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Academic Grievance Policy

The following measures should be taken with respect to an academic grievance pertaining to a course offered by the University. A student may seek remediation for the following:

Grade Appeal: A student who feels that the grading policy for a class is unfair or has been unfairly administered and that the result is a course grade lower than deserved has the right to contest the professor’s decision. This process is only for appealing the final course average; consequently, grades on individual projects may not be challenged.

Course-Related Concern: Any complaint, beyond the parameters of a grade appeal, that involves an experience occurring within the context of an academic course offered by the University also comes under the purview of the Academic Grievance Policy.

Arbitration for either (a) Grade Appeal or (b) a Course-Related Concern follows the same procedure, with exceptions noted below.

Informal Measures

The University encourages matters to be resolved informally and judiciously whenever possible. If such an agreement is unable to be reached, then a student may file a formal complaint. Each step must be taken in order. Failure to follow the procedure may obviate the appeal.

Step 1. The student discusses the matter with the professor. If possible, the matter is reconciled at this point.

Step 2. If dissatisfied with this discussion, the student voices the concern to the department head in a conference scheduled by the student. (If no department head exists, or if the department head is a disputant, then the student consults with the dean of the college or school in which the course under consideration is offered.) The department head (or, if applicable, the dean) discusses the matter with the professor.

Step 1 and Step 2 attempt to find an amicable resolution to the academic grievance informally—be it either (a) Grade Appeal or (b) a Course-Related Concern—without a formal, written complaint. If no resolution occurs in the first two steps, then formal measures may be taken beginning with Step 3.

Formal Measures

Step 3. If no resolution occurs at the department level (Step 2), the student then submits a written petition to the dean of the area. If the complaint is against a dean, the complaint will go to the Provost. The student’s letter of petition must include a straightforward narrative (one to three pages in length) detailing (a) the circumstances surrounding the contested grade or course-related concern, (b) reasons why the student believes the complaint is warranted, and (c) what possible outcome or resolution, from the student’s perspective, will resolve the issue at hand.

If the grievance is a grade appeal, then all graded projects in the class—tests, essays, projects, etc.—that are in the student’s possession must be submitted along with the cover letter along with the student’s personal record of attendance in the class.

Upon the dean’s notification that a student has filed a formal grievance, the department head forwards a written summation of the matter to the dean, along with a recommendation for a resolution to the problem. (If no department head exists, or if the department head is a disputant, then a letter from the department head is not necessary.)

Step 4. In writing, the dean apprises the professor of the course under dispute regarding the student’s grievance and provides a summary of the points of concern.

Step 5. The professor submits a written response to the student’s grievance in a straightforward narrative (one to three pages in length) detailing his or her own account of (a) the circumstances surrounding the contested grade or course-related concern, (b) reasons why the professor believes the complaint either warranted or unwarranted, and (c) what possible outcome or resolution, from the professor’s perspective, will resolve the issue at hand.

If the grievance is a grade appeal, then the professor appends the student’s projects in the professor’s possession, grades on all work done in the course, the student’s attendance record in the class, and a copy of the class syllabus with the contested policy clearly marked.

Step 6. The dean will meet with each party separately, or jointly, to seek a viable solution.

Step 7. If no solution can be reached with Step 6, then

  1. a formal Grade Appeal goes to arbitration before the Academic Grievance Committee. The dean submits all materials involved up to this point, along with a written recommendation for a solution to the problem to the committee.

    Membership of the Academic Grievance Committee: The committee includes three professors from different academic areas with one specified to the chair and two senior students with grade point averages of at least 3.0. The chair of the committee will schedule meetings and preside during deliberations.

    Neither the professor nor the student will have counsel at the meetings.

    Duties of the Academic Grievance Committee: The committee will review materials submitted by both student and professor before coming together in session and convene at a time convenient for all involved for the purpose of hearing both parties present their cases. Committee members will then hold an executive session to reach a decision. The chair of the committee will inform the student, the faculty member, and the Provost of their decision in writing. If a grade is to be changed, the Provost will see that the proper forms are submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The ruling of this committee is final with respect to grade appeals.

  2. a formal Course-Related Concern goes directly to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for resolution. The dean submits all materials involved up to this point, along with a written recommendation for a solution to the problem to the Provost, who will then review materials submitted by both student and professor before scheduling a time, convenient for all involved, for the purpose of hearing both parties present their cases. The Provost, at his or her own discretion, may seek additional counsel as appropriate. The ruling of the Provost is final.