Any student may appeal a grade by using the following procedures. Where mentioned, the words college, dean, and department head are the department or college in which the course being appealed is offered. A week consists of five business days or seven calendar days. Grade appeals are not processed during the summer term unless the dean determines a case warrants immediate review, such as those for students cleared for May graduation. Please note that a grade appeal is only available before a student's degree is awarded.
Before Initiating Appeal
To view reasons for an appeal, review Grade Appeal policy. Invalid appeals will be dismissed.
Step 1 | Student
Student Responsibility
What
If a conversation with the instructor does not resolve the matter, begin the process of submitting a grade appeal by utilizing the forms below. Students must attest in writing that they have informed the instructor of their intention to file a grade appeal.
Write a student statement and submit it with all documentation to the instructor, department head, and the Office of the Registrar.
When
By the end of the fifth week of the regular term after the term in which the grade was awarded.
Important Note
No additional documentation may be submitted after the initial appeal, unless requested by the instructor, department head, or dean.
Step 2 | Instructor
Instructor Responsibility
What
Respond to the student in writing using the form below.
If agreeing to the grade change: make the grade change and notify the student and the Office of the Registrar.
If not agreeing to the grade change: explain the grading procedures, how the grade in question was determined, and any other issues raised in the student's statement.
When
Within two weeks of receiving the student's written statement.
Student Responsibility
What
If the matter is not resolved, resubmit the appeal to the department head and the Office of the Registrar. Include the instructor’s response.
When
Within one week of the instructor’s response.
Step 3 | Department
Department Head Responsibility
What
Consider the student's and instructor’s written statements, confer with each, and notify the student, instructor, and Office of the Registrar of the recommendation using the form below of receiving the student’s resubmitted appeal. Recommendations made do not have to be followed by the instructor.
When
Within one week of the student’s resubmission.
Instructor Responsibility
What
Notify the department head, the student, and the Office of the Registrar in writing of the decision. If the decision is to change the grade, make the change.
When
Within one week of receiving the department head’s recommendation.
Student Responsibility
What
If the matter is not resolved, resubmit the appeal to the department dean and the Office of the Registrar.
When
Within one week of the instructor’s response.
Step 4 | College
4A: Dean/Designee Responsibility
What
Review the student's appeal and determine if a committee is needed to review the case. If convening a committee (optional), do so.
If convening a committee, it should consist of five members. Faculty representatives include one from the department of the instructor concerned and two from closely related departments or colleges. The student council of the college provides two student representatives. Student representatives shall be full-time upper-division undergraduate students for appeals by undergraduate students or full-time graduate students for appeals by graduate students. If the college does not have an appropriate student council, the ASUA or GPSC shall appoint the student members. All student members must be in good academic standing in that college.
When
Within one week of receiving the student’s resubmission.
4B: Committee Responsibility (if convened)
What
Within the structure provided by the dean, design rules of operation and select a chair other than the faculty representative from the department concerned. The student and instructor shall represent themselves. At the committee’s discretion, it may:
- meet separately with the student, the instructor, and the department head
- request each party to submit a brief written summary statement of the issues, and/or
- interview other persons who have relevant information.
If feasible, meet with the student and the instructor together in an attempt to resolve the difference. Consider all aspects, then submit a written report with recommendations and provide copies to the student, the instructor, the department head, the dean, and the Office of the Registrar.
When
Within two weeks of being convened by the dean.
4C: Dean/Designee Responsibility
What
Make a final decision after full consideration of the committee's recommendation. The dean has the authority to change the grade to a different credit-bearing grade, which includes regular grades (A, B, C, D, E), alternative grades (S, P), or optional grades (P, F), depending on the course grading system and the system chosen by the student at registration. Notify the department head, the instructor, the student, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision in writing.
When
Within one week of receiving the committee’s recommendation, and within four weeks of receiving the student’s resubmitted appeal.
Grade Appeal Flow Chart
Grade Appeal Timetable & Forms
| Responsibility Of | Complete Steps | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Student | 1 | By the end of week 5 of the regular (fall/spring) term after the term in which the grade was awarded |
| Instructor | 2 | Within 2 weeks of receiving initial grade appeal |
| Student (resubmit if needed) | 2 | Within 1 week of the instructor's response. If no instructor response within 2 weeks of submission, resubmit grade appeal to the Department Head by the end of the 3rd week |
| Department Head | 3 | Within 1 week of student resubmitting grade appeal |
| Instructor | 3 | Within 1 week of receiving Department Head recommendation |
| Student (resubmit if needed) | 3 | Within 1 week of the instructor's response. If no instructor response within 2 weeks of submission to Department Head, resubmit grade appeal to the College Dean by the end of the 3rd week |
| Dean/Designee (assemble committee if desired) | 4A | Within 1 week of student resubmitting grade appeal |
| Committee | 4B | Within 2 weeks of being convened by College Dean |
| Dean/Designee | 4C | Within 1 week of receiving committee recommendation |
| Grade Appeal Policy and Process Packet | The packet has the entire process outlined along with all the forms required for the process |
| Grade Appeal Policy and Process | General information about the policy and process |
| Step 1 - Student Initiation |
|
| Step 2 - Instructor Response | Form for instructor to respond to student's grade appeal |
| Step 3 - Department Head Response | Form for a department head to respond if escalated past instructor |