GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK - Biola University

Scholarship Appeals. Appeals on financial aid awards and policy decisions regarding student aid
are to be made to the University Scholarship Committee. You may contact Financial Aid, Metzger Hall.
Course Appeals. If a candidate would like to take a course concurrently with a pre-requisite
course or out of course sequence, he or she must submit a course appeal form to the School of
Education. The appeal form is available in the School of Education office. The appeal form will be
reviewed by professors of the courses involved and by the Graduate Chair or Teacher Preparation
Director. The final decision rests with the Graduate Chair or Teacher Preparation Director. If the
candidate does not agree with the final decision made by the Graduate Chair or Teacher Preparation
Director, the candidate can then schedule an appointment with the Dean of the School of Education.
Decisions rendered by the Dean are final.
Field Placement Appeals. Please see Student Teaching Handbook.
http://www.biola.edu/academics/education/undergrad/
2. Policy for Non-Academic Grievances and Appeals
Grievance procedures have two related functions:
a. To determine whether or not an injury alleged by the student (grievant) was the result of an
erroneous decision of the University regarding the implementation of university policies and procedures
or their administration; and
b. If error is established, to determine an equitable redress for the student.
NOTE: The interpretation or judgment of university administrators regarding the meaning of the written
regulations of the University, or of the Implementation of the Mission Statement and Behavioral
Standards, or the regulations themselves are not within the scope of the appeal process.
Students are not immune from legal or judicial processes arising as a result of their actions and any
disciplinary actions and/or proceedings taken by Biola do not replace federal, state of local law.
Informal Appeal Procedures. The student and the appropriate university administrator or
professor should first attempt to resolve the problem before an appeal to a formal mechanism is made. In
cases where this informal appeal is unsuccessful in resolving the problem to the student's satisfaction,
the student should share the grievance with the Dean of the School of Education. The Dean will make a
personal effort to resolve the grievance, unless, of course, the problem is between the Dean and the
student.
Formal Appeal Procedures. When informal procedures have failed to resolve a conflict, the
student (grievant) may request a Dean‘s hearing. There are two formal appeal and hearing procedures:
(1) Dean‘s Hearing and (2) Committee Hearing. A Dean‘s hearing and a committee hearing. If the
appeal is from a decision previously made by the Dean, the grievant may request a committee hearing. If
the appeal is not from a decision previously made by the Dean, the grievant may request either a Dean‘s
hearing or a committee hearing.
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