The first steps in resolving a grade dispute should be informal. Before initiating a formal grade appeal, a student must discuss the reason for the grade with the instructor who assigned it. If an instructor has a dispute procedure described in the course syllabus, that should first have been followed. No student should discuss any grade complaint with a chair or dean without first discussing it with the instructor and following the instructor’s procedures.

Formal Disputes:

Informal efforts to resolve the dispute must be completed before the formal policy may be invoked. The magnitude of disagreement must be more than or equal to one full letter grade (for example, the formal procedure will not be triggered by disagreements over A- versus B); the magnitude requirement also applies to Pass/Fail grades. Here are the following steps:

1. It is best if the formal complaint is made as soon as possible, but must be lodged within 21 days after the beginning of the next full term after receipt of the grade that is disputed. The complaint must be in writing with full explanation and supporting materials.
2. As appropriate, the chair or dean reviews the case. If the complaint is not against a chair, it should be sent to the chair of the department to which the instructor belongs. If it is against a chair, it should be sent to the dean. If it is against a dean, it should be sent to the dean’s chair.
3. If necessary, chair or dean may request additional review by the Humanities Chairs’ Council. The Council may request the faculty member’s consent that the student’s coursework be referred to one or more qualified external graders prior to a recommendation being made.
4. Appeal to chair or dean ensures a fair process in reviewing of the disputed grade, but authority to determine final grade remains with the instructor.
5. To preserve academic freedom for faculty as well as to uphold standards of fairness for faculty and students, the chair or dean will submit a written recommendation for the resolution of the dispute to the student and the instructor.
6. This recommendation will be advisory only. The instructor will have no obligation to follow the recommendation, but should inform the student, the chair, and the dean. This decision about the grade will be final.

Decisions reached in formal division grade dispute procedures may be appealed to the University Grievance Committee only on the following grounds: division procedures were not properly followed; or the resolution of the dispute was fundamentally unfair to student or instructor.