Have you ever needed support in an academic or non-academic-related concern involving your time at MRU? Check out the top three reasons why students seek out the support and services of the Student Advocacy Resource Centre (SARC). SARC aids students in a variety of ways including the process of appealing grades, addressing allegations of academic and academic misconduct, and meeting preparation and support. SARC does not advocate and speak on behalf of students or represent them in front of the larger Mount Royal University institution; rather helps to support students in ways they can advocate appropriately on their own behalf. “At SARC we support students in various ways from more serious concerns of misconduct to other training such as writing strong emails and navigating resources”, says David Gomez, Student Support Coordinator.

Never have I ever…

Never have I ever wanted to review or appeal a grade I received

Grade appeals happen on three levels seen below containing Final Grade Reviews and the Final Grade Appeal. David, the Student Support Coordinator, suggests students attempt the first two levels of the process, before addressing the situation at the third level.

Level 1 Final Grade Review: Consultation with the instructor to review and discuss the concern.

Level 2 Final Grade Review: Meeting with the Chair. The instructor may be CCd on an email. Students must write a detailed explanation of the concern and must include the grounds (see the document to see which grounds apply for your specific concern) for the grade review. HERE

Level 3 Final Grade Appeal:  Meeting with MRU representatives in the style of a panel interview, the student is asked to advocate on their own behalf to the panel. The Student Support Coordinator is available to support students during this process.

Students can find the appropriate forms to appeal or review a grade officially through MRU HERE

For more detailed information on these formal processes please visit grade appeals.

Never have I ever wondered what would happen if I was accused of plagiarism or cheating 

This depends on the circumstances surrounding the misconduct. In very serious cases of academic or non-academic misconduct, a Panel Hearing may be convened. As a result, a notation of misconduct may be placed on your transcript for a prescribed time. The Student Advocacy Resource Coordinator can aid you at any time during this process and attend the hearing as support. There are different stages to the misconduct process based on the severity and nature of the situation:

1st Incident: Many first year students run into allegations of student misconduct and plagiarism, but this can also be due to academic negligence. A meeting is held between student and one staff person at Student Community Standards (SCS). You will mostly likely speak with either Karen Parsons or Darlene Saltesz. The meeting is to take steps to learn and avoid plagiarism in the future – Plagiarism workshops at Student Learning Services Office, general, or tailored to the specific student. At this stage it is not common to get notation on your transcripts.

David suggests to check out resources like Purdue Owl, to avoid any allegations of academic misconduct.

2nd Incident: Panel Hearing (for now).. The student receives package detailing all pertaining documents to the misconduct case: complaint from instructor, document from SCS. After the hearing, the outcome will come in 5-10 business days. The outcome will explain the decision that was made, and include the results/outcomes for the student. Workshop, fail the course, fail the assignment /test, suspension, expulsion, or nothing.

Other incidents: Panel hearing for more serious repercussions for repeated non-academic/academic misconduct cases.

For more detailed information on these formal processes please visit the misconduct FAQ and the SCS MRU webpage.

Never have I ever felt I did not have the preparation or support I needed to address an issue with an instructor, so I just left it alone and moved on

SARC can act as a meeting attendant through the Student Advocacy Resource Coordinator. They may attend meetings between students and MRU faculty/instructors and/or staff in formal university processes (i.e. final grade appeal) and may take notes at a meeting with the informed consent of all parties prior to the date of the meeting.

For more detailed information on these formal processes please visit the list of SARC services.

If you are impacted by these academic issues, contact David Gomez, Student Support Coordinator, with an email introducing yourself, your concern, and some outcomes you hope to see through advocating on your own behalf with the help of the Student Advocacy and Resource Centre.