference.

Q3: “Please state clearly the evidence you are bringing forward to support this grade appeal. Use additional pages if necessary and attach any relevant documentation.”

  • This is where you will list the materials you are citing in your appeal, such as lecture slides, textbooks, etc.
  • The materials should support the reasons for your appeal.
  • Any materials should be either photocopied, scanned, printed, or electronically attached to your appeal.
  • When copying excerpts from textbooks, photocopy both the cover page of the textbook, and the page from the text you are specifically referencing.
  • List the quiz, test or assignment you disagree with, even if your professor has retained it.
  • Once you’ve submitted your notice of appeal and your completed Appeal Form, your next step is to meet with the Professor for informal discussions to resolve the issue.
  • The Policy states this should be scheduled within 5 business days from providing your completed forms. While the request for the meeting should be sent within 5 business days, the date of the meeting may have some minor flexibility if either party is able to meet.
  • The goal of this meeting is to come to a resolution in a RESPECTFUL AND COURTEOUS way.
  • Bring a copy of the Level 1 Appeal Form to the meeting, as you will need to fill out on the form the outcome of the meeting. Both parties must agree to the outcome of the meeting.
  • If so, you may request an optional session with a college-appointed Mediator. If you choose to meet with a Mediator, this must take place within (you guessed it…) 5 business days!
  • If you are still disappointed in the results of the mediation and you still believe you are owed more credit for your work, there is one final stage left (Level 2).
  • The outcome is recorded on the Level 1 Form, and the student and faculty member will retain a copy of the completed Level 1 form. The student is responsible for forwarding the original to the Office of the Registrar.
  • If the issue is not resolved, the student may progress to the level 2 Academic Appeal process.

LEVEL 2 - Formal Appeals

Within 5 days of your meeting with your Professor (or mediation), you must complete a Level 2 Appeals form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar with all the information you initially submitted with your appeal. Another copy of the level 2 form (only the form) must be sent to your Associate Dean.

Within 5 days of submitting your form to the Registrar, a panel will be assembled to consider your appeal. The panel will consist of:

  • Associate Dean from another department (Only votes to break a tie)
  • Faculty Member (Subject Expert)
  • Faculty Member (from another department)
  • Student (Designated by MSA)

NOTE: Although you are required to represent yourself to the panel, you can bring another person for support. Consider reaching out to the MSA Board of Directors to receive peer-to-peer support during this process.

The panel will hear your case and make a decision within 3 days.

  • If you, a faculty member or the Associate Dean have concerns with the conduct of the grade Appeal, a letter to the college-appointed mediator must be submitted within three days of the Appeal panel meeting. The letter must outline the issues with the panel.
  • The mediator will decide if an investigation will be conducted based on the merits of the potential challenge.
  • If the mediator concludes there should be an investigation, the Vice President, Academic will start an investigation regarding the conduct of the panel.
  • The investigation will be completed within 5 Business days.
  • If the investigation concludes there was no procedural flaws, the decision of the appeal will stand. However, a procedural issue is found, a new panel will be made to re-examine the Grade Appeal.
All forms related to the Academic Appeals process can be picked up at the office of the Registrar or the Student Services office at the Fennell campus, and STARRT, Brantford and IAHS campuses. Forms can also be sent directly to you via email. If you have any questions or need any assistance throughout the Appeal process, or you would like a Form to be emailed to you, please reach out to our Reception department at MSAreception@mohawkcollege.ca or 905-575-2393.

Academic Appeals

Student thinking about the academic appeals process.

The Academic Appeal process exists to allow you to receive a respectful and impartial review of a final grade if you believe what you’ve received is unjustified.

There are two levels of Academic Appeals:

The Appeal Process

First, it is important to know the following: 1) There is no jeopardy or risk in appealing a grade, 2) The appeal process cannot result in a reduced grade, and 3) The Policy specifically states there are to be no negative implications for students who exercise their right to appeal a grade.
  • Mohawk’s Academic Appeal policy is made to change a final grade.
  • Appeals must be based on fact.
  • Be mindful of timelines (you have five days after your final grade is posted to give notice of your intent to appeal, then you have five days after the notice to file the appeal).
  • Since a final grade is the result of the accumulation of grades leading up to it, document and keep track of issues you encounter throughout the semester (I.e., questions concerning quiz grades, etc.).
  • Try to resolve any issues with professors as soon as they arise to avoid having to resort to the appeal process at the end of a semester.
  • Be professional and respectful in all correspondence.
  • Notice of appeal must be given within 5 days of final grades being posted.
  • All completed appeal forms must be submitted within 5 days of giving notice.
  • A resolution meeting with your professor should take place within 5 days of submitting your appeal.
  • A mediation session (if requested) should take place within 5 days of your resolution meeting.
  • A panel must hear your appeal within 5 days of submitting your Level 2 appeal to the Registrar.
  1. Grade is increased or partially increased to the extent you requested.
  2. Grade is unchanged.
  3. Grade is marked as ‘I’ (incomplete) while additional work is completed.

LEVEL 1 - Informal Appeals

If you want to file a Level 1 Appeal, you must notify your professor and Associate Dean, in writing:

  • Notice must be given within 5 business days of receiving your final grade.
  • Notice must be given in writing (by email) to both your professor and your program’s Associate Dean. Note: If you do not know who your Associate Dean is, contact the receptionist for your department and request their name and email.
  • Completed appeal forms must be provided within 5 business days of giving notice of your intention to appeal. Note: You will need to attach your Level One Appeal Form to the email, or alternatively, make two paper copies and drop them off at your department reception. Address one copy to the professor, and one copy to the Associate Dean.
  • This form follows you throughout the Appeal process. If your documentation is well written, it will show you care about your marks.
  • Avoid wording that suggests incompetence, lack of knowledge of subject matter, or anything aggressive. Note: These may hinder you when you are trying to come to a resolution with your professor in the initial stages.

First, fill out the form with your name, Student number, Course name, course number, program name. Then, you will be asked to answer the following questions.

Q1: “What outcome are you expecting as the result of this review?”
This is where you need to state your proposed outcome. Be concise and specific. This could look something like:

  • “I respectfully request that my mark on Quiz #3 be adjusted to 7 out of 10 (70%) to account for the grading discrepancies indicated in this appeal. This would bring my final grade in this course to 80%.”
  • “I respectfully request that my mark on Assignment #1 be adjusted to 96% to account for the discrepancies raised in this appeal. That would bring my final grade in this course to 75%.”

Q2: “Please explain why you believe your final grade in the above course should be reviewed, and why your expectations about a change in grade are reasonable.”

  • This will be the body of your appeal.
  • Your appeal must be based in FACT.
  • Cite course materials such as textbook pages, course lectures, slide shows or other learning materials to support your argument and articulate the reason you believe your grade should be adjusted.
  • Be thorough in this step as you will be limited to the materials you can submit throughout the rest of the process.
  • Number your paragraphs for easy reference.

Q3: “Please state clearly the evidence you are bringing forward to support this grade appeal. Use additional pages if necessary and attach any relevant documentation.”

  • This is where you will list the materials you are citing in your appeal, such as lecture slides, textbooks, etc.
  • The materials should support the reasons for your appeal.
  • Any materials should be either photocopied, scanned, printed, or electronically attached to your appeal.
  • When copying excerpts from textbooks, photocopy both the cover page of the textbook, and the page from the text you are specifically referencing.
  • List the quiz, test or assignment you disagree with, even if your professor has retained it.
  • Once you’ve submitted your notice of appeal and your completed Appeal Form, your next step is to meet with the Professor for informal discussions to resolve the issue.
  • The Policy states this should be scheduled within 5 business days from providing your completed forms. While the request for the meeting should be sent within 5 business days, the date of the meeting may have some minor flexibility if either party is able to meet.
  • The goal of this meeting is to come to a resolution in a RESPECTFUL AND COURTEOUS way.
  • Bring a copy of the Level 1 Appeal Form to the meeting, as you will need to fill out on the form the outcome of the meeting. Both parties must agree to the outcome of the meeting.
  • If so, you may request an optional session with a college-appointed Mediator. If you choose to meet with a Mediator, this must take place within (you guessed it…) 5 business days!
  • If you are still disappointed in the results of the mediation and you still believe you are owed more credit for your work, there is one final stage left (Level 2).
  • The outcome is recorded on the Level 1 Form, and the student and faculty member will retain a copy of the completed Level 1 form. The student is responsible for forwarding the original to the Office of the Registrar.
  • If the issue is not resolved, the student may progress to the level 2 Academic Appeal process.

LEVEL 2 - Formal Appeals

Within 5 days of your meeting with your Professor (or mediation), you must complete a Level 2 Appeals form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar with all the information you initially submitted with your appeal. Another copy of the level 2 form (only the form) must be sent to your Associate Dean.

Within 5 days of submitting your form to the Registrar, a panel will be assembled to consider your appeal. The panel will consist of:

  • Associate Dean from another department (Only votes to break a tie)
  • Faculty Member (Subject Expert)
  • Faculty Member (from another department)
  • Student (Designated by MSA)

NOTE: Although you are required to represent yourself to the panel, you can bring another person for support. Consider reaching out to the MSA Board of Directors to receive peer-to-peer support during this process.

The panel will hear your case and make a decision within 3 days.

  • If you, a faculty member or the Associate Dean have concerns with the conduct of the grade Appeal, a letter to the college-appointed mediator must be submitted within three days of the Appeal panel meeting. The letter must outline the issues with the panel.
  • The mediator will decide if an investigation will be conducted based on the merits of the potential challenge.
  • If the mediator concludes there should be an investigation, the Vice President, Academic will start an investigation regarding the conduct of the panel.
  • The investigation will be completed within 5 Business days.
  • If the investigation concludes there was no procedural flaws, the decision of the appeal will stand. However, a procedural issue is found, a new panel will be made to re-examine the Grade Appeal.
All forms related to the Academic Appeals process can be picked up at the office of the Registrar or the Student Services office at the Fennell campus, and STARRT, Brantford and IAHS campuses. Forms can also be sent directly to you via email. If you have any questions or need any assistance throughout the Appeal process, or you would like a Form to be emailed to you, please reach out to our Reception department at MSAreception@mohawkcollege.ca or 905-575-2393.