Student Petitions / Appeals

Academic Dismissal

A student who is dismissed from a SLIS program for academic reasons may request reinstatement to the program after one year. If three or more years have passed since dismissal, the student must re-apply. The student is disqualified from enrolling in any SLIS courses for a minimum of one year from the date of his/her dismissal from the SLIS program regardless of the student's status in another degree program of the University.

To request reinstatement, a student must write a formal letter to the SLIS Director. The letter must include at least the following information:

• Why the student is seeking reinstatement into the program;
• An explanation of what happened to cause the student to be academically dismissed;
• A statement indicating the changes the student will make to ensure future success in the program.

Send the letter to:
Director SLIS
University of South Carolina
1501 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 29208

The letter will be presented to the SLIS Admissions Committee. If the Admissions Committee cannot reach an agreement or if the decision is made to not reinstate the student, the letter will be taken in front of the full SLIS faculty.

Once a decision has been made, the Graduate School and the student will be notified in writing.

Please see Policy A5.01 – Cancellation of Admission to the School of Library and Information Science Graduate Programs

 Filing a Grievance

A grievable matter is defined as an allegation of failure of a faculty member to carry out teaching responsibilities as established in the Regulations and Policies section of the
Faculty Manual. (Grievances about the assignment of grades are excluded from this policy because the University has a specific process for dealing with that matter.)

Any student feeling that a grievance exists shall first address the grievance to the faculty member involved and seek solution of the problem. If, after conferring with the faculty member, the student feels that the grievance still exists, it shall be stated in writing in a memo to the Director containing the following:

• nature of the problem or complaint;
• reasonable evidence to support the case and background material;
• a description of what has been done to resolve the grievance.

The Director may confer with the involved faculty member to seek resolution, or appoint an ad hoc grievance committee to investigate the matter, or take both of these actions. If the Director appoints a grievance committee, the committee will:• conduct a full inquiry into the grievance.• invite the student and the faculty member to appear before them to present evidence to be accompanied by a reasonable number of advisors of their choosing. The investigation shall be conducted under such rules and procedures as the committee may adopt, the intent being to conduct a full and impartial inquiry into the matter.

• to hear any witnesses requested by the student and the faculty
member. Both parties shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses.
• to submit to the Director as promptly as possible, but in no case later than five days after the hearing, a report of the committee's investigations and a recommendation with respect to the grievances.

The Director will make a final decision in the case within two days of the receipt of the Grievance Committee's report and will inform the student, the faculty member, and the members of the Grievance Committee of the decision in the case.
The student may initiate further action through the administrative channels of the University. (See STAF630 0504).

See Policy A5.30 Grievance Procedure

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.