VP&S Academic Appeals Committee Procedure – For All VP&S Education Programs

  

Overview/Rationale

A student charged with an adverse action is entitled to notice of the findings, an opportunity to be heard and to appeal an adverse decision from their program to the VP&S Academic Appeals Committee and the dean of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S). *  

Accreditation Standards

Various Accreditation and curriculum requirements across Occupational and Physical Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Graduate Programs, Physician-Scientist, Human Nutrition, Psychoanalytic Training 

MD- Program LCME Accreditation Standard 9.9 Student Advancement and Appeal Process   

Stakeholders

VP&S students, program leadership, and faculty  

Procedures

I. Purpose  

The Academic Appeals Committee is established to provide a fair and independent review process for students across all academic programs at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S), not limited to the MD program. The committee serves as an appellate body for students seeking review of disciplinary or academic decisions made by Academic Review Committees or equivalent bodies within their degree program. This process ensures equity, and due process in academic and professional matters. 

 

II. Composition  

The Academic Appeals Committee shall consist of:  

  • Chair Appointed by the VP&S Dean of the Faculties of Medicine 
  • At least five VP&S faculty members voted on by the Faculty Council.  
    • No member of the Academic Appeals Committee may be a voting member on the Academic Review Committees or Student Competency Committees for any degree program at VP&S. (For the MD-Program, there can be no overlap in the committee members)  
  • One representative from the Columbia University Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI).  
  • Ex officio, non-voting members: a dean from the program’s Student Affairs Office and a representative from the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and/or other appropriate program designations. 
  • Other VP&S faculty members are added to ensure representation of the discipline of the learner involved.  
  • The term limits of committee members are 3 years, renewable twice. 
  • Voting Quorum for this committee to meet is: at least 3 VP&S faculty members and CSSI  

III. Functions  

  • Responsible for reviewing academic progression and infraction decisions made by the Academic Review Committee or equivalent body, upon student request for an appeal  
  • Prior to a final decision on an adverse action appeal, the Committee conducts a fact-finding hearing, allowing the student to present their viewpoint either in person or in writing. Students may bring a VP&S faculty member or advisory/associate dean as support. Students may consult an attorney, but attorneys are not permitted to be present during hearings or appeals.  
  • Hearings are non-adversarial: students are not required to be present to hear other witnesses, and there is no formal cross-examination or objection to evidence.  
  • The Academic Appeals Committee represents the faculty in all such matters when there is an appeal.  
  • If the Committee reaffirms the original decision, the student may submit a further appeal within seven days of notification to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine or their designee, who serves as the Appellate Officer and renders the final decision. No further appeals are permitted within the University. 

*The University-wide Rules of University Conduct govern conduct incident to demonstration, rallies, vigils and picketing and may displace "Dean's Discipline" in cases of serious violations 

Policy History/ Approval Date: The procedure for the Academic Appeal Process was taken from print-version student handbooks, Columbia University Standards and Discipline Handbook, VP&S Stated Rules of the Faculty (By-Laws) and other online formats. These documents were reformatted and codified into specific procedures, and edits were added.