Graduate Academic Appeals
Graduate students registered in the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), may appeal substantive or procedural academic matters, including grades, evaluation of comprehensive examinations and other program requirements; decisions about the student’s continuation in any program; or concerning any other decision with respect to the application of academic regulations and requirements to a student (SGS General Regulations 11.1).
With the exception of appeals related to Termination of Registration and Final Oral Examination failure, appeals are initiated within the student’s home graduate unit first, at the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC).
Academic appeals are heard only from a person currently registered in the School of Graduate Studies or who was registered at the time the ruling or action was taken. Students must file an appeal within eight weeks after the date of the decision being appealed. See the appeals policy in the General Regulations in the SGS Calendar for further information on timing.
The decision resulting from the GDAAC may be appealed to the Graduate Academic Appeals Board (GAAB). The decision of the GAAB may be appealed to the Academic Appeals Committee of the Governing Council.
Students may not appeal admissions decisions, fees and the voluntary withdrawal from a graduate program.
Initiating an Appeal to the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC)
Students must first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor or other person whose ruling is in question. Should the matter not be resolved with the instructor, and should the student wish to pursue the matter, the student must discuss the matter with the graduate coordinator or associate chair of the graduate unit. Should such discussions fail to resolve the matter, the student may then make a formal appeal in writing (see Notice of Appeal form below) to the Chair of the Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC).
After receiving the Notice of Appeal, the Chair of the GDAAC will provide the person, or persons who made the decision being appealed with a copy of the Notice of Appeal, and request a written response. This response, along with the student Notice of Appeal will be considered by the GDAAC committee.
The GDAAC committee will make a recommendation to the Chair of the Department, who will render a decision. See the GDAAC Guidelines below and the appeals policy in the General Regulations in the SGS Calendar for further information.
2023-24 DSR Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee
The Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee (GDAAC) is a committee established under the authority of the Graduate Chair or Graduate Director of a Graduate Department, Centre, or Institute. This Committee constitutes part of the overall academic appeals procedures available to graduate students within the University of Toronto. More details on the role of the GDAAC are here.
For 2023-24, the Committee members are:
Professor Walid Saleh, Chair
Professor Marsha Hewitt
Professor Judith Newman
Professor Harry Fox
Student Rep: Grace Feeney
Any graduate student wishing to contact the committee can email the Chair at walid.saleh@utoronto.ca.
In the case of conflicts of interest regarding an appeal, alternate committee members will be appointed as necessary.