Student Academic Appeals Policy

Student Responsibility and Expectations

A student is expected to relate to the University’s standards and to the individual professor’s classroom regulations and course expectations in a positive way.  Students must be courteous toward the professor and refrain from conduct which disrupts the learning process.

If a student has a grievance against a professor with regard to a grade received, a discipline received for academic dishonesty, or other teacher action affecting the student’s standing, the student shall first respectfully speak to the professor about it (as Jesus instructed in Matthew 18:15: “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you”).

The Academic Appeals Process

If an acceptable resolution is not reached between the student and the professor, or if the student finds the professor unapproachable the student should speak to the Dean of the school or college in which the professor teaches.

Again, if an acceptable resolution is not reached, or if the professor is the Dean, the student may appeal to the Provost.  A form for this purpose is available on the webpage of the Office of the Provost.

If the matter remains unresolved, the student will have seven days to request (in writing to the Provost) a hearing by the Academic Affairs Committee.

A vice chairman designated by the president for the specific case shall preside over the hearing in the event that there is conflict of interest involving both the Provost and the vice chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee.

The student, the professor, and vice chairman may limit testimony if it becomes irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious.

Testimony by other parties shall be received by the Committee only when it is unable to determine the facts of the case from the testimony of the involved parties.

By a majority vote the Committee may decide for the professor or the student, or may reach a decision which arbitrates between the two if it feels that both views presented are incomplete. (Board action-February, 1984).

The action of the Academic Affairs Committee shall be final.

In cases of severe incompatibility with a professor or with the University’s standards, the student shall voluntarily withdraw from the class or from the University rather than promote disunity.

School of Education Appeals

In the event that a student believes the his/her application to, retention in, and progress through the program lacks substantiation, or has been unfair, the student has the right to appeal within thirty days of such action or decision taken by the School of Education.  The following procedure must be followed:

The student must submit to the School of Education, a copy of the notification of denial and supporting documents, along with a clear, concise statement explaining in writing how the student believes the petition decision lacks substantiation or has been unfair.  The statement should also include any new information that would shed light on the issue, but should not simply re-state what was in the original petition.

The Provost will review the documents submitted and if they are complete and in order, will refer the appeal to the Academic Affairs Committee.

The student may desire to present his/her appeal to the Committee in person, in which case the student should so state in writing at the time the appeal is filed.

The student will be notified in writing of the action of the Academic Affairs Committee no later than fifteen days following the filing of the appeal, excluding weekends, holidays, and breaks between semesters.

If the Academic Affairs Committee denies the appeal and the student wishes to pursue the matter further, an appointment should be made within seven calendar days with the Provost by contacting his/her Administrative Assistant.

Academic Honesty Policy

Northwest University expects honesty from students in all areas, including their academic lives.  Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of Christian standards and may result in the students’ receiving an “F” in the course, being dismissed from the course, or possibly being dismissed from the University.  Instances of academic dishonesty are typically reported to the Office of the Provost.

Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or examinations, submitting the same (or essentially the same) paper in more than one course without prior consent of the current assigning professor(s), sabotaging another student’s work, and plagiarizing.  Plagiarism is “using someone else’s ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness” (MLA).

Any student disciplined by a faculty member for alleged academic dishonesty has the right to appeal the disciplinary action.  The student should follow the procedures outlined in the Student Academic Appeals Policy, which is available in the Office of the Provost.