Grade Dispute Appeal Process
If you believe that your final course grade is incorrect due to a clerical or calculation error, a decision that seems out of character in the context of the course, or if it doesn't align with the established grading criteria outlined in the course syllabus, you have the right to file an appeal. Make sure to provide evidence to support your claim. Keep in mind that there are deadlines for each stage of the appeal process. If you don't file the required paperwork within 30 calendar days of the end of the semester in which the concern occurred, you won't be able to appeal. It's essential to meet all deadlines to ensure your appeal is considered.
Step 1:
You'll need to discuss the concern in dispute directly with the instructor.
Step 2:
If you're unable to resolve your concern with the instructor and you want to take it further, reach out to an Academic Advisor. They'll give you an Academic Appeal form.
After getting the form, complete it and submit a detailed written document within 10 business days of meeting with the Academic Advisor. This document should summarize the facts and data from your perspective. Make sure to meet the deadline for submitting all supporting materials. If anything is missing by the deadline, your appeal will proceed without them. Once your appeal is received, the Academic Advisor will pass it on to the instructor.
The instructor will review your appeal and provide a written response within 10 business days. The Academic Advisor will then share this response with you. If your concern remains unresolved, the appeal will move to Step 3.
Step 3:
The Academic Advisor will send both the Academic Appeal form and any written documents to the Dean or their representative. Within 10 business days, the Dean or their representative will make a decision and send the appeal back to the Academic Advisor.
After the decision is made, the Academic Advisor will let you know. You'll have five business days from the notification to indicate, in writing on the Academic Appeal form, whether you accept the decision or if you want to move forward to Step 4.
Step 4:
If you're not satisfied with the outcome of Step 3 and you want to take your concern further, your Academic Advisor will reach out to the chair of the judiciary council and send them all the documents. Within 15 business days of getting your appeal, the council will meet to address your concern.
The council, chaired by the Director of Student Affairs or someone they appoint (who won't vote), will include two students, two faculty members from different programs, and a program director from a different division than the one related to your course.
You and your instructor can both speak to the council, but they won't consider any new documents. After they reach a decision, the chair will write a report and add it to your file. You'll get a copy within five business days. The council's decision is final, but you and your instructor can write responses that will also be included in your file. There won't be any more chances to appeal after this.