Academic Dispute Resolution

The following instances are typically not included in the academic dispute resolution procedure:

• Dissatisfaction with a School Policy or Procedure or its general application on the grounds that it is generally unfair or inappropriate. In the case of such dissatisfaction, students, faculty, employees, and other stakeholders are represented on various governance committees through which their input into School Policy and Procedures is welcome. Please contact the VP Programming or Student Liaison to provide specific feedback.
• Purely personal conflicts with ADLER faculty or other employees
• Complaints regarding program requirements or grades except where they have been applied or determined contrary to stated policy.

Adler Graduate Professional School students who dispute decisions or procedures on the basis that while these decisions and procedures do not constitute discrimination or harassment, they do nonetheless adversely affect the student’s academic standing and progress may have recourse to the following procedures. 

These disputes will be managed with a view to achieving an acceptable outcome for all parties, bearing in mind the school’s commitment to fairness and equity as well as academic integrity. 

Procedure

1. A student seeking a review of an academic decision should first discuss their concerns with the faculty member responsible for the academic decision within five business days of receipt of the academic decision.
2. In the event the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion with the faculty member, the student must provide the faculty member with a written statement of the student’s concerns as soon after the discussion as shall be practicable and, in any event, not later than five business days after the discussion took place.
3. The faculty member shall respond in writing to the student as soon after receipt of the written statement as shall be practicable and, in any event, not later than five business days after receipt of the written statement. 
4. If the student does not receive a reply from the faculty member within the time specified, or if the student is not satisfied with the response received from the faculty member, the student may write to the Dean or Director of the program for a review of the faculty member’s decision.
5. A student requesting a review of the academic decision from the Dean or Director must include in the request a written statement substantially the same as the written statement furnished to the faculty member after the initial discussion referred to above.
6. The Dean or Director shall, within five business days of receiving the request for review, meet separately with the faculty member and student to make a determination in the case.
7. The Dean or Director will examine information provided by the student and faculty member and, in conjunction with them, create a plan for resolution of the issue.
8. Where the faculty member has not provided written reasons for the academic decision, the Dean or Director will instruct the faculty member to provide a written reason within a reasonable length of time.
9. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, which circumstances shall be reported to the Dean or Director, the Dean or Director should conclude the review and reach a decision within ten business days of the matter being referred to them.
10. In the decision, the Dean or Director may decide that the academic decision should stand or the academic decision be changed in specific ways that appear to the Dean or Director to be fair, equitable, and reasonable. 
11. The academic decision must be communicated in writing to the student and the faculty as soon as reasonably practicable. 
12. If the resolution includes actions, the decision should include a specific timeline for the completion of tasks and clear outcomes if the timeline is not met.

Normally, the decisions of the Dean or Director are final and binding. Students may appeal the decision only if they feel that the rules and policies of the school have been applied in a manner that constitutes a breach of the AGPS Discrimination and Harassment Policy. In that case, the student should follow the Complaints for Discrimination and Harassment Procedure in this Academic Calendar.