Academic Appeal

Previously recorded substandard academic performance may be disregarded if it is not reflective of a student’s demonstrated ability. Students must meet academic renewal criteria posted on the college website or in the catalog.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Academic Renewal” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your supporting documentation - If the renewal is based on coursework completed outside of West Valley – Mission College, the appeals committee requires official transcripts for their evaluation. Official transcripts should be sent to wv.transcriptsFREEWEST_VALLEY
4. Meet with a counselor to confirm eligibility

1. A course that has been taken 3 times with substandard grades (“D”, “F”, or “NP” and “W” included) is subject to review by the Academic Appeals committee for the fourth and final attempt. Once approved for a fourth and final attempt, students may not withdraw from classes in which they have been given permission to exceed allowable repetition.
2. If a college or licensing agency requires a higher grade or has a recency requirement for a class that was successfully completed, the student may submit an appeal to repeat the course.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Course Repetition” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • To repeat a course for the 4th and final attempt - submit an updated educational plan and documentation of extenuating circumstances
   • To repeat a course that was successfully completed with a passing grade – Submit official published documentation from a university or licensing agency that specifies a higher grade requirement or a recency requirement
4. Meet with a counselor - required to create an updated educational plan, obtain a supporting statement and signature

Withdrawal “W” – does not impact your GPA, does appear on your transcript, is recorded as an attempt to complete the class, and is not eligible for a refund.

For full term courses - A “W” grade will be recorded to the student transcript when a student withdraws from a full term course by the “Drop with W” deadline stated in the Academic Calendar.

For short term courses - A “W” grade will be recorded to the student transcript when a student withdraws between 20% and 75% of course completion.

Students may petition for a Drop with W prior to a letter grade being posted to their academic record.

Note: The Academic Appeals Committee does not have the authority to change a grade.

Once a letter grade has been posted to your academic record, the instructor is the only person who has the authority to make a change.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Withdrawal” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • Example documentation: Proof of last day of attendance, hardship or faculty correspondence, etc.
4. Meet with a counselor if assistance is needed

A student may withdraw from a semester length class through the end of the 2nd week and no notation will be made on the student’s academic record. For short term courses, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 20% of the period of instruction, and no notation will be made on the student’s record.

After the drop deadline, students may petition for a “Drop without W” during the current semester under “extenuating."

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Nonevaluative Symbols” under Grading System in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • Example documentation: Proof of non-attendance, hardship or faculty correspondence, etc.
4. Meet with a counselor if assistance is needed

An Excused Withdrawal (EW) does not impact your GPA, does appear on your transcript, is not recorded as an attempt to complete the class, and is not eligible for a refund.

Appeals are reserved for students who can demonstrate extenuating circumstance or hardship beyond their control that impacted their ability to successfully pass their course.

Students seeking hardship relief for an unsatisfactory grade can speak to a counselor regarding their eligibility for an Excused Withdrawal.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “EW - Excused Withdrawal” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • Example documentation: Extenuating circumstance – Illness, family emergency, job transfer, immigration action, etc.
4. Meet with a counselor if assistance is needed

A student who has been dismissed may submit a petition to for readmission explaining extenuating circumstances that affected their academic performance. Please note readmission students must submit a new appeal each semester until their GPA rises to a minimum 2.0 and unit completion rate rises to a minimum of 50%.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Readmission” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • Example documentation: Extenuating circumstance – Illness, family emergency, job transfer, immigration action, etc.
4. Meet with a counselor – required to create an updated ed-plan, obtain a supporting statement and signature

• Refund related to dropped classes: A student who has not dropped their course registration within stated deadlines may appeal for a full refund.
• Exemption of basic fees: A student may request an exemption of basic fees prior to the add/drop deadline.

Prepare your Appeal Petition

1. Review “Refunds” in the College Catalog
2. Write your student explanation
3. Obtain your required supporting documentation
   • Example documentation: Extenuating circumstance – Illness, family emergency, job transfer, immigration action, religious documentation for Health Services waiver etc..