CLA Academic Integrity & Grade Appeals Information

College of Liberal Arts Appeal Guidelines

When students disagree with a grade or with an allegation of academic dishonesty, they have a right to appeal. This document outlines the appeal process followed for each situation in the College of Liberal Arts.

Effective December 01, 2020

Grade Appeals

Students who wish to initiate the appeal process must do so by the end of the following fall or spring term (Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.  Grades & Grading Policies*)

Letters may be submitted as e-mail attachments, mailed, or hand delivered as a hard copy

Step	Description
1	If a student is dissatisfied with a grade, the student must first meet/talk with the professor. Some problems or misunderstandings can be resolved through a conversation.
2	If the problem/misunderstanding is not resolved in a manner that is satisfactory to the student, the student must write a letter of appeal to the professor expressing specific concerns. The professor must provide a written decision to the student & copy the Chair.**
3	If the student is dissatisfied with the professor's response, the student must write a letter to the Chair** including prior correspondence. The Chair will review the appeal and may ask to meet/talk with the student and/or faculty member if further clarification is needed. The Chair must provide a written decision to the student and copy the professor.
4	If the student is dissatisfied with the Chair's** response, the student may write a letter of appeal to the Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow). Attach all copies of prior correspondence from the professor and Chair. Review of the appeal will not begin until all documentation is received.
5	The Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow) will review the appeal and may ask to meet with the student if further information is required. The Associate Dean will inform the student in writing of the decision regarding the appeal. The Chair and the professor will be copied on the response. Substantive appeal decisions are final at the college level. Only procedural appeals move to #6.
6	If the student believes that the procedures involved in the final decision reached by the Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow) were inconsistent with College or University guidelines or policies as related to a procedural appeal, the student may appeal those decisions by submitting a letter to the Academic Standards Committee (undergraduate) or Graduate Studies Committee (graduate). The decision of the Academic Standards Committee is final.

*”Students who feel an earned grade was inconsistent with the terms set forth by the instructor at the beginning of the term, normally outlined in the course syllabus, must address their disagreement first with the course instructor who is primarily responsible for assigning the grades. When students have a dispute with the determination made by the course instructor, they may appeal to the department chair, the dean of the academic college, then the Academic Standards Committee via the Registrar's Office. The decision of the Academic Standards Committee is final. Students who wish to initiate the appeal process must do so by the end of the following fall or spring term”. Grades & Grading Policies

**If the Chair is the professor, the student should substitute the Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow) for the role of Chair in #2 and should skip #3 and #4 and move from #2 to #5.

Appeals Related to Academic Integrity Violations

The CLA process related to Academic Integrity, outlined below, is consistent with the University Policy.

Faculty members should report alleged violations of the Student Academic Integrity Policy by submitting an Academic Integrity Violation form. 

The form is consistent with the TU Academic Integrity Policy and the Code of Student Accountability and is intended to streamline the process by which faculty may report allegations of student breaches of these policies.

Step	Description
1	The professor collects evidence related to the suspected integrity violation. The professor meets/talks with the student to present evidence of the violation and hear the student’s explanation. If the student's explanation is acceptable, no further action is required. If not, the professor reports the violation by completing the Academic Integrity Violation Form form accessed through this link.
2	If the student is dissatisfied with the professor’s decision and chooses to appeal the professor’s decision, the student must write a letter to the Chair** within five working days. All prior correspondence as well as any additional information must be included with the appeal letter to the Chair.
3	The Chair must meet/talk with the student and, if indicated, the professor within five working days. The chair must share the decision in writing with the student within five business days*** of their meeting. Copies of the letters should be sent to the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices and the CLA Dean’s Office attention to Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow).
4	If the student is dissatisfied with the Chair’s** decision and chooses to appeal, the student must submit a letter of appeal to the Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow) within five working days of the receipt of the Chair's letter. The student must include all prior correspondence with the letter of appeal. Review of the appeal will not begin until all documentation is received.
5	The Associate Dean (Dr. Karen Eskow) will review the appeal including related evidence and will share the decision with the student in writing. The chair and the professor will be copied on the response. Substantive appeals are final at the college level. Procedural appeals move to #6.
6	If the student disagrees with Associate Dean’s procedural decision, the student must submit a letter of appeal to the Student Appeals Committee, Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices within five working days after receipt of the Associate Dean’s letter. The Student Appeals Committee will inform the student in writing of its decision regarding the appeal. The decision of the Student Appeals Committee is final. Link to University Policy is at the top of the page.

**If the Chair is the professor, the student should substitute the Associate Dean for the role of Chair in #2 and should skip #3 and #4 and move from #2 to #5.

***Administrative responses will occur within 5 working days unless there is a compelling reason to extend this time-period.