Graduate Student Academic Appeals

The Graduate Student Appeals Committee (GSAC) is comprised of graduate students and faculty members. They are tasked with reviewing and adjudicating graduate student academic appeals; that is, appeals related to academic program requirements and university regulations and policies.

Three Categories of Appeals

There are three categories of appeals that may be granted through an academic petition:

• An appeal may be filed on the grounds that the normal faculty or university rules, calendar requirements and/or Senate-approved regulations have not been properly or fairly applied to your circumstances.
• An appeal may be filed to request relief from a faculty or university rule, calendar requirement and/or Senate-approved regulation because of extenuating circumstances, such as medical or compassionate grounds.
• An appeal may be filed to request a grade reassessment.

In each category of appeals, the GSAC will review your circumstances and supporting documentation and exercise its discretion to decide whether or not to grant the petition. Petitions will not be considered for students who have graduated from the university or who have left their studies at Laurier for circumstances that occurred prior to the granting of their degree.

Deadlines for Submission

Petitions must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with all signatures and supporting documentation at least 10 days prior to the GSAC meeting. GSAC meetings occur on the third Thursday of each month. Petitions received after the submission due date each month are not guaranteed to be heard until the following month.

Upcoming Dates for the 2023 Academic Year

Related Forms

• Petition to the Graduate Students' Appeal Committee (GSAC) Form
• Graduate Program Change Request
• Request to Withdraw from Graduate Studies Form
• Notification of Parental Leave
• Notice of Extended Absence
• Request for Extension to Complete Coursework
• Supporting Medical Documentation Form