Appeals to the Senate

The senate is the final appeal body at the University of British Columbia; it is a student’s last official recourse in the university process. As a review committee, the senate does not have the same flexibility or discretion as a faculty when dealing with student issues. Thus, it is best to discern whether there are other viable options available to resolve the problem. Often students will simultaneously pursue a senate appeal while also trying to resolve the matter at the faculty level.

There are three senate committees to which a student may appeal the decision of a University body: the Senate Admissions Committee, the Senate Committee on Student Appeals on Academic Standing, and the Senate Committee on Student Appeals on Student Discipline.

Senate committees must consist of five voting members unless the appellant and the faculty agree to fewer voting members. However, it is important to note that if an appellant agrees to fewer voting members such as four and there is a deadlock in the vote (two against two), the appeal is automatically dismissed.

Generally speaking, the Advocacy Office prefers to have students take as much responsibility for their own appeals as possible, including involvement in the formulation of reasons for appeal and the drafting of documents. It takes approximately 15 to 25 hours to gather information and to draft a statement of appeal and anywhere from two to six months to schedule a senate date after submitting the final statement of appeal.

Detailed information about the senate and its committees is available in the UBC Calendar and at the senate website where the terms of the senate and the senate minutes are accessible. Additionally, Amandeep Breen, academic governance officer for Senate and Curriculum Services, is a wonderful resource and will likely be able to answer any questions that you may have. She can be reached at 604-822-8141 or amandeep.breen@ubc.ca.

Note: The senate does not hear appeals based solely on the issue of tuition. If you wish to make an appeal regarding your tuition, you may submit an appeal package to the Registrars Office. Please refer to section on Appeals to the Registrar.