Students generally accept an instructor’s assessment of their academic work. However, situations arise where a student believes their grade is unfair or improperly assigned. Common concerns include bias, arbitrary changes in course requirements, and inconsistent application of grading standards. In such instances, open discussion and mediation can help uncover the facts and determine if a legitimate grievance exists. It’s important to note that these procedures are not intended to challenge an instructor’s fundamental right to evaluate student work. This Lsa Course Guide outlines the process for grade appeals within the LSA context.
Understanding Grounds for Grade Appeals in LSA Courses
For a grade change to be considered, a student must demonstrate that the original grade was demonstrably unjust. Simply disagreeing with a grade is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. The lsa course guide emphasizes that grade appeal procedures are specifically for reviewing cases of alleged capricious grading, not for re-evaluating an instructor’s professional judgment of a student’s work quality. Capricious grading, within this framework, is defined by the following criteria:
- Grading Based on Non-Performance Factors: Assigning a grade based on factors unrelated to the student’s performance in the course.
- Differential Standards: Applying stricter or more demanding grading standards to a particular student compared to other students in the same course.
- Deviation from Announced Standards: Assigning a grade that substantially deviates from the instructor’s previously communicated grading criteria.
It is important to note that correcting clerical errors is a separate process and does not require a formal grade appeal. Instructors can rectify such errors by submitting a Supplementary Grade Report. This lsa course guide focuses on the formal appeal process for more substantial grading grievances.
We acknowledge the importance of rectifying unjust grades and providing students with a fair avenue for appeal. The grade appeal procedure serves this crucial purpose. However, it’s vital for the committee reviewing an appeal to recognize its limitations. They cannot possess the same depth of subject matter expertise or familiarity with course-specific materials as the original instructor. Furthermore, grading inherently involves a degree of imprecision. The distinction between a C and a B-, for example, is often nuanced and not suitable for extensive formal disputes. When evaluating individual cases, the committee lacks comprehensive insight into the overall performance distribution of the entire class. Therefore, they must exercise caution in raising an individual student’s grade, as this could inadvertently diminish the perceived achievements of other students who may have performed even better and received higher original grades. A grievance based solely on the argument that one instructor’s grading standards are stricter than another’s will not be considered valid. This lsa course guide clarifies these limitations to ensure a realistic understanding of the appeal process.
Students considering a grade appeal should be aware that the review committee will not, and must not, substitute their judgment for that of the instructor except in demonstrably clear cases of capricious grading as defined above. The burden of proof in challenging an assigned grade rests entirely with the student. In situations where reasonable doubt exists, the original grade will be upheld. The department’s responsibility to address a grade complaint is limited to one term following the term in which the course was taken. This time limit is a key aspect of the lsa course guide.
The LSA Grade Appeal Adjudication Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
This lsa course guide outlines the formal adjudication process for grade appeals within LSA. The process is structured to ensure fairness and due process while respecting the instructor’s academic judgment.
-
Initial Consultation with Instructor: Within the first two weeks of the subsequent semester, the student must formally communicate their grade concerns in writing to the instructor who assigned the grade. The student should request a meeting to discuss the matter. During this meeting, the instructor should explain the rationale behind the assigned grade and provide the student with an opportunity to identify any perceived errors or misjudgments. If the instructor of record is a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), the student should first consult with the GSI. If a resolution is not reached with the GSI, the student should then contact the faculty member overseeing the course. If the instructor is unavailable, the student should proceed directly to Step 2. For fall term grades, Step 1 should be completed by January 30th of the following year. For spring, summer, or winter term grades, the deadline is September 30th. Grievances outside this timeframe will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.
-
Meeting with the Director of PICS: If the initial meeting with the instructor does not resolve the issue, the student should then discuss the problem with the Director of PICS (likely referring to a program within LSA, to be specified for clarity in a real lsa course guide). The student must submit a formal letter to the Director detailing the complaint. The Director of PICS will then solicit a response from the instructor. Following this, the Director will determine if sufficient grounds exist to warrant a committee hearing. If the Director of PICS is involved in the grievance, their responsibilities will be assumed by the Director of the International Institute (again, to be specified for clarity in a real lsa course guide).
-
Director’s Decision and Student Options: If the Director of PICS concludes that a committee hearing is not justified, they will inform the student accordingly. However, even if the Director advises against it, the student retains the right to insist on a committee hearing. This lsa course guide ensures students understand their right to pursue their appeal.
-
Referral to Ad Hoc Review Committee: If the Director of PICS determines that grounds for a formal hearing exist (based on the review in step 2) or if the student persists in requesting a hearing despite the Director’s recommendation, the grievance will be forwarded to an ad hoc review committee.
-
Composition of the Review Committee: The review committee will consist of three members appointed by the Director of PICS (or the Director of the International Institute, if applicable): two faculty members and one student. The student member will be an undergraduate if the student filing the grievance is an undergraduate, and a graduate student if the grievant is a graduate student. This ensures peer representation in the review process, as detailed in this lsa course guide.
-
Committee Findings and Recommendations: The review committee will conduct its review and submit a written summary of their findings and recommendations to both the instructor and the Director of PICS.
-
Outcome if Original Grade is Upheld: If the review committee concludes that the assigned grade should stand, the Director of PICS (or the Director of the International Institute) will inform the student in writing that the grade will not be changed and that no further appeals are possible within the International Studies Program (or relevant LSA department/program). This lsa course guide clarifies the finality of the decision at this stage.
-
Committee Recommends Grade Change: If the review committee determines that the instructor did not act fairly, properly, or judiciously, the Director of PICS will attempt to persuade the instructor to implement the committee’s recommendations, which may include a grade change.
-
Instructor Refusal and Final Program Decision: If the instructor declines to change the grade despite the recommendations from the review committee and the Director of PICS, the instructor must provide a written explanation for their refusal to both the student and the Director of PICS. The Director of PICS will then provide the student with a written statement summarizing the entire appeal process, including the review committee’s recommendations, their own evaluation of the committee’s findings, and the instructor’s refusal to change the grade. It is crucial to understand that there is no further appeal beyond the International Studies Program (or relevant LSA department/program). This point is clearly stated in this lsa course guide.
-
Finality of the LSA Program Appeal Process: These procedures constitute the complete grade appeal mechanism available within the International Studies Program (or relevant LSA department/program). Once these procedures have been fully exhausted, no further appeals within the Program are permitted. This lsa course guide emphasizes the definitive nature of the program-level appeal process.
An exception to the initial consultation step exists when the instructor is no longer affiliated with the University of Michigan. In such cases, a student may directly present their grievance to the committee without prior discussion with the instructor. The committee will attempt to contact the former instructor to solicit a response and formulate a recommendation. If this attempt is unsuccessful, the Director of the Program, in consultation with the committee, may approve a grade change. This exception is an important consideration outlined in this lsa course guide.
This lsa course guide provides a comprehensive overview of the LSA grade appeal process, ensuring students are well-informed and prepared should they choose to pursue a grade grievance.
