Common Concerns
We recognize that the University is a large and diverse community. While our website lists the issues that we see most frequently, our list is not exhaustive and we look forward to assisting you with your unique situation.
Academic Issues
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If a student believes that the grade
they received in a class does not accurately reflect the work they submitted
and the level of their participation in a class, the student may pursue a grade
appeal. View the
policy
pertaining to grade appeals.
One-Stop Services outlines this process for you.
The Ombuds' role in a grade
appeal is to work with the student to understand the regulation and its
implementation, and to assist in determining what supporting documentation the
student may need to produce in order to pursue a grade appeal.
Generally the
Ombuds will ask the student to provide a copy of the course syllabus and any
graded materials the student has received in order to develop a grade appeal.
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Violations of the University’s Academic Integrity policy include cheating, fabrication and falsification, multiple submissions, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials and complicity in academic dishonesty.
Students charged with violations of the Academic Integrity policy may appeal this decision and/or associated sanctions according to the remedies provided by the University’s Academic Misconduct Policy.
One-Stop Services outlines the appeal process for Academic Misconduct.
The Ombuds can work with students charged with violations of the
Academic Integrity policy who feel that they have been falsely charged, or have
been given sanctions that are not commensurate with the nature of the violation
to appeal these decisions.
Attendance
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The University anticipates students will attend classes for
which they are registered, but also understands that on occasion unforeseen
circumstances, including medical issues, prevent a student from attending a
class or classes.
It is always the student’s responsibility to discuss absences
with their instructors and provide documentation of the reason for absence if
requested by the instructor.
In situations where the student is not able to
notify instructors of an absence due to serious illness or hospitalization, the
Ombuds will notify instructors of the absence based upon the request of the
student or a member of his/her immediate family.
University Attendance Policy.
Health Related Issues
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If a student incurs a serious medical condition that prevents
him/her from completing the withdrawal process, the student may initiate
contact with the Ombuds or the Director of Student Health Services or
Counseling Center as appropriate to request a medical withdrawal. If
approved, a medical withdrawal removes the student from his/her classes without
grade penalty and may result in a refund of tuition and fees.
There are
sometimes other consequences to a medical withdrawal including impact on
current financial aid allocations and eligibility for future financial aid
which the Ombuds can discuss with you.
University Medical Withdrawal Policy
Financial Issues
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Students who have withdrawn from classes due to circumstances
beyond their control, or feel that the University has made an error in their
billing, may submit a Student Fee Petition requesting a refund or reduction in their
charges. Fee petitions are available in the Online Forms section of
MyWings under Student Resources.
On occasion a denied fee petition may be appealed. The Ombuds’ role in a
fee petition appeal is to assist the student in developing a statement with
documentation that supports the initial request with additional new or
clarified information. To assist in the development of an appeal the
student should provide a copy of the initial petition with all supporting
documentation to the Ombuds for his review, as well as any supporting documentation that clarifies or corroborates the student’s request.
Additional information on fee petitions can be reviewed on the Controller's website.
Academic Policy
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Students who feel they have serious
extenuating circumstances may submit a petition of academic policy in an effort
to receive an exemption or have a policy waived.
Extenuating circumstances are
normally situation-specific and beyond the
student’s control and may include but are not limited to:
- Call to active duty
- Death in immediate family
- Incapacitating illness
- University-based administrative issues
- Personal and sensitive issues
Completing a petition does not
guarantee that a particular policy will be waived.
All petitions must include supporting documentation in order to be
considered.
Petitions are considered exceptions and are
evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
A student seeking to petition an
academic policy should consult with their academic adviser prior to initiating
the process. The Student Petition of Academic Policy form is located on
the One-Stop Services. In the case of a request for Personal and
Sensitive Issues, the student may speak to the Ombuds who can document the
situation without disseminating specific personal information to other offices
and individuals.
University Based Complaints
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Students are encouraged to resolve university concerns by
contacting the campus office responsible for the area relevant to the
complaint. If dissatisfied with the response, the student may contact the
relevant area supervisor, director, department chair, or dean for resolution.
The Ombuds' role is to serve as a resource and designated neutral party
for those who may have a college-related concern or grievance. The Ombuds
does not impose solutions, but does identify options and strategies for
resolution by providing contact with appropriate college resources or serving
as a mediator, among other roles.
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