Grade Change and Appeals

Students who believe that an assignment grade was given unfairly or in error may appeal the grade. Before submitting an appeal, students are encouraged to first attempt to resolve the issue by speaking directly with their instructor.

All grade appeals must be based on one or more of the following grounds:

• a miscalculation of the grade
• an error in the application of the grading criteria outlined in the course syllabus or assignment rubric
• evidence of bias or unfair treatment in grading

To appeal an assignment grade, the student must:

Submit a written appeal to the course instructor within one week of receiving the graded assignment. The instructor must notify the student of the decision in writing within one week of being contacted by the student.
If the decision of the instructor is not acceptable to the student, an appeal may be made in writing to the dean of the academic school within one week after notification by the instructor. The written appeal must specify both the complaint and the action requested. The dean must notify the student of the decision in writing within one week of being contacted by the student. The decision of the dean is final.
Once a final grade has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar, only the instructor can change the grade, except in the case of a grade appeal.

To appeal a final grade, the student must:

Submit a written appeal to the instructor no later than four weeks after the end of the course. The instructor must notify the student of the decision in writing within one week of being contacted by the student. If the instructor decides that a final grade change is warranted, the instructor must submit a change of grade form approved by the dean of the academic school to the Office of the Registrar.
If the decision of the instructor is not acceptable to the student, an appeal may be made in writing to the dean of the academic school within one week after notification by the instructor. The written appeal must specify both the complaint and the action requested. The dean must notify the student of the decision in writing within one week of being contacted by the student.
If the decision of the dean is not acceptable to the student, a written appeal may be made to the Office of the Provost within one week after notification by the dean. The written appeal must specify both the complaint and the action requested. The Office of the Provost will notify the student of the decision in writing within one week of being contacted by the student. The decision of the Office of the Provost is final .

All response timelines in this policy refer to business days, which exclude weekends and university holidays.