Academic Conflict Resolution

A student who believes that course work has been unfairly evaluated, or who has another conflict regarding academic matters less than Academic Probation/Dismissal or the Academic Integrity Policy, should use the following procedure:

1. As soon as possible, no later than the end of the sixth week of the following semester, the student must approach the faculty member to discuss the issue (when possible). In the event of a grade dispute, the student should seek an explanation of the method of evaluation and seek a determination that no error has been made.
2. If the student is not satisfied with the results of this conference, or if a meeting with the faculty member was impossible or inadvisable, the case must be presented in writing with supporting documentation to the department chair or program coordinator.
3. If, after consultation with the faculty member (when possible) and after a review of the written evidence, the department chair finds legitimate cause for complaint, he or she will try to work toward an equitable solution with the student and faculty member. If this fails, he or she will bring the matter to the Associate Dean of the College. If the department chair concludes there is no cause for the complaint, the student may approach the Associate Dean of the College, who will confer with the faculty member and the student.
4. If a student is still not satisfied with the outcome of the conference with the Associate Dean, the student may formally appeal the grade. The grade will be reviewed by a panel consisting of the Dean of the Faculty, the faculty member who gave the original grade, and a member the Curriculum and Educational Policy Committee, selected by that committee’s chair. If for some reason the original faculty member is unavailable, the department chair may appoint a substitute. The majority decision of this three-person panel will be final. If the decision is made to change the grade, the department chair from that field of study will be consulted by the Dean to help determine the final grade.