Grade Grievance Policy

  1. We encourage any student who believes that a grade received in a course is unfair to set up an appointment with the instructor to discuss how the grade was determined.
  2. If step 1 does not resolve the grade issue, the student must contact the instructor in writing, within two weeks of the start of the next term. For grades given for Fall term courses, the student has two weeks into the beginning of the Winter term. For grades given for Winter term courses, the student has two weeks into the beginning of the Spring or Spring/Summer term. The instructor should respond in writing to the student within 2 weeks of receiving the student complaint.
  3. If the disagreement is not resolved in the steps above, the student must file a written appeal with the Department Program/Curriculum Committee. The appeal must be received no later than the first 6 weeks of the Fall/Winter term following the semester when the grade was given. The student must explain the nature of the dispute and attach copies of all relevant graded materials. The instructor will receive a copy of the letter and will have the opportunity to respond to the Department Program/Curriculum Committee.
  4. The Department Program/Curriculum Committee will consider the student appeal and the instructor's response. Each party has the option to appear before the committee and may do so without the other(s) being present.
  5. If the Department Program/Curriculum Committee concludes the original grade to be reasonable, a statement will be drafted to the student rejecting the appeal.
  6. If the Department Program/Curriculum Committee recommends the grade be changed, a document will be drafted stating the reasons for and specifying the recommended new grade. The Department Program/Curriculum Committee will then determine if the instructor is willing to change the grade or if some other action is acceptable. If these actions fail a letter will be placed in the department’s grievance file, and in the instructor’s and student’s files stating the Department Program/Curriculum Committee’s findings. The student will also receive a copy of the letter.
  7. If the instructor is no longer at the University the Department Program/Curriculum Committee will change the grade.
  8. The student will be notified in writing of the final decision. There will be no further hearing on this matter.