Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Procedures

1. Introduction

Any denied undergraduate applicant may appeal the University’s admissions decision. This document describes the procedures to be followed for appealing negative admissions decisions, including a decision to rescind an admission that has already been granted.

Students with disabilities who need accommodations in the appeals process should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to request such accommodations.

Students seeking to appeal a decision after a Pre-Admission Safety Review should refer to the Student Admissions Safety Review section REG11.30.03 of the ECU Policy Manual.

2. Procedure

The following procedure is for undergraduate applicants who are denied admission (appeals for applicants denied admission based upon a criminal background or other disciplinary action should refer to REG11.30.03 of the ECU Policy Manual):

• 2.1 A denied applicant who wishes to challenge the denial must first request a second review on the merits by the Admissions Appeal Committee (AAC). The AAC is a standing committee of nine (9) members comprised of representation from academic affairs, faculty, student affairs, administration and finance, and the enrollment services team.
• 2.2 Requests for review, including any additional materials the applicant desires to submit, must be received in writing prior to the term for which the applicant is seeking admission.
  • 2.2.1 If there is insufficient time to complete the review before the beginning of the term for which the applicant seeks admission, which shall mean less than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the semester, the AAC may decline to perform the review.
• 2.3 The AAC will complete a holistic review of the student’s credentials, including any additional materials the applicant submits, and will render a decision in writing to the applicant within ten (10) business days (excluding weekends and University holidays) following the meeting of the AAC at which the review takes place.
• 2.4 If an applicant is denied admission by the AAC, the applicant may appeal the AAC’s decision only if the appeal alleges that the University discriminated in offering access to its educational programs or activities based on the following protected classes: race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status (including relationship or association with a protected veteran; or Active Duty or National Guard service).
• 2.5 The applicant’s appeal must be in writing, must set forth with specificity the grounds for the appeal, and must be directed and delivered to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Operations for all undergraduate applicants within ten (10) business days of the applicant’s receipt of the AAC appeal decision.
• 2.6 If the applicant’s appeal is not timely submitted, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Operations may decline to review the appeal. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Associate Vice Chancellor will review the applicant-appellant’s file and appeal letter.
• 2.7 The Associate Vice Chancellor will communicate their decision to the applicant-appellant in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Operations is final.