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Dictionary of Academic Regulations (Fredericksburg Campus)
Academic Regulations (Fredericksburg) Home > Dictionary of Academic Regulations (Fredericksburg Campus) > Regulations A to Z > A > Academic Disputes

ACADEMIC DISPUTES.   

If there is a dispute between a student and a faculty member concerning a decision of the faculty member, every effort should be made by them to resolve the matter. If the disagreement cannot be resolved, the student may request a review of this decision no later than the end of the following semester, recognizing that the burden of proof is on the student. In such cases, the following procedure is to be followed:

The student will submit a written statement of the matter under dispute, with any supporting material, to the chairperson of the department of the faculty member concerned (or to the Office of Academic Affairs, if the dispute is with the chairperson), with a copy sent to the faculty member.

  1. Within seven (7) days, the chairperson will review the dispute, consulting with the faculty member and student concerned, with other department members as appropriate, and will attempt to settle the dispute. If agreement is reached at this level, the process ends.
  2. If either party does not accept the recommendation of the chairperson, the chairperson will forward all material including his or her recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty.
  3. The Dean of the Faculty will review the material submitted and will determine whether or not further consideration of the matter would be fruitful. If the decision is that it would not be fruitful, the Dean of the Faculty will render a final decision. If further consideration is needed, the matter will be referred to the Academic Review Board to act as a conciliator between the student and the faculty member.
  4. The Academic Review Board shall consist of the Associate Dean of Academic Services (acting as chairperson), two members of the Committee on Faculty Affairs, and the chairperson of the Student Association's Academic Affairs Council or his or her appointee.
  5. The Academic Review Board will hear the evidence of both the student and the faculty member on the matter and, within two weeks of being convened, communicate its recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty with copies to the student, faculty member and chairperson involved.
  6. The Dean of the Faculty will then render a decision, which will be final.

If a student believes the faculty member has committed a breach of professional ethics, this should be conveyed to the chairperson or to the Office of Academic Affairs, for administrative review.