Appeals Process & Mitigating Circumstances

By Dru Macasieb

Originally written: June 14, 2019

Hello Everyone,

Below is the appeals process for CCSD. This blog post also outlines what constitutes a mitigating circumstance. As a reminder, this is not an official guideline from the college, as current changes may not be reflected. Rather this is a resource that you may use that is to the best of my knowledge.  If you would like the official policy regarding this manner, please refer to the most current college catalog.

Below is direct verbiage from the college catalog 2019:

“A student dismissed for failing to meet the minimum standards of academic progress has the right to appeal the dismissal. The appeal must be done in writing and submitted in the form of a letter to the Dean. The letter must include the following:

1. Explain the reasons why the student was unable to meet the minimum standards of academic progress including any mitigating circumstances;
2. Provide documentation in support of any mitigating circumstances (i.e. court orders, emails, receipts, obituary, doctor’s note);
3. Describe what has changed that will allow the student to be able to meet the minimum standards of academic progress; and
4. Detail what the student will do moving forward to ensure that he or she will be successful in his or her program of study and will be able to achieve the requirements for graduation.

The appeal will be reviewed by an institution Appeals Panel. The student may be requested to meet with the Panel to discuss the appeal and provide additional information. Once the appeal letter and documentation are reviewed, the student will be notified if his or her appeal has been granted or denied.

If the appeal is granted, the student may be reinstated to his or her program of study. The student is placed on academic probation for one evaluation period, and during that time, access to financial aid is reestablished. If the appeal is denied, the student will not be allowed to reenter institution nor will the student be allowed to transfer to an affiliated institution within the system.

Mitigating circumstances are those conditions which the student has little control over, and most often have an adverse effect on academic progress. Mitigating circumstances must be documented and are limited to the list below:

1. Death of an immediate family member;
2. Illness of an immediate family member where the student Is the primary caretaker or is the primary source of financial support;
3. Student illness requiring hospitalization;
4. Abusive relationship;
5. Prolonged divorce proceeding;
6. Previously undocumented disability;
7. Work-related transfer during the evaluation period;
8. Change in work schedule during the evaluation period;
9. The unexpected loss of employment;
10. Natural disasters
11. Financial hardship such as foreclosure or eviction; and
12. Loss of transportation where there is no alternative transportation.”

Disclaimer: As a reminder, the contents of this article are the opinion-based and that these opinions do not reflect the ideas, ideologies, or points of view of California College San Diego or any of its affiliates. The information within the article is to the best of the author's knowledge and should only be used for entertainment and informative purposes, not for professional advice. Please see you an authorized school official for matters pertaining to your academic record and status.