Grade Appeal

Grade appeal policy and procedure

The School of Nursing and Health Studies policy for students to appeal a grade they believe was assigned in error conforms to the UWB policy. The procedure is specific to the School and outlined below.

In accordance with The University Handbook/ UW Policy Directory (Chp 110.2), UW Bothell outlines the following procedures for the Written Appeal of Grade Error:

A student who believes he or she has been improperly graded first discusses the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s explanation, the student may submit a written appeal to the dean or director of the student’s academic unit (or their designee) with a copy of the appeal also to the instructor. The dean or director consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student’s performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the dean or director believe the instructor’s conduct to be arbitrary or capricious, and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the dean or director, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of that department, to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs should be informed of this action.

Once a student submits a written appeal, this document, and all subsequent actions on this appeal, are recorded in written form for deposit in a department or college file.

Grade appeal procedure

  1. A grade appeal must take place within 10 calendar days of the start of the following quarter.
  2. Students may consult with a program advisor at any time to discuss the steps of the Grade Appeal Procedure and how to move toward resolution.
  3. The student should first seek resolution to the grade dispute in conversation with their instructor. Faculty may require that the request and justification to have the grade re-evaluated be made in writing at the time the student emails to schedule an appointment. The conversation may be in person, by phone, or email depending on the preference of the faculty. The relevant Director may be included at this stage to help mediate a resolution.
  4. If the student-faculty meeting does not result in resolution, the students may appeal the grade by writing to the Dean within 5 days of the meeting with faculty. A copy of this appeal should also be sent to the instructor.

5. The Dean consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student’s performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the Dean believe the instructor’s conduct to be arbitrary or capricious, and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the Dean, with the approval of the voting members of the faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member of the faculty to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs should be informed of this action.

Approved:  Autumn 2018