MRC Student Appeals Policy and Procedures

Purpose
 
This policy provides an appeals procedure to ensure that College policies and procedures are applied appropriately, fairly and consistently to all students.

Policy Statement:

In Mont Rose College all students have the right to appeal against decisions made under the College Policy and Procedures.

This appeals policy covers decisions made under the following Policy and Procedures:-

 Student Disciplinary
 Student Attendance
 Admissions
 Assessment
 Complaints and
 other decisions based on College regulations

Awarding bodies have their own appeals procedures in the case of appeals of an academic or examination nature.

 Responsibilities

• The Principal is responsible for the implementation and development of this policy
• All members of staff and students are responsible for the effective operation of this Policy and Procedure

Appeals Procedure

A formal appeal should be made only after the student has exhausted informal means of resolving issues.

Any student who wishes to make a formal appeal against a College decision should submit the appeal in writing within five working days of receiving notification of the decision; this should be sent to the Principal.

The letter or email of appeal should include a statement that clearly states the decision, which is being appealed, the basis for the appeal, and the remedy the student is seeking. The letter or email of appeal may include new evidence to support the appeal for any personal circumstances that the student wishes to be considered.

The College will acknowledge the letter or email of appeal in writing on same day.

An appeal hearing will be held to give the student every opportunity to personally explain the basis of the appeal. The student will be given a minimum of three working days notice of the time and date of the appeal hearing.

The student may choose to be accompanied by a representative or friend at the appeal hearing. The College should be notified, in writing prior to the meeting of any person who will be accompanying an appellant.

The appeal will be considered by the Principal, within five working days of receiving the letter or email of appeal. In circumstances whereby five working days is impractical, this period may be extended by the agreement of the College and the student.

Normally the decision of the appeal will be given to the student verbally and will be confirmed in writing within ten working days by the principal.
 
A written record of the appeal hearing will be kept in the Principals’ office.

The decision of the Principal is final and, subject to below, is not subject to further appeal within the College.

Further Appeals

Any student who wishes to appeal further against the operation of the appeal procedures (but not the decision itself) can do so in writing to the Academic Board.
 
A review of the documentation will be undertaken to check compliance with College policy and procedures. If the Academic Board deems that procedures have not been followed and that this may have had a bearing on the outcome of the appeal he may require a re-hearing to be convened by the Academic Board.

This panel will not include the Principal

Academic Board which is comprised of course leaders and senior managers.

A judgment will be provided in writing, normally within four weeks.