CHSP Grade Appeals Policy
STUDENTS: PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY—YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THIS INFORMATION
THERE ARE DATES AND DEADLINES RELATED TO THE APPEALS PROCESS
If you have questions, please contact: Sally Marion-Fetty, Senior Associate Dean, Dean's Office
Definitions: What are You (the student) Appealing?
This table lists the various reasons for an appeal and who has the burden of proof.
The person with the burden of proof has the responsibility to provide the evidence that will shift or change a conclusion, action, or decision.
| I want to appeal: | Burden of proof is on: |
|---|---|
| A final grade that I believe is unfair according to the grading policy in a course | The student |
| An action or decision that relates to my academic performance (e.g., academic probation, dismissal, or suspension) | The student |
| A disciplinary penalty related to academic misconduct (plagiarism, cheating, fabrication or falsification, or misrepresentations) | The faculty member or program |
| A grade penalty for professional or academic misconduct articulated by an academic program | The faculty member or program |
| A formal letter of reprimand | The faculty member or program |
Steps in the Appeals Process: Instructions for Students
**Please use the appeal worksheet in Appendix A to work through the steps below in your appeal**
STEP 1: Immediately upon the notice of a grade (a final grade in a course), action, or decision, contact your department chair or school director to determine whether your program has a grievance procedure of its own—before using the process outlined in this college policy document. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
STEP 2: IF using the process outlined in this document, the first step is to attempt to resolve the matter with your instructor, as soon as possible, on your own. You should make a concerted effort to resolve the matter with the instructor. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
STEP 3: Depending on whether your department or school has a grievance process of its own, you may follow the process outlined below by appealing at the department/school level. Please use this Qualtrics Link to submit your appeal and follow the instructions in Appendix A.
Your appeal must be received by the chair or director of your school or department no later than 21 work/school/business days from the beginning of the next semester following the semester in which you received the grade. For example, if the final grade is for a FULL-TERM summer class, you have 21 work/school/business days from the beginning (first day of class) of the immediate next fall semester to submit the appeal.
If you are appealing a grade from a 7-week term class, you have up to 21 work/school/business days from the start of the next immediate 7-week term. For example, if you are appealing a final grade from a first fall semester 7-week course, you have up to 21 work/school/business days from the start of the second 7-week term in that fall semester to submit your appeal.
It is in your best interest to submit your grade appeal immediately upon notice of the grade. If you are unsure about the deadline for submission of your grade appeal, please contact Dr. Marion-Fetty.
If the disputed grade is one that does not allow you to move on to a higher-level course in your program sequence, please make sure you reach out to your academic advisor to discuss options.
**Note: Please be aware of university holidays and closures. For example, you will likely not receive a response if you submit your appeal during the winter closure dates.
You will receive a response to your appeal (a decision) from the department or school within 21 work/school/business days from when you submitted the appeal.
What happens during those 21 work/school/business days after you submit your appeal?
- Your instructor will also submit a response using the Instructor Response form. You will receive a copy of this response when you receive the decision of the appeal. Your instructor will be encouraged to submit the appeal ASAP but has up to 10 work/school/business days to submit the response.
- The department chair/school director will attempt a resolution acceptable to both you and the instructor but does not have the authority to change a grade. The chair/director may convene a panel of impartial faculty members from within the department or school to review the appeal and assist in resolving the appeal at the department or school level. If the panel interviews you, they must also interview the instructor (and vice versa).
STEP 4: If you are unsatisfied with the appeal at the Department/School level, you may appeal to the College Dean.
To begin a college-level appeal, the Dean of the College must determine that your appeal has merit to continue in the appeal process. Inform your department chair/school director to please forward your appeal documents to the College Dean. Do this upon notice of the appeal decision, and no later than 47 work/school/business days from the start of the semester (defined as the first day of classes).
You may revise your original grade appeal submission (your instructor will receive your revised version). Your instructor may also revise their response (you will receive their revised version).
The Dean of the College has 10 work/school/business days to decide if your appeal has merit. If the Dean decides that your appeal does not have merit, you will be informed of that decision and that there are no more appeal opportunities. If the Dean decides that your appeal does have merit, the dean will form a College Appeal Committee comprised of five (5) impartial faculty members from the College. If the committee interviews you, they must also interview the instructor (and vice versa). The Dean’s appeal committee has up to fifteen (15) work/school/business days from the time of receiving the referral from the dean to reach a decision concerning the appeal. Majority vote rules and cannot be appealed any further.
For academic appeals, the committee has the authority to change the grade, action, or decision.
For disciplinary appeals, The Dean has up to 10 work/school/business days to review the committee’s report regarding the disciplinary penalty and/or to consult with the upper university administration or legal counsel. The Dean may accept the committee’s disciplinary recommendation, reject it, or revise it. The Dean’s decision regarding non-grade disciplinary matters is final and cannot be appealed.
You will be notified of the decision/action as a result of the Dean’s level appeal.
Notes relating to the grade appeal process/timeline:
- The calendar is the official university calendar from the Registrar’s office.
- "Work/school/business days” are those that occur during the fall, spring and summer semesters from the “opening date” to the “closing date” as reflected in the official university calendar, but do not include weekends, university closings, university holidays, or university breaks (e.g., spring break).
- The grade appeal process/timeline may be suspended at any point in the process at the Senior Associate Dean’s discretion. Possible examples include but are not limited to summer semester or unavailable instructor.
Helpful links:
Appendix C: Definitions and Resources
University Policies and Resources
Grade Appeals - Instructor Response
Original policy approved: December 1, 2012.
Revision (reviewed by university legal counsel & approved by the Dean): November 25, 2014
Revision and approval by the Dean: July 15, 2015 (next review October 1, 2016).
Revision and approval by the Dean: November 9, 2016 (next review November 1, 2017).
Revision per Faculty Senate Resolution signed 11/27/17; approved by the Dean April 10, 2018); policy effective fall 2018.
Major revision to clarify and simplify information. January 2021
Revision to align with OHIO faculty handbook. February 13, 2023
Minor revisions to clarify language and timeframes. April 2023