College of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog

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Appealing Grades and Other Academic Matters Not Pertaining to Academic Integrity Issues

A student may appeal the grade she or he received in a course. Grounds for an appeal are limited to capriciousness, errors of fact, or evidence of bias on the part of the instructor, and it is the responsibility of the student to provide evidence that an appeal is warranted. The belief that an instructor graded in too difficult a manner, assigned too much work for a given course, and the like, are not grounds for a grade appeal. Grades on individual assignments, tests, or other measures of student learning are not appealable except to the extent that they affect the final grade a student received in a course.

Students wishing to appeal grades or other academic matters not related to academic integrity issues should follow this timeline and process:

  1. Discuss the concern with the faculty member involved no later than two weeks into the beginning of the subsequent academic term of the issuance of the final grade to initiate an appeal. If the student remains unsatisfied or if the instructor is separated from the University, the student should:
  2. Appeal to the department chairperson or program director in writing within five working days of discussing the grievance with the faculty member. Include the circumstances of the grievance, specific concerns, and a possible remedy. The student should make an appointment and meet with the chairperson or director. It is the responsibility of the department chair or director to collect evidence from the student and the faculty member, if the faculty member is not separated from the university, prior to making a decision. The student will be notified in writing of the chairpersons’ decision within five working days of the meeting. If the student remains unsatisfied or if the faculty member who issued the grade is the department chairperson, the student should:
  3. Appeal to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies in writing within five working days of notification by the chairperson’s or director’s decision. Include in the written document circumstances of the grievance, specific concerns, and a possible remedy. The student should make an appointment and meet with the Dean. It is the responsibility of the Dean to collect evidence from the student, faculty member, if the faculty member is not separated from the university, and the department chair or program director prior to making a decision. The student will be notified in writing of the Undergraduate Dean’s decision. In all cases, the decision of the Dean is final.

In cases where no evidence of capriciousness, errors in fact, or bias exist, the original grade will remain. In cases where evidence of capriciousness, errors in fact, or bias does exist, either the department chairperson, program director, or the Dean will administratively change the grade to a more appropriate grade and notify the instructor of the grade change within five business days.