Grade Appeal — SGCS

Evaluation in the form of grading is viewed by the administration as a contractual relationship between faculty member and learner. Although learners have the right to appeal, actual changes in grades are rare and at the option of the course facilitator. The administration does not intervene, except in cases of extreme circumstances, and acts only as intermediary.

Should a learner feel there is concrete reason to appeal a course grade, these procedures should be followed:

1. The learner should initiate the appeal with the course facilitator who assigned the grade within 7 days. The learner and the facilitator should seek a resolution to the situation.
2. If the learner is not satisfied with the initial grade appeal to the facilitator or if the facilitator is not available, the learner may initiate a formal grade appeal. Grade appeals must be initiated within 7 days after the date grades are posted. Learners should contact their Program Director/Coordinator to request a grade appeal form. For example, learners in the Education program should contact the Director of Graduate Programs in Education; learners in the MAT program should contact the Coordinator, MAT Program; learners in the AAB program should contact the Director of Business Programs, etc.
3. The learner should fill out the form completely and return it to the Program Director/Coordinator within 7 days after the appeal request is made. A copy of the appeal is kept on file in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies office, and one is sent to the course facilitator.
4. The course facilitator responds to the appeal within 7 days on an appropriate form and returns it to the Program Director/Coordinator. The Program Director/Coordinator then has 14 days to respond to the learner's appeal.
5. If the learner is not satisfied with the response from the Program Director/Coordinator, he or she may appeal to the Academic Review Committee. The learner must submit an appeal within 7 days of the date the course facilitator’s response is mailed.
6. The Program Director/Coordinator notifies the facilitator and convenes the Academic Review Committee. The Academic Review Committee is comprised of the Associate Registrar - SGCS and two University faculty members. If the appeal is based on a decision made by a member of the committee, that member steps down from the appeal; an appropriate substitute is appointed by the Dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
7. The Academic Review Committee records the nature of the appeal, action taken, and rationale. The Assoicate Registrar - SGCS gives copies of the appeal record to the learner, the course facilitator responsible for the course grade, and the Program Director/Coordinator.
8. The Associate Registar - SGCS notifies the learner in writing of the disposition of the appeal, as determined by the Academic Review Committee.
9. The Academic Review Committee is considered the highest formal level of appeal.