Definitions

An appeal package is the documents that a student must file to submit their appeal. An appeal package must include:

• A completed, signed, and dated Notice of Appeal Form
• A copy of the decision from the divisional appeals committee or equivalent denying the appeal
• A copy of all the materials submitted to the previous appeals committee whose decision is being appealed (including any evidence, petition forms, email correspondence, etc.)
• A statement setting out:

1. The grounds of your appeal (e.g., medical)

2. The remedy sought (e.g., late withdrawal without academic penalty, permission to write a deferred exam, etc.);

3. A brief description of the background to the appeal; and

4. Additional information, if any.

See What Documents do I need to File my Appeal? for more information.

A person who represents the interests of the student or division.  Oftentimes, a student's legal representative is a law student from Downtown Legal Services (DLS), which is a legal clinic with experience representing students in the academic appeals process. The DLS Office located on the University of Toronto campus and provides free legal services to levy-paying students.  Due to limited capacity, DLS is not able to accept every request for assistance.  If the clinic is not able to help you, it will try to offer suggestions of other places you can look for legal information and assistance. 

A Notice of Appeal is a document that informs the Academic Appeals Committee and the faculty/division that the student intends to appeal a decision.  This is the Notice of Appeal form used at the Academic Appeals Committee: Notice of Appeal. 

A specific action requested by a student to correct a decision made by their Instructor/division regarding their academic work or the applicability of any academic regulation to the student. For examples of remedies, please see: What remedies are available?

The Reply is the student's reply to the division's Response.  It addresses only new information/material that the division has raised in its Response, and does not repeat arguments that were raised in the initial Notice of Appeal.  Students have 14 days to complete and file the Reply Form and all supporting documentation

Once the student has filed his or her completed appeal package with the ADFG Office, the division will generally be given 60 days to complete and file the Response Form and all supporting documentation to the appeal.  The Response will address any issues the student has raised in his or her Notice of Appeal.

Any documentary evidence that the student or division intends to rely upon in the academic appeal process (e.g. U of T medical certificate, email correspondence, petition forms, financial statements, etc.).

The Academic Appeals Committee’s jurisdiction refers to its authority to decide academic appeals in accordance with its Terms of Reference. A chair may dismiss an appeal if they determine that they do not have the authority to make the requested decision. See the Rules of Practice and Procedure for more information.

An appeal is considered frivolous if it has no merit or legal basis, and it is considered vexatious if it is meant to harass the other side or abuse the AAC’s process. These appeals can be dismissed without a hearing because they have no reasonable chance of success.

Submissions are the arguments made to support an appeal, as opposed to evidence.  Submissions for any part of a proceeding must not exceed 40 pages and must be double-spaced, unless the Senior Chair or a chair assigned to the appeal permits otherwise.