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Academic Grievance Procedure

An academic grievance may involve a student’s dissatisfaction with:

  1. Quality of Instruction

  2. A Grade on an Assignment or in a Course

  3. A Charge Related to a Violation of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy

General Filing Instructions

A student filing a grievance regarding the quality of instruction may skip the meeting with the course instructor with the approval of the Dean of the College or the Dean’s Designee. If the matter is not resolved at the instructor level, the student may then appeal the decision in writing. The line of appeal is:

The Dean of the College or the Dean’s Designee
The Office of Academic Administration

Should the Dean of the College be the instructor of the class, the appeals process would go straight to the Office of Academic Administration.

Each person to whom an appeal is made has five working days in which to communicate the decision to the student and the instructor. Both the student and the course instructor have the right to appeal a decision of the Dean or their Designee. The decision of the Office of Academic Administration is final.

The final grade in any assignment or course still rests with the Instructor of the course. The Dean, Provost, or their designee make decisions regarding specific areas of objection. The instructor applies their decision accordingly.

The final Academic Grievance Appeal Form, signed by every person involved, will be stored in the office of Academic Administration.

Quality of Instruction

A student may file a grievance regarding the quality of instruction if the student has legitimate reason to believe their instruction was inadequate in either content or delivery. Examples of this include but are not limited to:

1. Interpersonal Communication

2. Written Communication

3. Classroom Management

4. Pedagogy

A Grade on an Assignment or in a Course

A student may file a grievance regarding a grade appeal when there is legitimate reason to believe that the grade does not accurately reflect the quality of his or her academic performance in the course. Reasons for an appeal include but are not limited to:

1. Mistakes in grading

2. Misapplication of grading rubrics

3. A grade was determined in a manner inconsistent with the course syllabus

A Charge Related to a Violation of the University's Academic Integrity Policy

A student may file a grievance regarding an appeal related to a charge of academic dishonesty or plagiarism if the student deems the action to be unjust. For examples, please refer to the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

In order to file a grievance, the student should refer to the appeal process stated in the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.