Graduate Grade Appeal Process for Students

The instructor of the class is the primary authority with respect to a student’s proficiency and final grade in that course. A student who believes that his or her final grade reflects an erroneous, capricious, arbitrary, or prejudiced academic evaluation may appeal the grade. The academic judgment used in determining the merits of the grade to be awarded shall not be reviewable. This process does not apply to cases of academic dishonesty, which are adjudicated through the "academic dishonesty process."

  1. The student may file an appeal of his or her complaint, in writing, to the instructor within 30 days after a final grade is posted to the student’s record.  The instructor must respond within 14 days of receiving the appeal.
  2. If the student remains dissatisfied by the decision of the instructor under step (1), he or she may, within 14 days after formal receipt of the instructor's final decision, appeal, in writing, to the chairperson of the program (or the Dean of the College if the instructor is the chairperson) in which the course or other exercise or activity is offered. The chairperson must respond within 14 days of receiving the appeal. The decision may be: (a) that the appeal be dismissed; (b) if there is demonstrable evidence of an erroneous, arbitrary, capricious, or prejudiced academic evaluation, then the chairperson will recommend appropriate remedies that a grade be changed or the student be allowed an opportunity to retake an examination or other exercise; or (c) that another appropriate remedy be administered.
  3. If no satisfactory resolution is reached in step (2) then the student or the instructor may appeal, in writing, to the Dean of the College within 14 days after formal receipt of the chairperson's final decision.
  4. The Dean, after discussion with the appropriate parties, may resolve the grievance by agreement or render a decision within 21 days of receipt of the written appeal. The decision may be: (a) that the appeal be dismissed; (b) if the student provides demonstrable evidence of an erroneous, arbitrary, capricious, or prejudiced academic evaluation, then the Dean will recommend appropriate remedies that a grade be changed or the student be allowed an opportunity to retake an examination or other exercise; or (c) that another appropriate remedy be administered. 
  5. The decision of the Dean is final and not subject to additional appeal by either student or instructor.  The appeals process ends at this step.
  6. The Department chair or his/her designee is responsible for keeping a record of the appeal on file in accordance with University Records Retention Policy.