Undergraduate students may appeal any final course grade they think are in significant violation of clearly established written policies, a result of improper procedures or discriminatory.
Before initiating a formal grade appeal, the student must consult with the instructor assigning the grade and present evidence why the student believes the grade to be in error. If this does not lead to resolution, the student may initiate, in writing, a formal grade appeal. To be considered, the written appeal must be submitted no later than the final day officially scheduled for the removal of incompletes, approximately four weeks after the beginning of the academic semester immediately following the term in which the grade was assigned. However, it may be in the student’s best interest to appeal sooner than this deadline if his/her academic progress is dependent on the outcome of the appeal. In addition, the student should consult with the college or school offering the course for which the grade is being appealed to determine if other requirements for the written appeal are in force.
The written appeal must be submitted to the chair of the department offering the course or, in schools or colleges with no departmental structure, to the associate dean. The written appeal must provide the reason(s) the student believes the recorded grade is incorrect. The student may present evidence of his/her performance and may also request that all other pertinent materials be supplied by the instructor. The chair or associate dean will collect and analyze the evidence in a timely manner. Evidence will be gathered through consultations with the instructor, the student and any witnesses. These consultations may be in person, by phone or by electronic means. Hard copies of relevant documents may also be requested.
The chair or associate dean will evaluate the appeal or choose to designate an ad hoc committee for this purpose. The chair, associate dean or ad hoc committee will consider the appeal and evidence and make one of the following decisions:
The decision will be communicated in writing within 30 days to the student and the instructor with copies of the formal response placed in the student’s file and forwarded to the dean and any indicated grade changes filed with the registrar.
The student has the right to appeal the decision of the chair, associate dean or ad hoc committee to the dean. This appeal must be submitted in writing no later than 14 days from the date of the formal response. The dean will review the procedural evidence, which now includes all the evidence previously gathered, the student’s appeal letters and the formal response from the chair, associate dean or ad hoc committee, and will render the final decision on the grade appeal. The decision will be communicated in writing within 30 days to the student and the instructor with copies of the formal response place in the student’s file and any indicated grade changes filed with the registrar.
Approved by University Board of Undergraduate Studies, Dec. 14, 2005.
Reviewed by Office of the General Counsel, Feb. 1, 2006.
Revised and approved by the University Board of Undergraduate Studies, March 1, 2006.
Approved by Academic Senate, March 20, 2006.
The Office of the Registrar is the official keeper of academic records including course registrations, grades, transcripts and diplomas.
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