Learner Appeals
What is an appeal?An appeal is a formal request by a student to review a decision that has been made by a College staff member, which has been supported and confirmed by the relevant department.
(See the Bow Valley College Student Handbook and the Bow Valley College Learner Appeal Policy LS-14 for additional information - both available in Student Web Portal at www.mybvc.ca)
When is an appeal appropriate?
An appeal should be based on evidence that the decision was unfair and specific information was not considered, not simply that you are sorry, or feel you need another chance. You may wish to discuss the appropriateness of your appeal with a counsellor.
What types of decisions are most often appealed?
- The decision to terminate or expel a learner from a full- or part-time program.
- The decision to terminate or remove a learner from a specific class or subject.
- The decision to restrict access to an area of the College.
- The decision to deny a learner from participation in activities (e.g. field trips).
- The decision on final grades in a course.
How do you submit an appeal request?
You can submit a Learner Appeals Form (available at www.mybvc.ca) to the Chair, Learner Appeals Committee at registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca. The form is also available at the front counter at the Registrar's Office, 3rd Floor, North Campus.
Prior to submitting a request for a formal appeal, learners are to follow the informal problem resolution process.
A formal appeal requires the learner to submit a written request for an appeal.
The appeal must indicate the decision that is being appealed and a brief description as to why you feel the decision should be changed.
The signed request must be submitted within five school days of the decision that is being appealed.
Appeals submitted late will be denied.
The request shall be addressed to the Bow Valley College Appeal Committee and can be hand delivered to the Registrar's Office on the 3rd Floor of North Campus, or it can be faxed to 403-297-4887. The time and date of receipt of the appeal request will be noted.
What happens next?
A committee meeting will be held within five school days of receipt of a request for an appeal hearing. The student will be notified of the time and place of the hearing via telephone and letter. Questions about time and place of the hearing and committee members can be directed to registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca.
Who will be on the appeal committee?
There are three members on the appeal committee, two voting members and the Chair who votes only to break a tie.
Committee Members
- The Chairperson (who will be the Director of Enrolment Services and Registrar or delegate)
- A counsellor; and
- A faculty representative (from another department)
You can find out who the committee members will be one day prior to the appeal hearing by contacting registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca . Committee members will be changed only if bias against the learner appealing can be proven and the request for a change in committee members must be received one day prior to the hearing.
What happens at an appeal hearing?
The representative from the program area who made the decision being appealed, and the learner will have an opportunity to present information to the committee.
In most cases a learner is appealing the decision that he or she is being terminated from a program or course. In such a case the instructor, coordinator or dean provides the following:
If attendance or lack of progress is the concern:
- grades and marks
- number of days or classes absent
- warnings that have been issued
- what has been done to help the learner or resolve difficulties
- validation from current instructors
- examples of commitment not met
- estimates or recommendations as to whether it will be possible to complete the course successfully
If the concern is about disruptive behavior:
- description of the event that led to the disruptive action
- who observed the behaviour
- reports of prior disruptive incidents
- marks or performance (if relevant to termination)
Can you bring someone with you to the appeal hearing?
A learner may bring one person (a fellow student, family member, Students' Association representative etc.), to their appeal hearing for moral support or to represent them at the hearing. If you intend to bring someone for support, you must let the Committee Chair know who the guest will be and their relationship to you. To have someone speak for you in the hearing you must have approval from the Committee Chair. You can contact the Chair via registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca.
