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West Virginia University Office of the Provost

Appeal of an Academic Penalty (Other Than a Final Grade, and Not Based on Academic Dishonesty)

The individual or chair of the committee who imposed an academic penalty must notify the student in writing via WVU e-mail of the academic penalty.

Prior to filing an appeal, students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to contact the individual or committee that imposed the penalty to express their concerns and attempt to resolve the issue.

Level 1 Appeal

  • The student may begin an appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 1 appeal reviewer within 10 class days after penalty is communicated to the student. The student’s appeal must include the documentation and evidence forming the basis of their appeal.
  • The individual or committee that imposed the penalty must provide all relevant documentation concerning the penalty to the Level 1 appeal reviewer upon their request.
  • The Level 1 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal.
  • Within 10 class days after student has submitted the appeal, the Level 1 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student and the individual or committee that imposed the penalty.
  • The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
  • If the student accepts the Level 1 appeal decision, the appeal is concluded.

Level 2 Appeal

  • If the student does not accept the Level 1 appeal decision, the student may continue their appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 2 appeal reviewer within 10 class days after the decision at Level 1 is sent.
  • The Level 1 appeal reviewer forwards all materials included in the appeal to the Level 2 reviewer on request. Both the student and the individual or committee that imposed the penalty may provide additional information if they wish.
  • The Level 2 appeal reviewer assesses the available evidence and makes a decision about the appeal based on that evidence.
  • Within 10 class days after student has submitted the appeal, the Level 2 appeal reviewer communicates the decision in writing via WVU e-mail to the student, the individual or committee that imposed the penalty, and the Level 1 appeal reviewer.
  • The reviewer retains all documentation related to the appeal for 5 years.
  • For undergraduate students, the appeal is concluded at this point.
  • For graduate and professional students, the appeal is concluded if the student accepts the Level 2 decision. If the appeal concerned a final grade or an academic penalty other than program dismissal, the appeal is concluded. If the penalty is dismissal from a program, the graduate or professional student may continue their appeal by submitting a written appeal via WVU e-mail to the Level 3 appeal reviewer (Associate Provost for Graduate Academic Affairs Richard Thomas). Please review the WVU Graduate Catalog for specific details.