Student Appeal Procedure

upon the denial or abridgement of rights

If the student believes that his/her rights have been denied or abridged, it is essential that the person involved make an attempt to reach an agreement through informal discussions with the instructor and department chair.

Where informal recourse fails, the student may file a formal appeal in writing to the Lauby Teacher Education Center. Should the student wish to carry the appeal beyond the executive committee of the Council for Teacher Education, the appeal should be made to the full body of the Council for Teacher Education via the chair of the Council for Teacher Education. In all formal appeals, the student has the right to be represented by legal counsel and may be accompanied by and advised by a person of his/her own choosing.

Guidelines for submitting student appeals

Within 30 days from the date of the alleged act or decision took place, the student must submit a written appeal to the director of the Lauby Teacher Education Center. The director will informally discuss the situation with the student in an effort to determine what steps have been taken toward resolution. The director will then forward the appeal to the chairperson of the Council for Teacher Education.

The written appeal should:

be word processed
be signed and dated
include the local address and phone number
be concise and specific, with names and dates wherever relevant and possible
clearly state the act or decision being challenged
clearly state why the act or decision is unauthorized or unjust
briefly describe your attempts to reach an agreement through informal discussions with the instructor and department chairperson

Along with the letter of appeal, the student may include additional information in support of the student's grievance such as, but not limited to, the following: documents from advisors, supervisors or department personnel, letters or statements from those directly involved in the situation, transcripts of interviews, and other supporting evidence that would help clarify the student's position.

The executive committee of the Council for Teacher Education will act on the appeal. The student will be informed of the decision no later than 30 days after the petition has been received by the director of the Lauby Teacher Education Center. Upon receipt of the decision of the executive committee, the student may appeal to the full Council for Teacher Education.

Procedures to appeal to the full Council for Teacher Education

Upon receipt of the written appeal from the director of the Lauby Teacher Education Center, the chairperson of the council shall arrange for a swift and comprehensive investigation of the matter under consideration.
The decision of the review board shall be sent in writing to the complainant and other parties involved within 10 working days after the review.
The complainant may appeal the decision of the review board to the full body of the council. Such an appeal must be in written form and received within 10 working days after the review board decision. The council will schedule a hearing for a regularly scheduled meeting date. The decision of the council will be communicated to the student and other appropriate parties within 30 days of the decision.
In all matters regarding admission to teacher education, retention in teacher education and teacher certification, complainants have the right to be represented by legal counsel.

For detailed information regarding the format for the Council for Teacher Education hearing, the complainant should contact the dean's office in the College of Education.

(Council for Teacher Education Approved Procedures: 4-3-2007)