The Academic Appeals Board handles the following processes and procedures for academic appeals. It consists of three faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly for three-year terms. The Dean of Students, or designee, and a Professional Academic Advisor will be additional non-voting members of the Appeals Board. The faculty members on the Board will select the Chair. The Registrar serves as convener of the Board and as a non-voting member.

Academic Appeals Dates

Spring 2024 appeals:

All Appeals- Second Date: August 7, 2024

Summer 2024 appeals:

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: September 20, 2024

Grade Appeals: September 20, 2024

Fall 2024 appeals: 

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: November 8, 2024

Grade Appeals: November 22, 2024

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: January 7, 2025

Grade Appeals:  January 17, 2025

Spring 2025 appeals:

 Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: March 21, 2025

Grade Appeals: March 31, 2025

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals:  June 11, 2025

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals- Second Date: August 6, 2025

Summer 2025 Appeals:

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: July 18, 2025

Grade Appeals: July 28, 2025

Suspension or Dismissal Appeals:  August 29, 2025

Grade Appeals: September 15, 2025

Appeal of Suspension or Dismissal

Procedure

A student may appeal an academic suspension or dismissal by following these steps:

  1. The student must fill out the ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM, which will be emailed to them upon notification of suspension or dismissal. This email will come from the Registrar in the Office of Student Records.
  2. Upon receiving the student’s submission, the Registrar shall notify the Academic Appeals Board that an appeal has been submitted.  The Board shall review the submission(s) of appeal and other relevant documents, schedule meetings as appropriate, and/or other direct communication with the student. The Academic Appeals Board will inform the student of its decision via email with a formal notification letter attached within two weeks of reviewing the student’s appeal.
  1. If the student disagrees with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, the student may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision shall be final and not subject to further review.

Academic Appeal – Appeal of Academic Policy Decision

Purpose

To establish an appeals procedure for a student with a grievance concerning the rules of the University relating to academic policy including but not limited to leaves of absence and withdrawals after the deadline and academic forgiveness.  To be considered, an appeal of academic policy must be initiated within two weeks of the date of the official notification of the decision.

Procedure

A student may appeal an academic policy decision by following these steps:

  1. In order to guarantee fair and equitable consideration, a student must first prepare an appeal in writing and meet and discuss it with the University employee whose actions gave rise to the grievance in a good faith attempt to resolve any misunderstanding. If, after such a meeting, the student is not satisfied with the result, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals Board. The student should email the Registrar at umpireg@maine.edu. 
  2. The student will be provided an ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM, which must be completed and submitted no more than 2 weeks after the date of notification. The Academic Appeals Board will provide a decision in writing within two weeks of the date of the appeals hearing.
  3. If not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, either party may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. This request must be received in writing no later than two weeks after the date of the Appeals Board’s written decision in Step 2. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision shall be final and not subject to further review.

Academic Appeal – Appeal of Grade

Purpose

To establish an academic appeals procedure for a student with a grievance concerning a final grade or instances of perceived unfair treatment which a student believes may have negatively impacted his or her final grade. It is the intent of these provisions to guarantee fair procedure rather than to interfere with the prerogative of the faculty to evaluate the quality of a student’s course work.  Pursuant to the UMS Student Appeals Policy for Academic Affairs, this process “provides each student an objective review of an academic grievance.”

When to Appeal a Grade

A student may appeal only the final grade for a course.  A grade may be appealed when a student believes that an inaccurate final grade has been assigned through an unfair or inequitable grade issuance, inconsistent grading practice, or calculation error. 

In all cases, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate that a grade has been unfairly or incorrectly assigned.

An appeal must be made in writing, submitted either through email or post mail, to be considered.

Issues of academic dishonesty are adjudicated separately from an Academic Appeal under the terms set forth by the UMS Academic Integrity policy.

Procedure

A student may appeal a final grade by following these steps:

  1. The student must discuss the concern directly with the instructor involved within 14 calendar days of the last published date of the semester/ session.  This can occur in person or through distance technology, including email. If the instructor does not respond to the outreach within 5 business days, the student may proceed directly to step 2. 
  2. Should a student feel the matter insufficiently resolved following a discussion with the instructor, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals Board. The student should email the Registrar at umpireg@maine.edu.  The student will be provided an ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM to complete the appeal; the Office of Student Records can provide the necessary guidance in the completion of the form and any required materials .  This appeal must be made within 14 calendar days following the discussion with the instructor, and include: instructor; course/section/session; semester/year; and request to change grade from __ to __. The student is encouraged to consult with their faculty or professional advisor for assistance. The Appeals Board will provide a written decision to both parties and the Provost within two weeks of receiving the student’s appeal.
  3. If either party disagrees with the decision of the Board, the party may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. This request must be received in writing no later than 14 calendar days after the date of the Academic Appeals Board’s written decision in Step 3. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision is final and not subject to further review

Approved 9/1/24; Revised 8/14/24