CFAC Grade Appeals

Step 1

Although a student may consult with a faculty member about an appeal, for the appeal to be formally considered at all levels, the student must put the appeal to change a grade into writing, stating briefly and clearly the action requested and the reason(s) for the requested change. The student must present the written appeal, in an email, to the faculty member who assigned the grade in question.  The student must state clearly the specific request being made and include a brief statement of the reasons for the proposed grade change.

Step 2

After reviewing the student’s written appeal, the faculty member will make a decision. If the appeal is approved, the faculty member will submit a grade change form to initiate the “change of grade” process.

Step 3

If the appeal is denied, the student may then appeal in writing, via email, to the departmental chair. Departmental chairs, like the faculty member, will not review an appeal that is not made in writing. Appeals must focus on specific departures from guidelines listed on the syllabus because Chairs make decisions about grade appeals using relatively narrow criteria: whether the professor adhered to procedures identified on the course syllabus and to guidelines for equitable treatment (i.e., whether the same standards were applied to all students). Chairs do not evaluate the student’s papers or exams.

Step 4

After reviewing the student’s written statement and after consulting with the faculty member, the departmental chair will make a decision regarding the grade appeal.

Step 5

If a student is dissatisfied with the departmental chair’s decision, he or she may appeal in writing, via email, to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication to arrive at a final decision. As with appeals to the departmental chair, the dean will consider whether the professor adhered to guidelines for equitable treatment and to evaluation procedures identified on the course syllabus. Appeals must focus on specific departures from guidelines listed on the syllabus.