The Academic Appeals Procedure, University Procedure #202 provides an orderly process of appeals for decisions related to grades, and program and graduation requirements. If you feel you were evaluated unfairly by an instructor, you have the right to appeal the grade you were given in a particular course.
Helpful document:
- Academic Appeal (electronic submission).
Please note that there are specific procedures and regulations that govern the appeals process, and you are responsible for knowing these procedures. If you do decide to initiate an academic appeal, please read this document carefully. Academic Appeals Procedure, University Procedure #202.
Steps in the Academic Appeals Process
- Instructor Level Communicate with your instructor about the grade you were given. Either email or call the instructor, explain your concerns, and ask for specific information as to why you received this grade. It is the instructor's responsibility to provide you with a detailed accounting of how your grade was determined, including grades/marks given for specific assignments, how those assignments were weighted, and how your final grade was calculated. If you do communicate via email, it is a good idea to keep copies of all the emails that pass between you and the instructor.
- Formal Level If your informal appeal is denied by the instructor and you decide to pursue your appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee, you must contact Metropolitan State as soon as you receive your written denial from the instructor. Complete the Academic Appeal, and the appropriate person will reach out to you.
- Academic Appeals Committee If your formal appeal is denied at the Executive Director/Dean's level, you have the right to a formal appeal hearing before the Academic Appeals Committee. This committee is comprised of faculty representatives from the different colleges, academic advisors and students. It meets approximately once a month during the academic year (excluding summer).
The Academic Appeals Committee hears from both the student and faculty member (at separate times) and makes a recommendation to the Provost. Within two weeks of the appeal hearing, the Provost makes a final decision, which is conveyed to the student in writing. There is no appeal process beyond the Provost. Important Timelines: Students have 60 calendar days (Monday-Friday) from the date their final grade was posted to file a formal academic appeal. An academic appeal is considered filed when you have submitted the electronic form.
Once received, the Department Chair has 14 calendar days to respond to the student's formal appeal. If the Department Chair does not respond within 14 calendar days or denies the appeal in writing, the appeal is considered denied, and the student may move on to the next level of the appeal process (the Dean/Executive Director). Once the appeal letter is received by the Dean/Executive Director, the Dean/Executive Director has 14 calendar days to respond to the student's formal appeal. If the Dean/Executive Director does not respond within 14 calendar days or denies the appeal in writing, the appeal is considered denied, and the student may move on to the next level of the appeal process (the Academic Appeals Committee). The student must notify the ombudsperson in order to bring the appeal before the Academic Appeals Committee.