Appeals Process

Undergraduate Student Requests for Exceptions to Academic Policies
Graduate Student Requests for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Undergraduate Student Requests for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Exceptions to Undergraduate Academic Policies

Several of the more frequently requested exceptions to undergraduate academic policies are outlined below. The exemptions chart summarizes the nature of the appeal and each of the levels in the appeal process. Students should direct questions about any of the appeals listed in the chart to the office listed under the first level in the appeal process. Many appeals will be resolved at the first level. Questions about appeals not listed in the chart should be directed to the Dean of Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning, ADM 447.

Undergraduate Admission and Readmission

Level Office
First Admission Counselor
Second Assistant/Associate Director, Admissions
Third Director, Admissions

Undergraduate Evaluation of Transfer Credit

General Education
Level Office
First Supervisor, Evaluations
Second Director, Advising Center
Third Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning
Major Course
Level Office
First Department Advisor
Second Department Chair

Undergraduate Student Fee

Level Office
First Student Financial Appeals Committee Designee
Second Student Financial Appeals Committee
Third VP, Business and Finance

Undergraduate Retroactive Degree

Level Office
First Graduation Evaluator
Second Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning
Third Board of Appeals and Review

Undergraduate Residency

Level Office
First Admissions Specialist
Second Residency Specialist
Third General Counsel, Chancellor's Office

Undergraduate Late Registration

Level Office
First Instructor/Department Chair

Undergraduate Graduation Denial

Level Office
First Graduation Evaluator
Second Follow route appropriate to specific cause of denial

Undergraduate Grade Appeals

Level Office
First Instructor
Second Department Chair
Third College Dean

Undergraduate Academic Load: Excess Units

20 – 24 Units (Students with Majors)
Level Office
First Major Advisor
Second College Dean
20+ Units (Undeclared Students)
Level Office
First Advisor, Advising Center
Second Director, Advising Center
Third Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning
25+ Units
Level Office
First Major Advisor
Second College Dean
Third Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning

Undergraduate Academic Disqualification

Students with Majors
Level Office
First Department Chair
Second College Dean
Undeclared Students
Level Office
First Advisor, Advising Center
Second Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning

All University Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

Level Office
First Consult with Advising Center advisor for appropriate referral

General Education Requirements

Level Office
First Advisor, Advising Center
Second Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning

Undergraduate Course Waiting List Objections

Level Office
First Instructor
Second Department Chair
Third College Dean

Undergraduate Course Prerequisite

Level Office
First Instructor
Second Department Chair
Third College Dean

Undergraduate Major Requirements

Acceptance of Course Work
Level Office
First Major Advisor
Second Department Chair
Third College Dean

Graduate Student Requests for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Exceptions to Academic Policies

Listed below are some of the more common graduate student requests for exceptions to academic policies of the University. The chart indicates with whom each type of request is initiated and any subsequent levels in the process that may be either optional or required. Any questions regarding the procedures for the appeals listed, or about any appeals that may not be listed, should be directed to the Division of Graduate Studies, ADM 254.

Graduate Late Application for Admission

Level Office
First Recommendation of Graduate Coordinator or Program Chair
Second Director, Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Third Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Waiver of 3.0 GPA Admission Requirement

Master's Degree and Credential Objective Students
Level Office
First Recommendation of Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Reinstatement

Unclassified Students
Level Office
First Director, Graduate Admissions and Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Classified and Credential Objective Students
Level Office
First Recommendation of Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second College Graduate Coordinator or College Dean
Third Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Late or Retroactive Add of Culminating Experience Classes (i.e., 893, 894, 895, 898)

Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Late Application for Award of Degree

Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Continuing Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Extension of Time to Make-up Incomplete Grade

Level Office
First Recommendation of Instructor or Chair of Program Offering Course

Graduate Retroactive Change of Incomplete Already Reverted to F Grade

Level Office
First Instructor
Second Department Chair

Graduate Term Unit Overloads

Level Office
First Graduate Advisor
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Leave of Absence Request for Classified Students

Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Appeal of an Assigned Grade

Level Office
First Instructor
Second Department Chair
Third College Dean

Retroactive Granting of Post-Baccalaureate Status for Course Work Taken While in Undergraduate Standing

Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Third Registrar

Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) Appeals

Course Substitutions
Level Office
First Graduate Advisor, College Graduate Coordinator, or Department Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Waiver of 12 Unit Pre-Program Limitation Requirement
Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Exceed 30% CR/NC Grading
Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Acceptance of Transfer Units
Level Office
First Graduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Waiver of Seven Year Requirement to Complete Degree or Certificate
Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Program Chair
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Election of Bulletin Requirements to be Followed
Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Continuing Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
Most Other Advancement to Candidacy Requirements
Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Continuing Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Late Registration and Fee Payment

Level Office
First Instructor/Department Chair

Graduate Student Fees

Level Office
First Student Financial Appeals Committee Designee
Second Student Financial Appeals Committee
Third Vice President, Administration and Finance

Graduate Appeal of Residency Status

Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Continuing Student Services
Second General Counsel, Chancellor's Office

Graduate Course Challenges

Level Office
First Program Chair
Second College Dean or Associate Dean

Graduate Assessment of Course Prerequisites

Level Office
First Instructor of Course
Second Program Chair
Third College Dean or Associate Dean

Acceptance of Any Course in ATC Program Requirements

Level Office
First Graduate Advisor or Coordinator of Graduate Program
Second Program Chair
Third College Graduate Coordinator
Fourth Dean, Graduate Studies

Graduate Course Waiting List Appeals

Level Office
First Instructor of Course
Second Program Chair
Third College Dean or Associate Dean

Graduate Retroactive Award of Degree

Within One Year
Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies
More than One Year
Level Office
First Coordinator, Graduate Student Services
Second Dean, Graduate Studies