Legal protection for students: appeal, objection, complaint

If you are a current, former of prospective student or “extraneus”, and you do not agree with a decision or the behaviour of a staff member or a department of Wageningen University, you have the possibility to submit an appeal, an objection or a complaint. If you are considering submitting an appeal, an objection or a complaint, please first read the information below.

Appeal or objection

1. For whom?

You can submit an appeal or an objection if you are registered as a student or “extraneus” at Wageningen University, if you have been registered as such or if you plan to be registered as such.

2. When can you submit an appeal or an objection?

You can submit an appeal or an objection when you disagree with a decision taken by a staff member or department of Wageningen University. This must concern a decision about you personally. You cannot submit an appeal or objection against a general regulation.

In general, it is better if you first try to reach a solution with the person involved. A study counsellor can help you with this. Please note that you must submit your appeal or objection within 6 weeks after the decision has been made known to you. For more information about this, see point 4.

Examples of decisions against which you can submit an appeal or objection:

Appeal: decisions of the Examining Boards and examiners • decisions taken on the ground of binding study advice • decisions about having successfully passed the final examination • decisions about being admitted to the Bachelor’s or Master’s programme • decisions about prerequisites (required previous courses or profiles) • decisions on the basis of an admission assessment • decisions about specialization(s) after the propaedeutic phase of the bachelor’s programme • refusing to make one of these decisions or making the decision too late.

Objection: decisions about registering for enrolment, terminating enrolment, tuition fees, etc. • decisions about financial regulations for students, such as the Student Financial Support (FOS) Regulation • measures, such as refusing access to the buildings or grounds or terminating enrolment • refusing to make one of these decisions or making the decision too late.

3. What happens with your appeal or objection?

Your appeal or objection is submitted to the electronic counter for appeals, objections and complaints, which is part of the Corporate Governance & Legal Services department. After the appeal or objection has been received, you will receive a notice of confirmation. The person responsible for the decision will first be consulted about the possibility of reaching a friendly settlement. If that is impossible, then, in principle, a session will be held at which the Examinations Appeals Board (appeal) or the Arbitration Committee (objections) will hear the parties involved.

4. What is the period in which an appeal or objection must be submitted?

An appeal or objection must be submitted within 6 weeks after the decision has been made known to you.

If the 6-week period is at risk because, for example, you yourself are still trying to reach an informal solution, it can be advisable to submit a “pro forma” appeal or objection in which you explain this.

5. Where can you find more information about appeals and objections?

In the Student Charter, in the section on legal protection for students.

6. How do you submit an appeal or objection?

Fill in the form for appeals or objections and motivate your argument as clearly as possible (you can continue to write in the field indicated even though the space seems limited). Attach the necessary documents and mail the form to legalprotection.students@wur.nl

7. Further questions?

Send an e-mail to legalprotection.students@wur.nl or make an appointment with the student counsellor.

Complaint

1. For whom?

You can submit a complaint if you are registered as a student or an external student at Wageningen University, if you have been registered as such or if you plan to be registered as such.

2. When can you submit a complaint?

You can submit a complaint if you disagree with the behaviour of a staff member of or a department of the university towards you and for which it is not possible to submit an appeal or objection.

Before submitting a complaint to the electronic counter for appeals, objections and complaints, you should first try to reach a solution with the person or persons involved. A study counsellor can help you with this.

NB:

  • Complaints about or problems with buildings and grounds (lighting, window shades, cleaning and so forth) should be submitted to servicedesk.facilities@wur.nl
  • Do you experiece transgressive behaviour/improper manners such as bullying, discrimination and/or (sexual) intimidation? Contact confidential counsellor for students (also if your complaint is about another student).

3. What happens with your complaint?

Your complaint is submitted to the electronic counter for appeals, objections and complaints, which is part of Corporate Governance & Legal Services department. After the appeal or objection has been received, you will get a letter of confirmation and your complaint will be sent to a complaints coordinator.  

4. What is the period in which a complaint must be submitted?

A complaint must be submitted within 1 year after the behaviour leading to your complaint occurred.

5. Where can you find more information about complaints?

In the Student Charter, in the section on legal protection for students.

6. How do you submit a complaint?

Send your complaint to the electronic counter for appeals, objections and complaints via legalprotection.students@wur.nl. State your name: on legal grounds, anonymous complaints cannot be taken into consideration.

7. Further questions?

Send an e-mail to legalprotection.students@wur.nl or make an appointment with a study counsellor.