Department Grade Appeals Policy

Before Submitting a Grade Appeal

Talk with the Instructor

Many issues can be resolved without going through the appeal process by discussing what happened with the instructor. An effort should be made to resolve grade issues through conversation before resorting to the formal appeals process. Before having this discussion, the student should familiarize themselves with the grading policies outlined in the course syllabus and any other course materials provided by the instructor.

If the student and instructor cannot come to an agreement, the formal appeal process can begin.

Review Types of Grade Appeals

Students may disagree with the grade for an individual assignment given during the semester or they may disagree with their final course grade at the end of the term.

• For an individual assignment grade, the student should arrange to meet and discuss the issue with their instructor as soon as possible.
• For a final course grade, the student should wait until the grade has been posted to meet with their instructor. They have until the end of the next term to do so.
  • Students must appeal by December of the same calendar year for Spring and Summer courses.
  • Students must appeal by May of the following calendar year for Fall and Minimester courses.

Grade Appeal Steps

Step 1: Email the Appeal to the Instructor with a copy to the Department Chair

If, even after speaking with their instructor, the student feels their grade is unjustified, they must write a formal appeal explaining the issue and email it to the instructor with a copy to the Chair.

This appeal must include:

• student's name and ID number
• course name and term of attendance
• a summary of the dispute
• all pertinent documentation supporting the student's argument
• a clear explanation of why the student believes the grade as awarded is unjust

The instructor will provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the appeal within five business days. Within ten business days, the instructor will issue their final decision on the matter.

If an agreement on the grade is reached, the process ends here. If an agreement on the grade is not reached, the student goes on to Step 2.

• If the instructor does not provide a decision within ten business days, the student may skip to Step 2, reaching out directly to the Chair.
• They may also skip to Step 2 if the instructor is no longer employed at TU.

Step 2: Appeal to the Department Chair

The Chair* will review the appeal and may request additional information from the parties involved. The Chair will provide a written decision to the student, with a copy to the instructor, within ten business days.

*If the instructor is also the department Chair, the student should skip Step 2 and go directly to Step 3.

Step 3: Appeal to the Associate Dean

If the student is dissatisfied with the Chair’s decision in Step 3, they may write a formal letter of appeal to the Associate Dean of the College of Health Professions that provides sufficient explanation and documentation to support the appeal.

If the student is appealing an individual assignment grade, the decision made by the Associate Dean is final.

Step 4: Appeal to the Academic Standards Committee or Graduate Studies Committee

If the appeal concerns a final course grade, and the student is dissatisfied with the Associate Dean's decision in Step 3, they may write a formal letter of appeal to:

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

Decisions made by the ASC or GSC are final.