Approved June 8, 2016
Content updated January 12, 2026
Committee terminology updated January 28, 2026
Undergraduate information revised February 3, 2026
Committee contact advisory added February 3, 2026

Overview

The policies and regulations of the University of South Carolina serve as purposeful guidelines and standards for students as they pursue degree objectives. Occasionally, individual students may feel they have grounds to seek exception from the uniform application of such regulations and policies. Undergraduate students may file written grievances, appeals or petitions to the Office of Undergraduate Student Services. Graduate students may file written grievances, appeals or petitions to the Office of the Dean (Contact: Dr. Lee Pearson) seeking to reverse or modify decisions made at a lower level of authority. Resolution of any written grievance must follow the procedures outlined in policies maintained by the USC Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support (STAF 6.27 Student Grievance Policy).

Types of Grievances, Appeals and Petitions

• The basis of an academic grievance shall be a complaint about a grade in a course or an absence that affects their final grade in a course or a violation of Teaching Responsibility policies contained in the Faculty Manual.
• A non‐academic grievance is a complaint by a student about an alleged action by a University employee which adversely affects the status, rights or privileges of the student.
• Grievances relating to discrimination by reason of age, color, gender, disability, national origin, genetics, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status will be referred to the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. In addition, the Student Disability Resource Center will assist students with disabilities with University grievance procedures. For purposes of this policy, harassment is considered to be a type of discrimination.
• Student petitions request waiver of or exception to school, department, or program regulations and/or requirements (e.g., waive residency requirement or request course substitution).
•  Student appeals request decisions made at a lower level of authority (e.g., program suspension or dismissal) to be reversed or modified.
•  NOTE: A student’s disagreement with the mark or grade placed on a work is not the basis for a grievance, petition or appeal. This should be discussed by the student and instructor, with final authority remaining with the instructor.
  
  

Procedures for Undergraduate Students for Petitions and Appeals

 The student must complete the Undergraduate Student Academic Petition form.

1. The student must request the link to the form from their ASPH academic advisor or the ASPH Office of Undergraduate Student Services.
2. Students should provide a detailed yet concise explanation of the petition and rationale behind it. Though not required, the online form allows for supporting documentation to be included in the petition.
3. Students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure that petitions are submitted in accordance with the applicable review deadline.
4. Petitions are reviewed by the ASPH Student Appeals Committee.
5.  If petitioner is applying for readmission to the Arnold School after missing a fall or spring semester, they must contact USC’s Undergraduate Admission’s Office to submit an additional application for admission consideration (http://www.sc.edu/admissions) or 803‐777‐7700
   
   

Procedures for Graduate Students for Petitions and Appeals and for All Grievances

1. A student who wishes to submit a grievance, petition or appeal within the Arnold School should first seek resolution with the faculty or staff member in question. If no satisfactory resolution is achieved, the student may pursue the matter further with the program director or department chair. The student must follow any additional procedures established by the program or department for this level of review; these procedures are not specified in this school policy and may require a written statement or other documentation from the student.
2. If not satisfied with the resolution at the program/department level, the student may seek resolution through the Office of the Dean (Contact: Dr. Lee Pearson). The designated associate dean will meet with the student and try to facilitate an informal resolution, if appropriate.
3.  If not satisfied with the informal resolution at the school level, the student may submit the grievance, appeal or petition in writing to the Office of the Dean (Contact: Dr. Lee Pearson). Grievances, petitions and appeals are heard by the ASPH Student Appeals Committee. This committee includes faculty members from each department and student representation; the dean cannot be a member of this committee. This committee will review the complaint only after the procedures outlined above have been exhausted and upon request of the student or faculty member concerned.
4. The student should provide any documentation relevant to the grievance, appeal or petition. The ASPH Student Appeals Committee may request additional documentation from the student and from the program/department.
5. The committee may schedule a meeting with the student if needed to discuss the grievance, appeal or petition and to clarify the documentation provided.
6. All parties are bound by the committee’s decisions unless either chooses to appeal the grievance further (e.g., appeal to Graduate Council).
7. Committee findings will be distributed to all concerned and a copy filed with the Office of the Dean within seven (7) calendar days of the meeting.

In accordance with the University’s Student Grievance Policy, the Arnold School will share the names of the ASPH Student Appeals Committee members with the student submitting a formal appeal once the appeal materials are received. Students and other interested parties are advised against contacting committee members directly, as doing so could negatively affect the appeal.