What a YUGSA advocate can do
Listen to your concerns carefully and take them seriously
Direct you to information regarding the appeal mechanisms so you can understand the policies, procedures, and practices that are appropriate for the given situation
Discuss possible solutions
Advise you on how to rectify the situation
Offer to make inquiries to obtain facts when appropriate
Keep confidential records of your case
What the YUGSA cannot do
The YUGSA takes an advisory role for students seeking advocacy. The student is expected to carry out the majority of the work. The YUGSA will not fill out forms on the student’s behalf for the Petitions Committee or the Appeals and Academic Honesty Committee, and is not a law office or legal service.
How to prepare your case
Know the policies and procedures of your program, department, and faculty. With over 50 graduate programs at York University, we may not be familiar with the rules and regulations specific to your program.
Know academic policy and procedures. The “I didn’t know” defense almost always ends with the student losing the case, which may have adverse consequences for the student’s academic and/or professional future.
Tell your advocate the truth. The GSA will not be able to defend you against issues we do not know about.
Grounds for Appeal
You may have grounds for an appeal based on:
New evidence
Procedural irregularities
Gross injustice or error
Guidelines for Filing Appeals
Follow the guidelines for the appeals process. Various appeals committees will have deadlines when forms need to be handed in
Follow the policies of programs, departments, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the appeals committees. Failure to do so will adversely affect the outcome of the case
Present evidence to support allegations of bias or discrimination
Develop an argument that is coherent and focused
Document all aspects of your case