Appeal of Academic Suspension or Dismissal

Appealing your Suspension or Dismissal:

The Appeals Form will open for students after final grades are submitted for the semester. 

Your online appeal form and all supporting documentation MUST be received by the published deadline to guarantee its consideration by the Academic Appeals Review Board.

How to submit your appeal:

1. Complete the online Appeals form (available after final grades are submitted), answering all questions and attaching documentation to the online form. Save a copy of your appeal submission for your records. Students who expect to be suspended after the current semester can prepare their responses ahead of time. The appeals form asks at least two questions:
   • What led to your academic difficulties?
   • Explain your plan to rectify your academic challenges.
   • If your academic difficulties were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you will be asked to explain the specific circumstances caused by the pandemic and how they impacted your academic performance.
2. Attach documentation to the form to support all statements you make about reasons for your appeal or extenuating circumstances. Without a written answer to each question AND supporting documentation, the Appeals Review Board cannot make a decision on your appeal.
3. All appeals must include supporting documentation. If you make a statement on your appeal, also provide supporting documentation for that statement. If in doubt, provide more documentation.
4. Examples of documentation to support statements in your written appeal: 
   1. Letter from physician/medical provider/mental health provider or copy of official diagnosis, treatment, and dates that you were ill or hospitalized, documenting your ability to return to school
   2. Legal documentation, police reports, etc.
   3. Recommendation letters from your professors, counselors, or advisors
   4. Pay stubs or proof of employment
   5. Copy of death certificate or obituary
   6. Other documentation to support the written statements on your appeal (this is not a comprehensive list of possible documentation)

The Academic Appeals Review Board will meet to review appeals. The Board will notify students of the decision of the Board by Catamount email. Results of an appeal cannot be given to anyone but the student who submitted the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Review Board is final.

If you have any questions about the appeals process above, please contact the Office of Student Retention. Email retention@wcu.edu or call 828-227-7171 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).