Grade Appeal

The first step in resolving a problem with the grade awarded is to discuss the matter with the instructor that awarded the grade IMMEDIATELY after the grade was awarded. Most problems are resolved at this level.

If the problem is not resolved at the instructor level you may appeal the grade to the Associate Dean of the CoJMC. Please complete the Grade Appeals form and submit the additional documentation to the Associate Dean in Andersen Hall 147. Only courses within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CoJMC) will be reviewed by the Associate Dean or Executive Committee. The courses within CoJMC have the prefix of ADPR, BRDC, JOMC, JOUR or SPMC.

Appeals will only be reviewed within or before the first four weeks of the semester following the one in which the grade was awarded. Grades awarded in the fall semester will only be eligible for review within the first four weeks of the following spring semester. Grades awarded in the spring or summer semester will only be eligible for review within the first four week of the following fall semester.

If the Associate Dean is unable to make a clear judgment on the appeal, it will then be forwarded on to the CoJMC Executive Committee. If the student does not agree with the suggestion of the Associate Dean, they may appeal to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is made up of administrators and faculty members within the CoJMC. If the faculty member on the appeal is on the committee, they will not sit in on the review.

The Associate Dean and Executive Committee will only review cases in which the student believes they were unfairly assessed in their course not because of lack of knowledge on the subject. Grade appeals will not be considered that are based on the following arguments:

1. Graduation delay due to the course grade
2. Financial assistance was denied due to the grade awarded in the class
3. Progress towards graduation is delayed due to the course grade

Upon review of the appeal, the committee will make their recommendation to the instructor. The committee is unable to change grades and will only make recommendations. Therefore, the instructor will need to complete any changes to the grade if recommended. If either the student or the instructor feels the recommendation is unfair they will need to submit a grievance with Student Affairs.

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications Grade Appeal is designed to provide students with protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. A student with a concern about a grade should take the following steps:

1. Talk with the instructor involved. Many problems are resolved at this level.
2. If the matter is unresolved by talking with the instructor, please gather the supporting documentation listed below and submit the grade appeal form by clicking the button below. You will recieve an electronic copy of your appeal via email. 
   1. A personal account of the facts surrounding the awarding of the grade
   2. Evidence that proves the student has already discussed the grade in question with the instructor and no conclusion has been drawn
   3. Evidence that proves the student has worked quickly to resolve the issue (meaning within the first two weeks of the semester following the grade in question)
3. The Associate Dean will review the materials and has the right to consult with the instructor who assigned the original grade. The associate dean will notify you of the outcome of their review.
4. If the matter is unresolved after the associate dean, sumbit an second appeal to the executive committee using the button below.  The dean will notify you of the outcome of the executive committee review. To submit a second appeal you will need the following: 
   1. Copy of the original appeal
   2. Copy of the associate dean's response