Grade Appeals

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."

Article V - Student Grade Appeals

Section I.   Grounds for Appeal

1. A primary criterion for a successful grade appeal is the demonstration that the grade was based on factors other than a fair assessment of the student’s academic performance in the course.
2. The standards by which grades are assigned, the number and relative weight of assignments on which grades are based, and decisions to allow students to make up or retake missed examinations or assignments, are not grounds for appeal.

Section II.  Appeals at the Department Level

1. A student seeking a grade change must first discuss the situation with the course instructor. If the instructor declines to change the grade, the student may file an appeal with the Department Head.
2. To initiate an appeal, the student must submit to the Department Head a written petition that describes the grounds for his or her objection to the assigned grade. The Department Head may either review the appeal, meet with the student, and talk with the instructor, then provide a written decision to the student and the instructor, OR assign the grade appeal to a committee. The instructor who assigned the grade in question is not eligible to serve on this committee.
3. If the Department Head assigns the grade appeal to a committee, the review shall be conducted in accordance with the following guidelines.
   1. Both the student and the instructor will be afforded the opportunity to address the committee.
   2. If oral presentations are made, the committee shall meet separately with the student and the instructor.
   3. The student may have an advisor present at the committee. However, the advisor may not address the committee.
   4. The departmental committee shall decide the appeal by majority vote.
   5. The committee shall submit their decision in writing to the Department Head. The Department Head shall furnish copies of the committee’s written decision to the student and the instructor.
   6. If the committee rules in favor of the student, the instructor may file an appeal with the Academic Standards Committee, within thirty days after receiving the committee’s decision. The request for an appeal shall be made in writing, care of the Dean's office, and the instructor shall furnish a copy to the Department Head. If the instructor declines to appeal the decision, or does not file an appeal within 30 days, the Department Head shall submit the grade change to the Registrar's Office and submit a copy of the departmental committee’s written decision. If the instructor appeals the committee's decision within the 30-day period, the Department Head shall not submit the grade change, and shall inform the student that the instructor has filed an appeal.
   7. If the committee rules in favor of the instructor, the student may file an appeal with the Academic Standards Committee, within thirty days after receiving the committee’s decision. The request for an appeal shall be made in writing, care of the Dean's office, and the Dean's office shall furnish a copy to the Department Head. The Department Head shall then inform the instructor that the student has filed an appeal.

Section III.  Appeals at the College Level

1. Appeals at the College level shall be heard by the Academic Standards Committee of the Franklin College Senate.
2. Whereas academic departments are uniquely qualified in their areas of expertise and in the evaluation of academic performance in those areas, the Academic Standards Committee will give deference to the judgments and recommendation of the departmental committee and may only overturn a departmental committee determination by a two-thirds majority vote.
3. The College-level appeal shall be conducted in accordance with the following guidelines.
   1. All pertinent documentation from the departmental review shall be forwarded to the Academic Standards Committee.
   2. The Head of the Academic Standards Committee shall chair the appeal process.
   3. Both the student and the instructor will be afforded the opportunity to address the committee.
   4. If oral presentations are made, the committee shall meet separately with the student and the instructor.
   5. The student may have an advisor present at the committee. However, the advisor may not address the committee.
   6. A two-thirds majority vote shall be required for the Academic Standards Committee to overturn the departmental decision.
   7. The committee shall submit their decision in writing to the Dean’s office. The Dean’s office shall furnish copies of the committee’s written decision to the Department Head, the student and the instructor.
   8. If the committee rules in favor of the student, the instructor may file an appeal with the Educational Affairs Committee of the University Council, within thirty days after receiving the committee’s decision. The request for an appeal shall be in writing, and a copy shall be given to the Dean’s office. If the instructor declines to appeal the decision, or does not file an appeal within thirty days, the Dean’s office shall process the grade change. If the instructor appeals the committee's decision within the thirty-day period, the Dean’s office shall not process the grade change, and shall inform the Department Head and the student that the instructor has filed an appeal.
   9. If the committee rules in favor of the instructor, the student may file an appeal with the Educational Affairs Committee of the University Council, within thirty days after receiving the committee’s decision. The request for an appeal shall be in writing, and a copy shall be given to the Dean’s office. The Dean’s office shall then inform the Department Head and the instructor that the student has filed an appeal.

Section IV. Student Grievances Not Covered by the Grade Appeal Process

Excluded from this procedure are any allegations involving discrimination or harassment which may violate the University of Georgia Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and/or the University of Georgia Sexual Orientation Policy. Those matters shall be referred to the appropriate office as required by the applicable policy.

If the appeal at the college level is unsuccessful, please see information here to appeal to the Educational Affairs Committee of the University Council: https://honesty.uga.edu/Student-Appeals/Grade-Appeals/.

updated 5/22/2020 askfranklin@uga.edu