Appeals Procedure for Academic Grievances for Graduate Students

Students appealing academic decisions must abide by the following procedure:

1. A graduate student who files a written appeal of any academic decision will do so within two months of notification of the decision.
   
   The appeal will go first to the Chair or Program Director of the department, or, if no departmental unit exists, to the Director/Dean of the appropriate program, school, college, or division.
   
   On grade issues a graduate student will, where possible, attempt informally to resolve the issue with the professor before filing a written appeal.
   
   
2. The Head (Chair, Director, or Dean) of the unit to which the initial appeal is made may provide consultative procedures in a preliminary attempt informally to resolve the disputed issue in a timely fashion.
   
   
3. Should those procedures not resolve the situation to the satisfaction of the student, the Head of the unit shall refer any matter other than a grade appeal either to:
   
   
   • A standing or ad hoc faculty/professional staff committee chaired by the Head or a designate or
   • The Director/Dean of an academic unit to which the Head reports and who shall convene such a committee to hear the matter.
     
     
   When an ad hoc committee is established, the student who lodges the appeal may designate one of the faculty members.
   
   The Director/Dean may choose members of the committee who represent units or subunits other than the one from which the appeal is made.
   
   The appeals committee at this or higher levels may, at its discretion, receive from the student, relevant faculty or staff members, or other individuals any additional evidence or argument that it deems necessary to resolve the appeal. The appeals committee will normally furnish a decision, which shall be in writing, to both parties within four weeks of receipt of the appeal.
   
   
4. The Head of an academic unit or the appropriate Director/Dean shall refer grade appeals to a committee only when based on problems of process, and not on differences in judgment or opinion concerning academic performance.
   
   The appeals committee will overturn an academic decision only if there is clear and convincing evidence that the decision was made in a manner contrary to applicable procedures.
   
   Decisions on grades are not subject to further appeal.
   
   
5. On issues other than grades, if the student believes that the initial process of appeal resolution has not been satisfactory, the student may appeal in writing to the Provost.
   
   The Provost may refer appeals to appropriate bodies or personnel for their recommendation on the specific issues. The Provost may refer any appeal to the Graduate Council for its recommendation.
   
   If the issue is referred to the Graduate Council, its Chair will appoint three members of the Council as a Grievance Committee to hear the appeal case and shall designate one of the committee members to serve as Chair.
   
   The findings of anyone called upon by the Provost shall be transmitted to the Provost as a written recommendation, when possible within four weeks after the case has been referred to them.
   
   
6. The Provost is the final authority in the appeal matter, and final action by the Provost should, when possible, take place within four weeks after the receipt of appropriate recommendations.
   
   The Provost shall provide notice of the final decision to the student, the Chair of any committee involved, the Head of the unit from which the appeal originates.
   
   
7. In compliance with the policy adopted by the Commission on Institutions for Higher Education in response to the Department of Education, the North Central Association is requiring institutions to maintain a tracking record of formal, written student complaints filed with the Chancellor, Provost, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Research, and the Associate Provosts for Student Life. Although the University is required to share information about complaints with the NCA, individual identities will be shielded in so doing.

Exceptions: See specific guidelines for academic grievance procedures at the Graduate School of Social Work and the College of Law

Grading Policies and Apeal Procedures for Undergraduate Students

Additional Information

For additional information on grades and grade policies contact the Office of the Registrar at 303.871.4986 or email to mecox@du.edu.

Grades and Grading