The Faculty and Student Issues Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Graduate College dean regarding appeals and petitions. The committee also reviews and makes recommendations regarding policies governing appointment to and termination of Graduate Faculty status. The Graduate College Dean may refer grievances from graduate students or graduate faculty to the committee for review and recommendation.

The Graduate College Appeal Process

The Graduate College appeal process consists of four steps that will ensure that the graduate student receives due process in response to an academic appeal. The signing of the appeal form and rendering of decisions by the graduate coordinator, department chair, college dean, and graduate college dean are each separate steps that ensure that appropriate individuals at each level of authority have considered all relevant UNLV policies and the relevant and comprehensive documentation provided by the graduate student in support of the appeal. The intent of the appeal process is to promote appropriate resolution of the academic issue and to facilitate the appropriate remedy for the student at the level closest to the student’s degree area as possible.

Faculty & Administrator Responsibilities

  1. Faculty and administrators are responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all policies within the UNLV Graduate Catalog, UNLV Handbook(s), and existing departmental policies.
  2. Faculty and administrators designated on the appeal at each level of authority are responsible for thoroughly reviewing the appeal and all supporting documentation provided by the graduate student, applying the appropriate existing policy, rendering a timely decision, and signing the appeal form.

Graduate Student Responsibilities

  1. Graduate students are responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all policies within the UNLV Graduate Catalog, UNLV Handbook(s), and existing departmental policies.
  2. Graduate students must adhere to all appeal instructions included on the Graduate College Appeal Form in order for the appeal to be considered.
  3. It is the graduate student's responsibility to provide a clear and concisely written statement of the appeal issue and to provide all relevant documentation to support/substantiate the appeal.
  4. Graduate students must submit the Graduate College Appeal Form in sequential order to the graduate coordinator, the department chair and the college dean for consideration and action prior to submitting the appeal to the graduate dean.
  5. Graduate students should begin the appeals process at the department level with a complete, clear, and thoroughly prepared Graduate College Appeal Form. Appeals related to courses or semester requirements must be submitted to the Graduate College within 60 days from the end of semester, or within 90 days from the inciting incident or catalyst for the appeal.

GALIC Meeting Process

To ensure fairness, consistency, confidentiality, and due process, the GALIC shall adhere to the following procedures when convening meetings that involve graduate students or other impacted parties. All GALIC committee meetings of appeals and legal issues will take place via online conferencing. No exceptions will be honored.

All GALIC committee meetings of appeals and legal issues will take place via online conferencing. No exceptions will be honored.

A formal written appeal or referral must be submitted in accordance with established institutional timelines and requirements. Appeals are submitted via Grad Rebel Gateway.

Graduate College shall verify jurisdiction, completeness of documentation, and procedural eligibility.

  • Committee members shall disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest related to the case.
  • Members with conflicts shall recuse themselves from all deliberations and decision-making related to the matter by contacting the GALIC Chair and the Graduate College prior to the meeting deliberations.

All relevant documentation shall be compiled and securely distributed to Committee members in advance of the meeting, typically one week prior to the GALIC meeting.

  • Materials must be in compliance with Graduate College practices and policies.
  • Impacted parties shall be informed of the materials under review, consistent with institutional policy.

Written notice shall be provided to all impacted parties that may include:

  • The appeal form
  • The date, time, and virtual link
  • Relevant documentation provided by impact parties
  • GALIC members shall review the case materials prior to the meeting.

The GALIC Chair or designee shall call the meeting to order and outline the process, expectations of conduct, and confidentiality requirements. The scope of the Committee’s authority and the standards guiding review shall be clearly stated.

  • Led by GALIC Chair, the Committee will confer and discuss the case prior to meeting any impacted parties 
  • The Committee shall reaffirm confidentiality obligations before proceeding to deliberations.

Each impacted party shall be given an equal and reasonable opportunity to present their perspective, evidence, or clarifications. The Committee may ask questions solely for purposes of factual clarification. Cross-examination or adversarial exchanges between parties shall not be permitted.

  • The student will present their case by giving a brief statement of their case and GALIC members will question the student to gain further clarity and understanding of the case. (20 minutes)
  • Student shall be excused after this segment.
  • GALIC will briefly confer after the student segment. (10 minutes)
  • The impacted faculty/unit will present their position by giving a brief statement of the case and GALIC members will question the faculty/unit to gain further clarity and understanding of the case. (20 minutes)
  • Impacted faculty/unit shall be excused after this segment.

The Committee shall reaffirm confidentiality obligations before proceeding to deliberations.

Deliberations shall occur in closed session to protect privacy and ensure candid discussion.

Decisions shall be based on:

  • Applicable institutional policies
  • Procedural fairness
  • Documentation and testimony presented
  • Relevant legal or regulatory considerations

The Committee shall reach a determination by majority vote unless otherwise specified by institutional governance. Possible outcomes may include upholding, modifying, or overturning the original decision, or remanding the matter for further review.

  • A formal written decision shall be issued within a defined timeframe using the standard GALIC reporting form.
  • The decision shall be sent to the appropriate Grad College personnel. GALIC recommendations are advisory to the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College for final decision.

  • All records shall be maintained securely in accordance with institutional record retention and privacy standards.
  • The GALIC and Graduate College shall periodically review cases to identify trends and recommend policy improvements.

Contact

Questions about the Graduate Student Appeals & Legal Issues Committee?

Dr. Emily Lin
Associate Dean
Emily.Lin@unlv.edu