University of Georgia students have the right to appeal academic decisions. Usually the appeal goes first to the unit responsible for the decision (for example, grades to the faculty members who assigned the grades; department requirements to the department; college or school requirements to the school; university requirements to the Educational Affairs Committee). An unfavorable ruling at one level can be appealed to the successive levels (viz., a faculty decision can be appealed to the department; a department ruling can be appealed to the college in which the instructional unit is located; a college-level ruling can be appealed to the Educational Affairs Committee; the Educational Affairs Committee ruling can be appealed to the President of the University; and, except for grade appeals, the President's ruling can be appealed to the Board of Regents). All grade appeals must be initiated within one calendar year from the end of the term in which the grade was recorded. Please note the following information from the UGA General Academic Policy on Student Appeals: "Ordinarily, grades are assigned solely at the discretion of the instructor. A primary criterion for a successful grade appeal is the demonstration either that the grade was the result of a factual error or that it was influenced by improper or unprofessional bias on the part of the instructor." Initial Level for Academic Petitions* Subject of Petition First Level of Contact Academic dismissal** Franklin College Director of Student Academic Services Academic renewal Educational Affairs Committee Course deletion - Current semester Franklin College Director of Student Academic Services Course deletion - Previous semesters Educational Affairs Committee Course substitutions for major requirements Departmental Advisor Appeals or course substitutions for Franklin College requirements Academic Standards Committee Transfer Course substitutions for core requirements The College that houses the discipline UGA course substitutions for core requirements Not allowed UGA requirements (except Cultural Diversity and Environmental Awareness) Educational Affairs Committee Cultural Diversity Academic Standards Committee Environmental Awareness Environmental Awareness Subcommittee (submit appeal to currsys@uga.edu) Extension of an Incomplete Educational Affairs Committee Grade appeals Instructor Residency requirement Educational Affairs Committee Waiver of foreign language requirement for non-citizens Franklin College Director of Student Academic Services Withdrawal after midpoint Student Care and Outreach * Unfavorable rulings may usually be appealed to higher levels of academic administration. ** Second Dismissal students should begin the discussion of their dismissal with the Dean's Office, but the petition is ultimately presented to the Educational Affairs Committee. For more information contact: Dr. Diane MillerDirector of Student Academic ServicesFranklin College of Arts and Sciences346 Brooks Hall706-542-0035 Academic Standards Committee Office of Student Academic ServicesFranklin College of Arts and Sciences346 Brooks Hall706-542-0035 Guidelines for Petitions to the Academic Standards Committee Educational Affairs Committee Phillip Griffith706-542-4336 Guidelines for Petitions to the Educational Affairs Committee Additional details on appeals of academic matters, including special provisions for appeals in academic dishonesty cases, can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Instruction. updated 02.01.2023 Jon Hanna
