Student Petitions / Appeals

  Process for Student Petitions to the Faculty

  1. In the event of course-related complaints or disputes, the student must first appeal to his/her instructor for a resolution to the matter and should do so within 30 days after the first class day of the next semester/session. Exceptions will be granted in which appeals may be considered after this time period given extenuating circumstances.

2. If a complaint or dispute is not satisfactorily resolved between the student and the faculty member, the student may make a petition to the Director of the School of Library and Information Science and the Faculty Members for review.

3. A petition to the Director and the Faculty Members should be in writing and should bear the name, student number. Direct the petition to:

Dr.Samantha Hastings, Director of the School of Library and Information Science
102 Davis College
University of South Carolina
Columbia , SC 29208

From: your name, student number

Date:

Subject: Petition for Reinstatement to Degree Candidacy in the MLIS program

First- give the background of what the reasons are that you are seeking a reinstatement...list the courses and the grades, semester taken.

Second - Explain the circumstances of what happened to cause the F and D+, or what circumstances existed that prevented you from doing you best academic work.

Third - List all course work submitted, if it was all submitted.

Fourth - A positive, good statement about what would change to prevent this from happening again.

Please sign the letter.

You may use whatever format you like, but include the points listed above.  

II. Appeals of Academic Decisions to the Graduate School

Appeals seeking to reverse or modify decisions made at a lower level of authority should be filed with, and pursued according to the established procedures of, the student's academic unit. Students should file appeals with the graduate dean only after the internal processes for appeals and grievances have been exhausted. The Graduate School will accept appeals on academic matters only. Disagreement with a grade assigned in a course is not a basis for appeal to The Graduate School, but should be directed to the instructor. Appeals must be submitted in writing and must bear the name, student number, and signature of the appellant. Student appeals for reversal of departmental decisions are only accepted for consideration when questions such as inequitable application of regulations, bias, conflict with regulations, or extenuating circumstances are cited as grounds for appeal. Students may contact The Graduate School for guidelines on the appropriate form and content of appeals.

The graduate dean will attempt to resolve the appeals filed with The Graduate School and will refer unresolved issues to the Graduate Council, whose decisions are the final actions taken within The Graduate School. Any further appeal must be directed to the Office of the Provost.