Policies and Procedures

Grade Appeal Process

College and university students inevitably encounter faculty members who vary widely in teaching philosophy and demeanor and who use many different teaching styles. Not only is teaching influenced by course content, there are also many ways of conveying the same material. It is only natural that students will like the style and personality of some faculty members more than others. Disagreement with a faculty member over demeanor and teaching style, however, is not grounds for a grade appeal. Students have the opportunity to express their opinions on these matters through the course evaluation forms they submit for every UMUC Europe course.

Regardless of teaching style, it may happen that a student believes a faculty member’s determination of a final course grade has been arbitrary and capricious. The phrase “arbitrary and capricious grading” means the assignment of a course grade:

• on some basis other than performance in the course,
• by resorting to unreasonable standards different from those applied to other students in the course, or
• by standards that are substantial, unreasonable, and unannounced departures from the instructor's previously articulated standards.

A student who believes his or her final grade to be the result of arbitrary and capricious grading should first confer promptly with the faculty member of the course. There is a time limit on appealing a grade. Therefore, students who want to appeal a grade must initiate the process within 30 days of the posting of the grade.

If the student has not been able to contact the faculty member after a reasonable effort, or if the student and faculty member cannot, after consultation, reach a satisfactory resolution, the student must consult with the program director. If the student, the faculty member, and the program director are unable to reach a mutually agreeable solution, the student may file a formal grade appeal with the associate dean. 

For a formal grade appeal, the student must submit a written statement to the associate dean, explaining in detail the allegation that the grade was the result of arbitrary and capricious grading and presenting relevant evidence. The associate dean may dismiss the appeal if:

• The student did not first confer with the faculty member or program director,
• The allegations, even if true, would not constitute arbitrary and capricious grading,
• The appeal was not filed in a timely manner, or
• The student submitted the same, or substantially the same, complaint to any other formal grievance procedure.

If the appeal is not dismissed, a committee must be formed and a copy of the student’s written statement forwarded to the faculty member with a request for a written reply within 30 days. If a mutually agreeable solution is not achieved, the committee must hold an informal, nonadversarial fact-finding investigation. If a majority of the committee finds the allegations supported by clear and convincing evidence, the committee must take appropriate action to resolve the matter.

The decision of the committee must be final and must be promptly reported in writing to the parties.

A copy of the detailed procedural steps for grade appeals can be obtained from the administrator, Graduate Programs.

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