Appeal of Academic Suspension or Dismissal
Important Dates & Deadlines
Academic standing is determined after each semester of enrollment (including summer). The appeal form will be available by the day academic standing is updated. Below are the anticipated dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:
| Semester | Date Academic Standing Updated | Appeal Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | May 12, 2026 | May 25 at 11:59pm |
| Summer 2026 | August 10, 2026 | August 12 at 11:59pm |
Appeal Information
Your online appeal form and all supporting documentation MUST be received by the published deadline to guarantee its consideration by the Academic Appeals Review Board. If you have questions about the required parts of the appeal, we encourage you to contact our office prior to the appeal deadline. Steps to submit your appeal:
1. Complete the online appeals form: Answer all questions within the appeal form. Personal statements attached as documentation will not be considered. Students who expect to be suspended after the current semester can prepare their responses ahead of time. Both questions have a 2,000 character limit. The appeals form asks at least two questions:
- What led to your academic difficulties?
- What is your plan to rectify your academic challenges?
2. Attach documentation in the appeal form: All appeals must include documentation to support all statements you make about reasons for your appeal or extenuating circumstances. Personal statements attached as documentaiton will not be considered. Examples of documentation to support statements in your written appeal:
- Letter from physician/medical provider/mental health provider or copy of official medical diagnosis, including treatment and dates that you were ill or hospitalized, documenting your ability to return to school
- Documentation supporting personal or family emergency
- Legal documentation, police reports, insurance reports, etc.
- Changes in employment or unexpected financial difficulty
- Employment termination notice or documentation demonstrating a significant change in financial status
- Copy of death certificate or obituary
- Letter of support from your professors, counselors, advisors, or professional reference. Please review guidelines and instructions for Letters of Support on this page
- Other documentation to support the written statements on your appeal. This is not a comprehensive list of possible documentation.
3. Sign and submit your form: Submit the form by the published deadline. You can save a copy of your appeal submission for your records.
Appeal Decision:
The Academic Appeals Review Board will meet to review appeals shortly after the published deadline. The Board will notify students of the decision by Catamount email. Results of an appeal cannot be given to anyone but the student who submitted the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Review Board is final.
If you have any questions about the appeals process above, please contact the Office of Student Retention. Email retention or call 828.227.7171 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).
Letter of Support Guidance
Letters should be from a professor, counselor, advisor, or professional reference.
Letters should not be written by family members, peers, or the student.
All letters should be supportive of the student returning to WCU. They should be concise and focus on the student's previous academic difficulties and plan to rectify in the future. You can include information about extenuating circumstances the student may have encountered or overcame during their academic challenges. The student will have access to the letter of support if they choose to review it.
- Students will start the form (link at top of page)
- Fill in all information about your reference. Enter the WCU email as @wcu.edu
- Enter the WCU email as @wcu.edu - or else - your person will not be able to fill out the form.
- Click "next" to electronically sign the form which will send a request to the reference. Your reference will receive the link to complete the form.
- Once the form is completed a confirmation email will be sent to the student and reference.
No problem! You will notice that the appeal form requires you to attach something. You can attach anything in place. We just ask that you tell us in your appeal that you will have a letter of support.
You can also talk with our office for suggestions on other types of documentation to include.
