Department of Statistics (September 9, 1986) The student's first recourse is to the instructor assigning the grade. Any student who believes a final grade in a course is unfair must meet with the instructor of the course (a) by the end of the first eight weeks of classes of the first regular full term (Fall or Winter) following the completion of the course, or (b) within eight weeks of the issuance of a grade received by making up a grade of "incomplete". Requests to file complaints at later times will be considered in unusual circumstances. If, upon discussion with the instructor, the student still feels he/she has been wronged, he/she may bring their complaint to the Department Chairperson. The Chairperson will hear the student's complaint and obtain the instructor's reply. The Chairperson may decide, normally within one week of the complaint (a) that the complaint is unjustified and take no action, or (b) that the complaint may be justified. In the latter case the Chairperson will attempt to negotiate a fair solution to the complaint. If (1) and/or (2) do not produce a solution satisfactory to both student and instructor, then either party may request a formal review to be conducted by the Department's Standing Committee on Curriculum (comprised of two faculty members and one student). This review must be requested in writing addressed to the Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee within two weeks of the alleged injustice. The Committee will schedule a hearing, at a time agreeable to both parties, usually within a week of receipt of the request for review. The Committee shall then prepare a written summary of its findings and recommendations, copies of which shall be distributed to the student, instructor, and Department Chairperson. If the Review Committee finds that the instructor has not acted fairly or properly, it should attempt to persuade the instructor to change the grade. Should this attempt prove unsuccessful, the Committee may then determine if some alternative action is acceptable, e.g., allowing the student to drop the course, permitting the course to be expunged from the record, or consenting to awarding partial credit for the course. If all attempts fail and if the Committee remains convinced that the student has been graded unfairly or improperly, the Committee may, at its discretion, prepare a letter setting forth its view of the instructor's conduct and forward the letter as a matter of record to the Department's executive or appropriate personnel committee. A letter may be prepared for the student, with a copy for the student's file. Any person other than the members of the Board, the instructor whose grade is being questioned and the complaining student who desires to be present at the hearing must petition the Board for the privilege of attending. The Hearing Board is empowered to decide whether such a third party will be permitted to attend. The Hearing Board will hear a complaint and the reply of the instructor and will ask any questions that seem appropriate. If the Hearing Board concludes that a complaint is justified, it will recommend a course of action to the instructor. If the Board concludes that a complaint is not justified, it will so inform the complainant. It will also submit a copy of its conclusion to the Office of the Assistant Dean, 1402 Mason Hall. This will constitute the end of the appeal process. Did you find what you were looking for? If not, please email us at SAA.Webmaster@umich.edu. College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Student Academic Affairs 1255 Angell Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1003 Phone:(734) 764-0332 Fax: (734) 764-2772 University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index This page maintained by LS&A Academic Information and Publications, G415 Mason Hall Copyright © 2001 The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA +1 734 764-1817 Trademarks of the University of Michigan may not be electronically or otherwise altered or separated from this document or used for any non-University purpose.