PSU Ombuds Office

PETITION AND APPEALS INFO

 

Many common problems have established appeal or petition procedures. This page provides you with appeal and petition information and instructions. If you are not sure what procedure to follow, the Ombuds Office can help students sort out how to address problems for which there is no clear process.

Occasionally you may be confronted with situations that may cause you concern or inconvenience. These may include incomplete information, confusion about deadlines, or lack of clarity in a course syllabus. If you think a problem exists, several avenues of appeal are open, depending on the nature of the problem and your need.
Don’t procrastinate.

You will have a better chance of success the sooner you begin an appeals process. In most cases, the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to resolve your problem.

11 APPEALS WORK

1 ACADEMICREQUIREMENTS COMMITTEE
The Academic Requirements Committee decides on student petitions regarding academic regulations, such as credit loads, transfer credit, and graduation requirements for all undergraduate degree programs. The ARC also decides on student petitions regarding initial undergraduate admissions. Forms and a one-page handout are available at the Degree Requirements window, Neuberger Hall lobby 503-725-3412, or you can download them here: Academic Requirements Committee Petition.

11 SCHOLASTIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE
This committee assists undergraduate students in difficulty with scholastic regulations. The SSC decides on undergraduate student petitions that request the waiving of regulations on suspensions. The SSC advises the Registrar on matters concerning transfer students or students who are seeking undergraduate re-admissions after having had scholastic deficiencies. To retroactively waive a deadline, download the Petition to Waive Deadlines from Prior Terms. To request re-admission to the University, download the Petition for Reinstatement. Information and forms are also available at Registration, Neuberger Hall lobby. Grade appeals or other complaints based on charges of discrimination or sexual harassment should be taken to the Affirmative Action Office, 503-725-4417, 122 Cramer Hall.

1 ACADEMIC APPEALS BOARD
The Academic Appeals Board hears appeals from students who claim to have received prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation and makes recommendations on cases to the Provost. In the spirit of University collegiality, every effort should be made to resolve complaints, or potential grievances about grading and academic evaluation, informally by discussion between the student and the faculty member involved in the situation. If the student is not satisfied, they may take the matter to the department chair/director, then to the dean of the school or college. The student may file an appeal by writing a letter to the Academic Appeals Board. A two-page information sheet outlining the necessary information for inclusion in the student's letter is also available here: Academic Appeals Guidelines. Students may contact the Office of Affirmative Action [503-725-4417, 122 Cramer Hall] in situations where specific incidents or discriminatory patterns of behavior are alleged.

1 DEADLINE APPEALS BOARD
Students may petition the Deadline Appeals Board for exception from published deadlines such as late registration fees or late class changes. Petitions may be submitted before or after the deadline has passed and must include documentation of the reason for missing the deadline. Information and petition forms may be obtained at an Admissions & Records window in the Neuberger Hall lobby. You may also download the forms here: Deadline Appeals Board Petition.

1 PARKING APPEALS
If you would like to contest a parking citation you may submit a petition online. Petitions must be filed within 14 days of the original citation. If a petition is not filed within this time limit it will be automatically denied.

1 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLAINTS
All Portland State University students should familiarize themselves with the PSU codes, policies and procedures. Students who receive a formal charge of violating the Student Code of Conduct can elect to have the Conduct Committee hear their case. In special situations, mediation may be possible. Since the student codes, policies and procedures may be revised term to term, it is the responsibility of the student to view revisions.

 

Throughout the grade appeal process, the Ombuds Office, 169 Cramer Hall, is available to students and instructors for assistance on procedures and clarification of the rights of all parties.