Petitions and Grievances

Right of Petition and Appeal

Students may present to either the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs or the Associate Dean of Continuing Education petitions requesting exceptions to specific academic regulations. Submission of a petition does not guarantee approval. 

In the event a petition is denied by an Associate Dean, students may appeal  within ten business days of receipt to the Committee on Academic Standing and Degrees (CASD), whose decision shall be final. All petitions and appeals are to be presented in writing together with the necessary supporting documentation.

Decisions rendered by University officials in response to the submission of any of the various academic forms mentioned elsewhere in these regulations shall be subject to appeal to the Provost. Appeals made under this provision shall conform to the timelines, criteria, and limitations above.

Grievance Procedure

Students who are dissatisfied with any aspect of the conduct of a course are encouraged to seek resolution to the problem.

• All academic petitions by graduate students are to be filed by the student through the Program Director for review and action by the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.
• All academic petitions by Associate's degree and Bachelor's degree-completion students are to be filed by the student through the Program Manager for action by the Associate Dean of Continuing Education.
• If an Associate Dean denies a student's petition, he or she may appeal the decision to the Vice President and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and, ultimately, to the Provost. 

At a minimum, the petition must carry a clear statement by the student of the request, the student’s signature or electronic signature, and the recommendation of the Program Director or Program Manager, as applicable. In addition, if the petition is for an exception to the academic regulations, the student must specify the grounds to be considered by an Associate Dean in determining whether an exception to regulations should be granted. Any petition for an exception that lacks justification will not be considered.

All recommendations require, if reference is made in the petition by the student to any Norwich University official (because of an alleged action or statement by that official which is germane to the petition), that official (faculty member or administrator) must provide a recommendation.

Procedure for Academic Issues

Dissatisfaction with the academics or instruction of a course should be expressed in writing to the course instructor. The student must address the specific course component or assignment he/she wishes to challenge.

• If no mutually agreeable solution is reached is reached with the instructor, the student may appeal, in writing, to the Program Director
• If no mutually agreeable solution is reached with the Program Director, the student may appeal, in writing, to the relevant Associate Dean,
• If no resolution is reached with the Associate Dean, the student may appeal to the Vice President and Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
• If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may appeal to the Provost for a final review. All appeals must be in writing.

Procedure for Administrative Issues

Dissatisfaction with the administrative services provided should be directed, in writing, to the student services advisor who will escalate the matter as necessary.