Procedure for Appeal of Grades
Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic
performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The
establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic
performance are the responsibilities of the instructor.
This grade appeal procedure is available only for the review of allegedly
capricious grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the
student's academic performance. Capricious grading, as that term is used here,
comprises any of the following:
- The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other
than the performance in the course;
- The assignment of a grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course; (Note: Additional or different grading criteria may be applied to graduate students enrolled for graduate credit in 300- and 400-level courses.)
- The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's
previously announced standards.
Appeal Procedures
- The student should first discuss the course grade fully with the
instructor of the course. This must be done within six weeks after the
beginning of the succeeding regular academic semester.
- If the matter cannot be resolved by consultation with the instructor,
the student should use the departmental grade-appeal procedure. Every academic
unit (school, College or department) must have a set of appeal procedures that
are to be made available to students on request. These procedures will specify
the manner in which the departmental review of the challenged grade will be
conducted.
- If the matter is not resolved at the departmental level, an appeal can
be made to the academic dean, in accordance with the school's or College's
appeals process.
The decision of the dean will be communicated to the student, the instructor
and the department.
- If the matter is not resolved within the school or College, the student
may appeal to the chancellor or designated representative. This appeal must be
made within 10 consecutive calendar days after notification of the decision of
the dean.
- The chancellor or designated representative shall review the full
record of the case and appeal documents. At this level, the chancellor may
appoint an ad hoc academic appeals committee to review the record and provide
advice on the matter.
The decision of the chancellor, or designated representative, is final and will
be communicated to the student, the instructor, the department and the dean of
the school or College.
