grievances.htm

Students who challenge an academic grade evaluation of their work in a course or seminar, or in research or another required educational activity or who challenge an unfavorable academic standing or status assigned to them because of inadequate grades or other evaluations of their performance may request a review of the evaluation or the academic status, or both.

Each school and college has established committees and procedures for considering such requests. Except for cases involving termination of study, students who wish to request a review of an academic grievance should submit such a request in writing to the official or committee responsible. The nature of such grievances may vary considerably. Some should be directed initially to the department concerned and others to the student's school or college. Where the school is not departmentalized, such requests should be presented directly to the school official or committee responsible.

If the issue is not resolved by the departmental and school officials or committees responsible, students may then address a petition to the Graduate Academic Council for a review of their case and of departmental and/or school decisions on it. The council refers such petitions to its Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing. The action of this committee, upon acceptance by the council, is final.

Students whose authorization to continue in study has been terminated officially by the Dean of Graduate Studies who challenge that status may address a petition to the Graduate Academic Council for a review of their standing and for reinstatement. The council refers such petitions to its Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing. The action of this committee, upon acceptance by the council, is final.

In reviewing a petition for redress of an academic grievance, the committee utilizes a variety of procedures. It may hold a formal hearing with all parties and their representatives present or it may decide to meet separately with the parties and representatives involved. The nature and number of the representatives attending in all instances are at the discretion of the committee. The procedures adopted are those which the committee believes will provide the parties involved with an opportunity to present their sides of the issues to the committee and for the committee to gather the information and evidence it deems necessary to make its decision.

Action taken on student grievances by the committee is reported to the Graduate Academic Council, and after acceptance by the council the action is final and is not subject to further formal review within the University.

The Department's policy on grievances related to any aspect of the program is as follows:

In the first instance, the grievance should be discussed with the faculty member involved, and with the student's advisor. If this does not resolve the dispute, the grievance should be referred to the Department Chair, in writing (email is acceptable). If the dispute cannot be resolved by the Chair, it is referred to the Department faculty for a ruling, which will be communicated in writing to all affected parties.

The Department's ruling can be appealed to the School of Education Academic Standing Committee, and thence to the Graduate Academic Council.

Last Updated: September 21, 2005