Procedures for Grade Appeals

The following procedures for grade appeals have been determined by the University of Western Ontario, and are available to review in detail at UWO Academic Calendar. Below are guidelines specifically designed to assist Huron students understand this process.


Students may submit a grade appeal for assignments and examinations related to a particular course.  Submission of a grade appeal should proceed in this order:

1. Informal consultation with the course instructor (informal consultation)
2. Submission of written request to Department Chair (or Dean, if course does not fall within a Huron academic department)
3. Submission of written request to Dean
 
The grounds for submitting an appeal may be one or more of: medical or compassionate circumstances, extenuating circumstances beyond the appellant's control, bias, inaccuracy or unfairness. All grounds advanced in a request for relief must be supported by a clear and detailed explanation of the reasons for the request together with all supporting documentation.

Ignorance of Senate regulations and policies and particular program requirements and policies as set out in the University Calendar does not constitute grounds for an appeal.

Procedure to Submit a Grade Appeal
Students must initiate each step of the appeal process as early as possible.  Resolution of the problem should first be attempted through informal consultation with the instructor. If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the instructor, or if the instructor fails to act, or cannot or will not be physically available within a reasonable time period, a written appeal may be submitted directly to the Department Chair or to the Dean in non-departmental courses. 
If the student is not satisfied by the decision of the Department Chair, s/he may then submit a written request to the Dean. 

A written request should include:
• A detailed explanation of the reasons for submitting the appeal
• Copies of all graded materials being appealed
• All relevant supporting documentation related to the appeal (eg. medical documentation, communication with the instructor, etc.)

Deadlines for Grade Appeals
A grade appeal must be initiated with the instructor as soon as possible after the mark is issued. In the event that the instructor is not available to the student, or fails to act, or if the matter is not resolved satisfactorily with the instructor, a written request for relief must be submitted to the Chair of the department within three weeks from the date that the mark was issued.
In the case of a final grade in a course, the written appeal must be submitted to the Chair of the department by the following dates:
January Marks: January 31st
April/May Marks: June 30th
Intersession: July 31st
Summer Evening: August 31st
Summer Day: September 15th
Spring/Summer Mediated Learning Courses: October 15th

A request for relief against a decision of the Chair must be made to the Dean in writing no later than three weeks after the Chair's decision is issued. All relevant information and documentation must be provided to the Dean with the request for relief.

Questions?

For general inquiries, or to make an appointment with the Dean or Associate Dean, please contact:

Rebecca Mudge
Executive Assistant to the Dean
Phone: 519-438-7224 ext. 281
Email: rmudge2@huron.uwo.ca