Academic Coaching

College of Health Grade Dispute

Undergraduate Grade Dispute Petition

Students may use the following process to dispute a final grade received in any College of Health undergraduate course in cases where there is: 

(1) An error has occurred in calculation of the grade 

(2) The instructor has failed to inform students of the basis for calculation of grades* 

(3) A non-uniform standard was applied in the assignment of the course grade and/or the student, through no fault of their own, was not provided with the same opportunity to complete the requirements for the course as the other students 

(4) A grading decision was based on a substantial and unreasonable departure from previously articulated criteria or standards within the course. 

The grade dispute process must be initiated by no later than 45 days following completion of the semester in which the course was taken. 

 

*As outlined in the syllabus template approved by Faculty Senate, course assignments and weights, 

and the basis for assigning grades must be clearly stated in the syllabus.

 

Students who received sanctions due to academic misconduct are ineligible to participate in the Grade Dispute process for the course related to the misconduct.

THIS FORM IS NOT THE FIRST STEP IN THE GRADE DISPUTE PROCESS. 

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THROUGH THE REQUIREMENTS AND STEPS LISTED BELOW.  If you need assistance in navigating this process, please consult with your assigned academic advisor (as listed in Starfish).

REQUIRED PROCESS:

Students must follow the steps outlined below:  

  1. Discuss with the instructor:  The student discusses the concern over their final grade with the course instructor directly within 45 days following completion of the semester in which the course was taken. The student should present a clear rationale and all evidence that supports this grade dispute.
  2. Contact the chair/director of the department/school:
    • If the student and instructor are unable to come to a resolution, the student should promptly write to the chairperson/ director of the instructor’s department (or an appropriately designated substitute), stating the nature of the dispute and its justification. The chairperson/director will provide the course instructor with a copy of the student’s statement and any additional documents submitted (e.g., copy of the course syllabus). 
    • Once the written record is complete, the chairperson/ director should meet with the student (and instructor, if possible, in a three-way conference) to try to resolve the dispute. 
  3. If additional review is requested by the student, the chairperson/ director should guide the student to submit the COH Undergraduate Grade Dispute Form. 
  4. The College of Health grade-dispute committee reviews the information provided by the student, instructor, and chairperson before rendering a decision.  That committee has final authority in deciding if there is substantial justification for the claim and assigning the final grade.

The Petition for a Grade Dispute should be submitted only if resolution is not reached through the mediation of the department chair.  If you are ready to submit this petition, please click the link below:

Undergraduate Grade Dispute Petition