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18. Grievance Procedures, Right of Review and Appeal
Note: See Policy on Review by the University Visitor of Unresolved Appeals or Complaints by Students.
18.1 Candidates for a higher degree may request the RTSC to review a decision on any matter relating to the conditions of candidature, including the adequacy of supervisory arrangements and contact.
18.2 The right of review and appeal against the result of a Taught Unit shall be in accordance with the Academic Regulations.
18.3 If a candidate requests the RTSC to review a decision on a candidature-related matter, that request must be made in writing within thirty days of the date of the letter informing the candidate of the decision, and must set out the reasons in full.
The Chair of the RTSC shall review the decision in consultation with the Associate Dean and the Principal Supervisor and shall, within fourteen days of receipt of the request, inform the candidate of the:
- outcome of the review;
- process undertaken during the review; and
- reasons for the decision.
The Chair shall inform the RTSC and URC of the review and its outcome at its next scheduled meeting.
18.4 Appeals by candidates simply rejecting the assessment of the merit of their research or the result of the examination of the thesis will not be considered.
18.5 If a candidate requests the RTSC to review its decision to fail a thesis on procedural grounds, that request must be made in writing by the candidate within thirty (30) days of the date of the letter informing him or her of the RTSC Committee’s decision, and must set out the reasons in full.
The Chair of the RTSC shall consult with the relevant Associate and Executive Dean, Principal Supervisor and such other persons as may be appropriate and shall, within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the appeal, inform the candidate of the:
- outcome of the appeal;
- process undertaken during the appeal; and
- reasons for the decision.
The Chair shall also inform the RTSC and URC of the result of the appeal at its next scheduled meeting.
18.6 Notwithstanding the above provisions of this Regulation, candidates may exercise the right of appeal on procedural grounds only against the RTSC decision. Such an appeal shall be made to the Academic Board within thirty (30) days of the date of the letter of notification of the result of the review or appeal to the candidate.
