The principle of academic freedom gives an instructor broad discretion in establishing the goals for a course, specifying the criteria by which student achievement is to be assessed, and making decisions about the student’s accomplishments according to those criteria. Thus, except in unusual circumstances, an instructor’s decision about a grade may not be overruled. A student may, of course, request that his or her instructor review a grade for any required work in a course.
A student who believes a final grade is in error should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student fails to persuade the instructor, the student may submit a written appeal within three weeks after the grade notifications are provided by the registrar’s office to the dean of the School in which the course is listed in the catalogue. The School dean will, in turn, designate a review committee. The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the dean of the College who will notify the instructor and the student, in writing, of the decision. Other than the course instructor, only the dean of the College may change a grade. (Detailed procedures are available from School deans and the Office of the Dean of the College.)