Student Complaints about Grades

Students wishing to file a complaint about a course grade, or a grade received for a particular piece of work in a course, should first attempt to resolve the matter through discussion with the instructor. If the issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved between student and instructor, the student may specify in writing the basis for the complaint and request a review by the departmental chair. A written complaint about a grade for work completed while the course is in progress must be submitted to the departmental chair no later than two weeks after notification of the grade. A student must submit a written complaint about a final course grade to the departmental chair no later than four weeks after the end of the exam period for that semester.

A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the department should appeal in writing to the office of the dean of the faculty offering the course. Written notification of the action taken by either the chair or by the dean will be sent to the student within four weeks of the filing of the appeal, excluding those weeks in which classes are not in regular session.

Student assertions or complaints that a grade or other academic decision was the result of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation are not reviewed as part of a school's grade grievance process, even if asserted at a later stage during a pending grade appeal. The Office of Employment Equity (OEE) is responsible for enforcing the university's policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (including Policies 60.1.12 and 60.1.28), which extend to adverse academic decisions, such as the issuance of a negative grade in an assignment or course. If the assertion is made after the grade appeal process has begun, action on the grade appeal will be suspended until the OEE completes its investigation concerning the discrimination allegation. Student complaints that the assignment of the grade was, in part or in full, attributable to discrimination, should write directly to the Office of Employment Equity.

Additional information on the policies and procedures enforced by the Office of Employment Equity is available at http://uhr.rutgers.edu/uhr-units-offices/office-employment-equity.