Grievances/Complaints—Class

To initiate a grade grievance, a student should consult with her or his adviser who will review the grade grievance policy and associated processes. Students should first attempt to resolve the matter through writing (and possible discussion) with the instructor of the course no later than two weeks after posting of the final grade. 

All written correspondence by the student to the instructor concerning the grievance should be copied to the student's adviser.

If the issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved between student and instructor, the student may specify, in writing, the basis for the grievance and request a formal review by the M.S.W. program director. This request for review should be emailed to the associate dean for student affairs (Arlene Hunter at amhunter@ssw.rutgers.edu). This request for review must be submitted no later than four weeks after final determination by the instructor. Written notification of the action taken by the M.S.W. program director will be sent to the student no later than two weeks of the filing of the grievance.

A student who is not satisfied with the decision of the M.S.W. program director may appeal to the associate dean for academic affairs no later than two weeks after receiving the decision of the M.S.W. program director. This request for appeal should be emailed to the associate dean for student affairs (Arlene Hunter at amhunter@ssw.rutgers.edu). Written notification of the action taken by the associate dean for academic affairs will be sent to the student no later than two weeks of the filing of the appeal. The decision of the associate dean for academic affairs is final and binding.

The M.S.W. program director and/or the associate dean for academic affairs may consult with other faculty, directors, etc., who may have relevant information about a student's grievance.

Some things to keep in mind when corresponding with the instructor, M.S.W. director, or associate dean include:

• Your adviser serves as source of support and information in this process. Please consult with her or him throughout the process.
• Try your best to resolve the situation with your instructor before launching a grievance with the M.S.W. program director.
• Remember the bases of grade grievances are limited to computational errors and arbitrary and capricious decision-making.
• Watch policy time frames.
• Use professional language and tone in your grievance letter.

For questions about the grade grievance process, students are encouraged to speak with their advisers.

Policy (effective 2020-2021)

Students have the right to grieve their final course grades on the following grounds: (a) the student must demonstrate that either there was a computational error made by the instructor; or (b) the instructor determined the grade in an arbitrary or capricious manner. Grade grievances are limited to final course grades.

Procedures

1. To initiate a grade grievance, a student should consult with her or his adviser who will review the grade grievance policy and associated processes. Students should first attempt to resolve the matter through writing (and possible discussion) with the instructor of the course no later than two weeks after posting of the final grade.


2. If the issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved between student and instructor, the student may specify, in writing, the basis for the grievance and request a formal review by the M.S.W. program director. This request for review should be emailed to M.S.W. Program Director, Dr. Patricia Findley, at pfindley@ssw.rutgers.edu and cc: Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Arlene Hunter, at amhunter@ssw.rutgers.edu. This request for review must be submitted no later than four weeks after final determination by the instructor. The M.S.W. program director may consult with other faculty, directors, etc., who may have relevant information about a student's grievance.


3. The student will receive written notification of the action taken by the M.S.W. program director no later than two weeks of the filing of the grievance.


4. A student who is not satisfied with the decision of the M.S.W. program director may appeal to the associate dean for academic affairs no later than two weeks after receiving the decision of the M.S.W. program director. This request for appeal should be emailed to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Arlene Hunter, at amhunter@ssw.rutgers.edu. Written notification of the action taken by the associate dean for academic affairs will be sent to the student no later than two weeks of the filing of the appeal. The decision of the associate dean for academic affairs is final and binding.

• Your adviser serves as source of support and information in this process. Please consult with her or him throughout the process.
• Try your best to resolve the situation with your instructor before launching a grievance with the M.S.W. program director.
• Remember the bases of grade grievances are limited to computational errors and arbitrary and capricious decision-making.
• Watch policy time frames.
• Use professional language and tone in your grievance letter.

For questions about the grade grievance process, students are encouraged to speak with their advisers.