Grounds for Academic Appeals

Permissible Grounds

Academic appeals may only be submitted on the grounds specified below. Appeals that do not meet the permissible grounds will not be considered. For an academic appeal to be upheld, the reviewer(s) must be entirely satisfied the permissible grounds have been fully met and it would be fair and reasonable to uphold it.

Appeals against Assessment Grades

Academic appeals against a decision made by a faculty member in relation to assessment or the final grade for a course may only be brought on the following grounds:

  1. Extenuating Circumstances:
    1. There is evidence of extenuating circumstances that would usually be accepted under the Extenuating Circumstances Policy; and
    2. Vedere Institute was not aware of the circumstances at the time of the decision; and
    3. There was good reason outside of the student’s control for not making the Vedere Institute aware of the circumstances; and
    4. Vedere Institute is satisfied that the circumstances directly and adversely affected the student’s assessment or their final grade for the course.
  1. Material Error:
    1. There is evidence that a significant administrative error or procedural irregularity occurred; and
    2. Vedere Institute is satisfied that the error directly, adversely, and significantly affected the student’s assessment or their final grade for the course.

Vedere Institute will not consider appeals against the academic judgment of a faculty member. Academic judgment is defined by Vedere Institute as the considered application of academic expertise in the assessment and grading of a student’s academic work. Appeals that are submitted against academic judgment will be dismissed.

Appeals against Assessment Board Decisions

Academic appeals against a decision of the Assessment Board in relation to academic progression or the award of a degree may only be made on the following grounds:

Material Error:

  1. There is evidence a significant administrative error or procedural irregularity occurred; and
  2. Vedere Institute is satisfied the error directly and negatively affected the student’s progression or award of degree.