Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual

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G-10: GRADE MEDIATION AND ADJUDICATION

The basis for grades, as stated in Senate Policy 47-20, is "...the instructor's professional judgment of the student's scholastic achievement..." Occasionally, a disagreement arises in the assignment of a grade. A student who wishes to question or challenge the grade assigned in a course must first discuss grading practices and assignments with the instructor. It is expected that the student and instructor will try to eliminate any misunderstandings and will attempt to work out any disagreements over grades. Some examples of the basis for a legitimate disagreement could include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The instructor did not inform the student of the basis for calculation of grades as required in 47-20.
2. The instructor did not calculate the student's grade in accordance with the instructor's stated policy for calculating grades.
3. There is an error in the computation of the grade that was not corrected.
4. The student, through no fault of their own, was not provided with the same opportunity to complete the requirements for the course in terms, for example, of time, access to lab materials, or access to the instructor as the other students.

On the rare occasion that a student and instructor fail to resolve the grade dispute through informal means, the student should request that the head of the academic program offering the course review the issue and take appropriate action to mediate and seek resolution.

If grade mediation by the head of the academic program does not resolve the dispute, students may seek formal grade adjudication. For undergraduate courses, students should seek grade adjudication from the associate dean or the director of academic affairs for the college/campus offering the course. For graduate courses, students may request the same of the associate dean for graduate studies of the college/school offering the course.

To request a formal grade adjudication, students complete a Grade Adjudication Petition Form and submit it to the associate dean or director of academic affairs responsible for undergraduate education, or the associate dean for graduate studies, as appropriate for the level of the course. The petition must be submitted no later than ten weeks following the end date of the course (as it appears in the schedule of courses). The basis for a grade adjudication petition is limited to cases in which a grade assignment does not conform to Senate Policy 47-20 and therefore, the petition must present clear evidence that the assignment of the grade was based upon factors other than the academic judgment of the instructor.

The associate dean or director of academic affairs will seek any additional information needed from the instructor, the student, or others and review the petition to determine if the student's complaint provides evidence that the instructor's assignment of the grade is in violation of Senate Policy 47-20. Individuals contacted to provide additional information must respond within ten (10) business days.

No Violation of Senate Policy 47-20

If the associate dean/director of academic affairs determines that the assignment of the grade does not violate Senate Policy 47-20, they will notify the student and the grade will stand.

Violation of Senate Policy 47-20

If upon review the associate dean/director of academic affairs concludes that the grade assignment does not conform to Senate Policy 47-20, they will determine a course of action that may include a recommendation for the determination of an amended grade. The associate dean/director of academic affairs will then provide the student and the instructor with notification and a brief summary of the reasons for the recommended course of action.

The student and the instructor have ten (10) business days to respond. If both accept the recommended course of action, the student and the instructor should implement the recommended course of action. If this leads to a change in the student's grade, the instructor should complete a change of grade as described under Senate Policy 48-30.

If either the student or the instructor do not accept the recommended course of action from the associate dean/director of academic affairs, they may appeal the determination within ten (10) business days. The associate dean or director of academic affairs will appoint an ad hoc committee of three (3) faculty with appropriate expertise to determine a grade. The associate dean or director of academic affairs will then transmit the grade to the Registrar, and the adjudication process is concluded.

Grade Adjudication Petition Form

Senate Policy: 47-20, Basis for Grades

Undergraduate Advising

Previous Version of G-10