Introduction

All students are entitled to rights formulated by a set of procedures designed to address academic performance and conduct. The School has instituted and maintains the following formal procedures that ensure due process and the exercise of rights accorded to all students.

The Academic Standing Committee is the investigatory body in matters relating to student academic standing.

An Academic Performance Report and Performance Action Plan are normally filed before referral to the Academic Standing Committee. If the procedures of the Academic Performance Report are not successful, or it is determined by the Dean or Director that a Performance Plan is not appropriate to the report, they will refer the matter to the Academic Standing Committee. 

The Committee will consider matters referred to it concerning:

• academic grades or assessment of program requirements
• course attendance
• readiness for practicum
• standards for successful completion
• other matters with respect to student academic performance

Committee procedures are based on principles of natural justice, and an allegation is not to be understood as indicative of guilt. Any person referred to the Academic Standing Committee is considered innocent until proven guilty.

• An Academic Standing Committee is not a legal process. It is an internal academic tribunal, and as such, no party may be represented in meetings or investigations by legal counsel.
• No meetings may be recorded unless required as part of an approved accommodation for a disability. In this case, please see the Recording Policy. 

Within five business days of determining that the Academic Performance Report process has not been successful or is not appropriate, or the direct referral from a Dean, Director or the Registrar, the Dean or Director will:

1. Inform the student in writing that an Academic Standing Committee will be formed to resolve the issue.
2. Appoint an Academic Standing Committee consisting of
   1. A Chair and two other AGPS faculty members who are not currently teaching or supervising the student or are a Dean or Director of a department in a program the student is registered in.
      1. If it is not possible to appoint enough current faculty members, former members, or other individuals outside the school with equivalent academic training and professional experience may be appointed.
3. As soon as possible after the appointment, the ASC should meet to review any relevant academic records.
4. Within five business days of being appointed, the Chair of the ASC shall inform the student in writing of:
   1. The nature of the complaint.
   2. Their rights in the process of resolution, including when and how they can submit documentation, and who can attend any meetings.
   3. The proposed date for an interview.
      1. Interviews should be scheduled within seven business days of contacting the student. 
      2. Students should be advised that they can bring one individual to the Academic Standing Committee interview, but that individual may not participate in the proceedings of the interview and may not act in the role of a legal representative for the student. 
   4. Students can submit documentation or information to the Chair of the ASC at any time up to two business days before the interview.
   5. Within five business days of being appointed, the Chair of the ASC should contact the faculty member involved to inform them of the ASC and invite them to an interview.
      1. The interview should be scheduled within one week of contacting the faculty member. 
   6. The ASC may also interview any individuals they feel would be relevant to the resolution of the concern.
   7. Within 15 business days of any final interview with the student, the ASC will deliver a written report to the Dean or Director of the program in which the student is registered. It should include, at a minimum:
      1. A summary of the evidence and findings presented to the ASC.
      2. A recommendation with justification for a course of action, which might include, but is not limited to:
         1. Remediation – The Academic Standing Committee will specify a plan and timeline that the student must follow. This may include recommendations for additional learning, tutoring, coaching, or treatment, which may require the student to pay additional fees. Should the student be unwilling or unable to complete the plan specified by the Academic Standing Committee, the consequence may be dismissal from the course or Program.
         2. Reprimand – The Academic Standing Committee may recommend a statement to appear in the student’s record.
         3. Probation – Standards that must be upheld for continuation in the Program will be recommended by the Committee, along with a timeline.
         4. Suspension – The Committee may recommend that a student be removed from the Program for a set period.
         5. Dismissal – The effective date of dismissal should be included with a recommendation for this action.
         6. No action is necessary.