Appeals and Petitions

Requests for Academic Relief

Students have the right to request academic relief from marks assigned by instructors on tests, assignments and final examinations.

The order of requests are as follows:

  1. Instructor by informal consultation
  2. Department chair by written request
  3. Faculty Associate Dean (Academic) which offers the course by written request

If the instructor is unavailable for consultation or does not act, the student may proceed to the Departmental level.

Deadline to submit your request:

A: Term marks

  1. request to the instructor must be submitted as soon as possible after the original mark is assigned;
  2. written request to the Department Chair must be submitted within 3 weeks of the instructor's decision;
  3. written request to the Associate Dean (Academic) must be submitted within 3 weeks of the Chair's decision

B: Final Grades

  1. request to the instructor must be as soon as possible after the final mark is issued;
  2. written request to the Department Chair, depends on the time of year:
    • January marks = January 31
    • April/May marks = June 30
    • Intersession marks = July 31
    • Summer Evening/Distance Studies marks = August 31
    • Summer Day marks = September 15
  3. written request to the Associate Dean (Academic) must be submitted within 3 weeks of the issuance of the Chair's decision.


Note:
The Office of the Ombudsperson is available to assist you in the preparation of your request for relief.


Requests for Relief: Decanal Level

The Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities is responsible for dealing with student requests for academic relief at the decanal level.

All requests must be in writing and include the following information:

  • the nature of the petition
  • the grounds for requesting the relief
  • original supporting documentation (for Physician support, the Student Medical Certificate; for other support, it must be in letter form and on letterhead)
  • supporting letters from other parties if they bear directly on the request for relief


Appeals may be sent via email to arts@uwo.ca addressed to: 

 

Dr. Karin Schwerdtner 
Associate Dean, Academic (Acting)
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
University College, RM 2230
The University of Western Ontario
London, ON N6A 3K7
  
Ensure that you keep a hard copy of all of your files and emails. And if you have not received a response that your petition has been received, email again.

Appealing to the Senate Review Board Academic (SRBA)

The Deans' rulings in academic matters can be appealed to the Senate Review Board Academic (SRBA). It is the final body in the appeal process and its decisions are final. The deadline for an appeal to SRBA is six weeks after a decision has been issued by the Dean. For more information about appeals to SRBA see the Academic Calendar and the Ombudsperson’s website 

Waiver of Progression Requirements

Students who have been required to withdraw from university have the right to petition for a Waiver of Progression Requirements when they have had serious medical or compassionate issues which inhibited their academic year.

Print and complete the Waiver form and be sure to submit before July 4th of the calendar year in which you were required to withdraw. This deadline is strictly enforced.

Petition for a Waiver of Progression Requirements

Read the form carefully and answer the questions clearly and succinctly.