Department Grade Appeals Policy

Before Submitting an Appeal

Prior to submitting a formal grade appeal, please note the following.

Talk to Your Instructor

Many issues can be resolved through conversation with the course instructor. An effort should be made to resolve disputes by communicating clearly with the professor. In addition to resolving issues, engaging in conversation with the professor helps students develop essential workplace communication skills.

Check the Course Grading Policy

Formal grade appeals will only be considered after the final course grade has been posted. Students who disagree with grades assigned during the course must discuss those grades with the professor. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with all grading policies from the course syllabus and any other materials distributed or posted by the professor.

Follow the Process

Grade appeals must follow the academic hierarchy of the university, which is described in the steps below. Students attempting to enter the process at a higher level will be directed back to the appropriate step in the process.

Students who wish to appeal a grade must do so by the end of the following fall or spring term (i.e., by December of the same calendar year for spring and summer courses; by May of the same academic year for fall courses).

Mandatory Steps in the Grade Appeal Process

Step 1: Meet with the Instructor

If a student is dissatisfied with a grade, the student must first meet with the professor.

Step 2: Write a Letter of Appeal

If the issue is not resolved in a manner that is satisfactory to the student, the student must write a formal letter of appeal to the professor, with a copy to the department chairperson. 

The letter of appeal must include:

• student’s name and ID number
• course name and term of attendance
• a summary of the issue

The student must also include all pertinent documentation necessary to support the appeal and clearly state why the student perceives that the contested grade is unjust.

The professor will provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the appeal via email within five business days of receiving the appeal and will provide a written decision with 15 business days of submission. 

If the faculty member does not respond to the appeal within 15 business days, the appeal will be forwarded by the department chairperson to the appeals committee (see step 3).

Note: Grade appeals for faculty who are no longer employed at TU will be forwarded by the department chairperson to the appeals committee.

Step 3: Write a Letter to the Department Appeals Committee

If the student is dissatisfied with the professor’s response, the student must write a formal letter of appeal to the department appeals committee. The student should include all information submitted to the professor in the initial appeal. In addition, the student should include any additional documentation pertinent to the appeal, such as written or email communication with the professor.  The appeals committee will provide a written decision within 20 business days.

Step 4: Appeal to the Department Chair

If the student is dissatisfied with the response from the department appeals committee, the student must appeal to the department chairperson.* The chairperson will review the appeal and may request additional information from the parties involved in the appeal. The chairperson will provide a written decision to the student, with a copy to the professor, within 20 business days.

*If the professor is also the department chairperson, skip step 4 and proceed to step 5.

Step 5: Appeal to the Associate Dean of the College

If the student is dissatisfied with the chairperson’s response, the student may write a formal letter of appeal to the Associate Dean of the College of Health Professions. The student must provide sufficient explanation and documentation to support the appeal. 

Step 6: Appeal to Academic Standards Committee or Graduate Studies Committee

If the student is dissatisfied with the Associate Dean’s response, the student may write a formal letter of appeal to:

• Academic Standards Committee (ASC) for undergraduate course appeals, or
• Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) for graduate course appeals

The decision of the ASC or GSC is considered final.