Reasons for A Final Grade Appeal:
A student may appeal a final grade(s) for a variety of reasons. Typically, an appeal may be filed due to reasons such as:
– miscalculation of marks (ex. your term marks show that you should have received a higher grade)
– misgrading of paper/exam (ex. you believe there was an error made in grading your paper/exam)
– application of an evaluation or grading system which was not included in the course outline (ex. the course evaluation process was changed during the course, and was not laid out in the course outline or approved by class consensus)
– unfair or inequitable process in determining the final grade
– Other reasons not mentioned (should consult with a Student Advocate)
Types of Final Grade Appeals:
There are three types of final grade appeals that can be granted:
- Re-reading/grading of the final exam (if grade being appealed was based only on the final exam)
- Re-reading/grading of the final exam and review of term mark calculation (if grade being appealed was based on the final exam as well as term work)
- Review of term mark calculation (if grade being appealed was based only on term work)
How to file a Final Grade Appeal:
– discuss concerns with your professor/instructor and see if things can be resolved informally
– if still unresolved, fill out a Final Grade Appeal Form (available from registrar’s office or online here)
– Submit the completed form (with or without an accompanying letter), as well as a copy of the exam/work to be reviewed, a copy of the course outline, and any other documents, to the Registrar’s Office (400 UMSU University Centre) with a payment of $35.00 within the appeal time frame.
Important information regarding Final Grade Appeals:
– Students have the right to seek advice/assistance from a student advocate throughout a Final Grade Appeal process
– The $35.00 fee will only be refunded if the Final Grade Appeal is granted
– A Final Grade cannot be lowered through a Final Grade Appeal process.
Further Appeals:
If a Final Grade Appeal is denied and a student is not satisfied with the decision, they have the right to appeal to the Faculty/College/School, and then to the Senate Level (Senate Committee on Appeals). The Appeal process at higher levels looks similar to the process described in “Academic Disciplinary Appeals,” except that Senate Committee on Appeals does not assign disciplinary action, but rather determines whether decisions about accommodations, awards, or academic progress should be upheld, partially upheld, or struck down.
To file a Final Grade Appeal to the Dean or Director of a Faculty/College/School, contact the general office for said Academic Unit and inquire about the submission process.
To file a Final Grade Appeal to the Senate Committee on Appeals, an appeal can only be filed on the following grounds:
- failure of the Faculty/College/School or Dean/Director to follow procedures
- failure of the Faculty/College/School or Dean/Director to follow the rules of natural justice
- failure of the Faculty/College/School or Dean/Director to reasonably consider all factors relevant to the decision being appealed
- that a Faculty/College/School governing document has become inapplicable through lapse of time or was unfairly applied
- that there is an apparent conflict between a Senate governing document and a Faculty/College/School governing document
- failure of Senate, the Faculty/College/School or Dean/Director to comply with applicable legislation
To view the Senate Committee on Appeals Policy & Procedure, as well as relevant documents, click here.