Grade Appeals
Student complaints about course grades
are handled within the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). This policy applies only to recorded course grades, not to grades on individual assignments within a course, which are handled directly with the instructor. SPAA recognizes the unique skills and talents each
faculty member brings to the table. Our faculty members are among the foremost
experts in their fields, they are the persons most familiar with the syllabus
they use to teach a class, and they are most familiar with an individual
student's performance relative to the expectations developed in the classes
they teach. For these reasons, the faculty member of record is also the most
qualified to assess a student's performance in a class. Only in the rarest
circumstance will a grade assigned by the instructor of record be reviewed or
amended. A student's subjective belief that their work is of higher quality
than the instructor's assessment of that work is NOT a valid basis for appeal.
Typically, a grade will only be changed in the case of mathematical error or
accidental entry. The process for grade appeal is as follows, and must be
strictly followed:
-
As a first resort, the student should discuss the contested grade with the
instructor of record within five business days of said grade being posted. The
student should produce a formal written appeal (deliverable by email) of one to two
pages that delineates:
- The student's name, contact information, and RUID number
- The date the appeal is being submitted.
- The name of the course, its section number, and the instructor's name and email address.
- A description of the error and the specific correction requested.
- A clear description of the basis for appeal, including any factual information or
computation necessary to document the error.
- All requests must be addressed to the instructor of record, and must also copy the
master of public administration (M.P.A.) director and the associate dean for student and academic services.
- The request should include the course syllabus as an attachment.
- The instructor shall respond within 10
business days of receiving the complaint, and shall copy the M.P.A. director and associate dean for student and academic services on the electronic response.
- The student may appeal the instructor's decision to the M.P.A. director, following the
format of the initial appeal and including any new or additional documentation,
including the instructor's formal response. The M.P.A. director must receive any
further appeal (electronically) within five business days of the instructor's
response. The M.P.A. director will then assess whether the student has established
a valid basis for appeal and if the appeal has been received within the time
limits established by this policy. If not, the student will be notified and the
recorded grade will stand. If so, the M.P.A. director will solicit necessary
information from the instructor to make a reasoned judgment on the petitioner's
case within 10 business days of receiving the appeal.
- As a result of the investigation, the student's grade may i) remain unchanged, ii) be amended to
the requested grade, or iii) be amended to the correct grade in the event
neither the recorded grade or the requested grade is accurate.
- A student may appeal the M.P.A. director's decision to the dean of SPAA, following the format of the initial appeal
and including any new or additional documentation, including the instructor's
formal response as well as that of the M.P.A. director. The dean must receive any
further appeal (electronically) within five business days of the M.P.A. director's
response. The dean will then assess whether the student has established a valid
basis for appeal and if the appeal has been received within the time limits
established by this policy. If not, the student will be notified and the
recorded grade will stand. If so, the dean will solicit necessary information
from the instructor and the M.P.A. director to make a reasoned judgment on the
petitioner's case within 10 business days of receiving the appeal. The dean
will collect any additional evidence he or she considers appropriate. As a
result of the investigation, the student's grade may i) remain unchanged, ii)
be amended to the requested grade, or iii) be amended to the correct grade in
the event neither the recorded grade or the requested grade is accurate.
- Appeal to the dean constitutes the appeal of last resort. Decisions of the dean of
SPAA are final; there are no appeals beyond the dean of SPAA.
- All grade appeal requests and decisions will become part of
the student's permanent record at SPAA.
