Appeal a Committee Decision, a Grade, or Other Issue

If you wish to request an exception to a university policy or have an issue that hasn’t been resolved to your satisfaction, or wish to appeal a decision, you may direct your inquiries as follows. The Department of Student Life team will be happy to assist you through the process. You also have recourse to contact federal, state, or accreditation agencies (contact information is toward the bottom).

Academic honor code

A student may appeal a decision regarding an Honor Code violation within 72 hours of receiving the committee’s written notification. Appeals must be in writing and provide the basis for the appeal in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Academic Honor Code. Appeals of decisions made by the course instructor are submitted to the department head for final review. Appeals of decisions made by a department head are submitted to the Academic Standards Committee for final review. Appeals of decisions made by the Academic Standards Committee or a subcommittee thereof are submitted to the Dean of Faculty of the university for final review.

Academic policies

Requests for exceptions to the university’s academic policies may be made in writing on the Academic Standards Petition form, available here. The petition is submitted to the Director of Academic Support and is reviewed by the Academic Standards Review Board, which usually meets weekly.

Campus safety violations

If you wish to appeal fines assessed for any violation, you must file a written appeal within seven days of issuance of the fine. Written appeals may be brought or mailed to Campus Safety, Verrill Hall, Room 43, telephone 641-472-1143.

Computer and network issues

If you wish to appeal a decision to restrict or suspend your computer or network usage, you may file a petition for reinstatement of computing privileges to the Dean of Students, 105 Dreier Building, studentlife@miu.edu, telephone 641-472-1225.

Equal opportunity policy

Inquiries regarding the university’s equal opportunity policies and practices should be directed to the General Counsel’s Office, Dreier Building, 2nd floor, croesler@miu.edu, telephone 641-472-1175.

Financial aid and student accounts

Requests for exceptions to the university’s financial policies may be made in writing on the Finance Review Board Petition, which is also available at the Enrollment Center in the basement of the Dreier Building. The petition is submitted to the Director of Student Accounts in the Enrollment Center and is reviewed by the Finance Review Board, which usually meets weekly.

Grades

Students who wish to appeal a grade should first discuss the matter with the course instructor. If that does not settle the appeal satisfactorily, then the student has until 30 days after the grade was sent out by the Registrar to file a written appeal with the department chair or, if the instructor was the department chair, with the Dean of Academic Programs (for undergraduate students) or the Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate students).

Special needs accommodation

Requests for academic accommodations should be directed to the Disability Officer. Appeals of decisions regarding academic accommodation shall be made to the Special Assistant to the President, whose decision shall be final. Individuals with disabilities who have access problems in any campus building or other needs are encouraged to bring their concerns to the Chief Administrative Officer.

Student life issues

Requests for exceptions to university policies regarding student life may be made in writing to the Dean of Students, Dreier Building, mventsias@miu.edu, telephone 641-472-1190.

Contact information

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, 800-621-7440
• Federal: US Department of Education
• State of Iowa: Iowa College Aid Commission, 877-272-4456
• Other state contacts for Distance Education Students