A reconsideration request is a formal request asking the committee to review a previous decision. This might include a postponement of a student’s return from medical leave of absence.
This request asks the committee to review or change their decision based on the following:
- There is new, important information that wasn’t available during the original meeting (through no fault of the student) and this information could change the outcome.
Below are some examples of reasons for which reconsiderations are NOT granted (this list is not exhaustive):
- Provider paperwork was submitted by the student after the window closed (December 1 for spring reinstatements or July 1 for fall reinstatements).
- A student did not know, forgot or missed the deadline.
- A student submitted an incomplete application or did not get provider forms from each provider they worked with during their MLOA.
- A student disagrees with the decision or didn’t participate in the MLOA process.
- A student began presumptive planning such as leasing an apartment, buying a plane ticket or moving back St. Louis early.
- Other university financial concerns.
Reconsiderations must be submitted in writing within seven calendar days of notification of a postponement decision, providing a clear description for the request that includes the following:
- Grounds for reconsideration in accordance with the reason being there is new, important information that wasn’t available at the time of the original meeting through no fault of the student.
- An explanation supporting the request for reconsideration (limited to 500 words), including any documentation demonstrating the student’s efforts to contact their provider and obtain the required provider documentation prior to the deadline.
- Example: a student contacted their provider two months prior to the reinstatement deadline and reminded their provider consistently, and the provider sent in the required paperwork two days after the deadline.
- Copies of any new documentation that was not included in the original reinstatement application.
Appeal request
An appeal request will initiate a review to examine that the committee operated within the University’s rules and procedures guaranteeing an equitable process. It does not overturn a previous decision. Appeals require the completion of paperwork. The appeals committee will look at the information from the original committee meeting, anything submitted through this form, and the findings of the MLOA reconsideration committee.
The appeals officer, whose decision is final, review may result in the following findings:
- A substantial procedural error is demonstrated, and, in the reasonable judgment of the appeal officer, the error is sufficiently significant that it may have affected the original decision.
- Affirm the original finding.
If a procedural error was discovered, the appeals officer will make a recommendation for next steps relative to the case. Appeals must be submitted in writing and provide a clear description of why the student believes a procedural error in the MLOA process has occurred and how that error impacted the outcome. Appeals must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the date of the notification of the reconsideration decision.
The appeal will be determined by the Vice Chancellor for Student Success or their designee. The current Appeal Officer is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Health and Well-being, who can be contacted as follows:
Kirk Dougher, PhD
k.dougher@wustl.edu
Associate Vice Chancellor for Health and Well-being
Discrimination, harassment or bias
Washington University values inclusive excellence and human dignity and strives to foster an environment in which all community members are respected and able to take part in academic, co-curricular and social activities. Because of these values, the University developed a system through which students, faculty, staff and community members who have experienced or witnessed incidents of bias, prejudice or discrimination can report their experiences to the Office of Institutional Equity.