Student Grade Dispute Information

When a final grade is given by a member of the faculty that is based on an error -- whether arbitrary or capricious -- or is not in alignment with the grading criteria provided in the course syllabus, students may dispute that grade. A student may file a Notice of Grade Disputewith Faculty Affairs no later than ten (10) instructional days of the beginning of the semester immediately subsequent to the semester in which the student received the grade in question (for example, if the grade was received at the end of the fall semester, then the student has until day 10 of the following spring semester to file a grade dispute).

After filing the notice of Grade Dispute, students must try to informally resolve the grade dispute. Students must first meet with their instructor to try and resolve the grade dispute. If that matter is not resolved after meeting with the instructor, students must meet with the Department Chair. If the matter remains unresolved after meeting with the Department Chair, the student must meet with the Dean or Associate Dean. If the grade dispute still exists after meeting with the Dean or Associate Dean, students may then file a Request for a Formal Grade Appeal Hearing.

Grade Disputes are governed by EM 25-001 (PDF) (PDF), which is our current Grade Appeal policy, superseding EM 20-012. This policy outlines what to expect after filing a Grade Dispute.

How Does a Student Initiate a Grade Appeal?
A student initiates a grade appeal by completing a “Notice of Inquiry” with Faculty Affairs. The notice must be completed within ten (10) instructional days of the beginning of the semester immediately subsequent to the semester in which the student received the grade in question. This form can be found
Do Students Have to Try to Resolve the Situation Informally?
Yes. The Notice of Inquiry is the beginning of the informal resolution process. Students are instructed to meet with their professor, and if not satisfied, their Department Chair and then College Dean or Associate Dean.
What Happens if There is no Informal Resolution?
If the student feels there is no resolution after meeting with the instructor, the Department Chair, and the Dean or Associate Dean, they may file a request for a formal grade appeal hearing. At the hearing, the burden of proof is on the student to prove that the grade they received was incorrect.
Who Presides Over the Hearing?
A faculty member facilitator is in charge of presiding over the hearing. The facilitator is in charge of scheduling the hearing, determining modality of the hearing, setting the parameters of the hearing, and determining the admissibility of evidence for the hearing.
What Is the Policy on Representation During the Grade Appeal Hearing?
Both parties may have a representative or support person join them. The Facilitator must be provided with the name of each party’s representative or support person. Representatives support persons may not act as the instructor’s or student’s attorney.
How is Evidence Presented at a Hearing?
The facilitator shall admit evidence reasonably relevant to the grade appeal dispute but shall exclude evidence that is irrelevant, inappropriate, or unduly repetitious. All documentary evidence needs to be submitted to the facilitator. The facilitator must provide the grade appeal hearing panel members all documentation/written materials no later than two (2) instructional days prior to the hearing.
Witnesses (other than the instructor or student) may be called by either party. If any witnesses are to be called during the hearing, at least five (5) instructional days prior to the hearing, the student or instructor must provide the names of the witnesses, along with signed statements of their willingness to testify at the hearing and brief statements of their expected testimony, to the facilitator.
Who Makes up the Grade Appeal Hearing Panel?
The formal grade appeal hearing panel consists of four members, two faculty and two students. In order for a formal grade appeal hearing to proceed, a quorum consisting of two faculty members and one student must be present.
Who is Allowed to Attend the Formal Grade Appeal Hearing?
Formal grade appeal hearings are closed and limited to the student, the instructor, and their respective representatives, if any, witnesses while providing testimony, the facilitator, the formal grade appeal hearing panel, and staff from Faculty Affairs and Success. The content of the proceedings and the panel’s recommendations are confidential and shall not be made public by any hearing participant, witnesses, or other faculty, staff, students, or administrators, except as required by law.
Does the Panel Formulate a Recommendation?
The facilitator will dismiss the student and instructor following the presentation of their cases. Deliberation then occurs among panel members only, who must consider the case based solely on the evidence admitted. The facilitator must be present for consultation. Panel members may seek procedural advice only from the facilitator, who must not allow coercion of any member of the panel by another member. After deliberation, the panel will determine findings and vote by secret ballot regarding the resolution of the grade appeal. The vote may recommend a change, where appropriate, to the final course grade in the student’s academic record. In the case of a tie vote, the facilitator then casts a vote to break the tie. A report of the hearing, including the evidence, the findings, vote, and recommendation of the panel, will be prepared by the facilitator and submitted to the Provost or designee.
Who Makes the Final Decision on the Outcome of a Formal Grade Appeal Hearing?
The Provost makes the final decision. This decision is final, and there is no further right to appeal. When the Provost or designee approves a grade change, the Provost or designee will initiate the change of grade process.
Can the Outcome of a Grade Appeal Hearing be Appealed?
The decision of the Provost is final. An appeal cannot be made.