Grade Appeals

Policy number: 
06.040
Policy description: 

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled as well as requirements for completion of their academic programs. Faculty members are responsible for establishing standards of academic performance and for evaluating student performance in an equitable manner.  Faculty decisions in such matters are considered authoritative and can be overturned only when it has been determined that a grade was assigned in an inequitable, arbitrary, or erroneous manner. This policy outlines the grounds for a student grade appeal and the process by which it must be carried out.

See full policy (PDF): 
PDF icon 06.040 Grade Appeals.pdf
Policy owner: VP for Academic Affairs
Policy contact: 
Angie Cartwright
Asst. Vice Provost, Faculty Success
Faculty Success
Applies to: 
Faculty, Students
Date Issued: 
Tuesday, August 1, 1989

Last updated: 

Date: 
12/22/2021
Action: 
Revision
Comments: 
Under the previous version, there were two grounds for an appeal. With the goal of creating greater clarity, the Senate established three grounds for an appeal. The previous version acknowledged a separate process for handling appeals based on discrimination or harassment. The new version specifies that students must report appeals of this nature to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Under the previous version of the policy, the unit administrator’s decision could only be appealed to the dean on procedural grounds. Under the new version, faculty and students may appeal to the dean on procedural and/or substantive grounds. Appeals to the dean may “extend the time limit on resolution of the grade appeal by no more than three weeks.” Previous language allowing for longer extensions in “extraordinary circumstances” has been deleted. More details on changes can be obtained from the Policy Director of Academic Affairs.
Date: 
06/20/2017
Action: 
Revision
Comments: 
Revised to remove unused reference. Effective 06/20/2017
Date: 
05/15/2015
Action: 
Revision
Date: 
07/01/2002
Action: 
Revision