UTA School of Social Work Grade Grievance Policy

Overview

A grade grievance is a formal, multi-step process that addresses a concern raised by a student regarding what is perceived to be an unfair assignment of a grade. This policy ensures fairness, transparency, and due process in academic evaluation. The UTA School of Social Work follows the grade grievance policies and procedures of UTA.

  • Final Grade Only: Applies only to final course grades, not individual assignments. If an individual assignment significantly affects the final course grade, that can be explained in the grievance process.
  • Procedural, Not Subjective: Grievances must be based on failure to follow a requirement described in the course syllabus, not on disagreement with academic judgment.
  • Evidentiary Standard: Students must provide a preponderance of evidence to support their claim.
  • Confidentiality: All proceedings are confidential and limited to involved parties.

Note: If this is a non-academic bias where the student’s grade was influenced by discrimination based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics, please contact the Office of Title IX and Discrimination Complaints to file a report.

Legitimate Grounds for a Grievance

  • Computational or Clerical Errors: Mistakes in calculating or recording the grade.
  • Unfair Application of Standards: Instructor applied inconsistent grading criteria.
  • Violation of Course Policy: Grading deviated unreasonably from the syllabus.

Step-by-Step Process

  • Contact the Instructor: After final grades have been posted in MyMav, initiate a respectful conversation via email or office hours. Include documentation.
  • Submit a Request: If there is no resolution to the student’s satisfaction, complete the designated form. (See Grade Grievance Forms below.)
  • Compile Evidence: Include syllabus, graded work, communications, and a detailed explanation.
  • Instructor Response: Instructor is invited to submit documentation and a rebuttal.
  • Committee Review: The Student Success Review Committee evaluates the process—not the academic content. The committee does not regrade work—only evaluates if procedural irregularity was present.
  • Written Decision: A dated decision with rationale is issued to the student via email.
  • Further Appeal: If the student disagrees with the decision rendered by the Student Success Review Committee, the student may appeal to the Dean of the School of Social Work by contacting the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to initiate the appeal.

Possible Outcomes

  • Grade Upheld: No evidence of procedural irregularity or preferential treatment; original grade remains.
  • Grade Changed: A new grade is assigned due to procedural irregularity or preferential treatment.

Grade Grievance Forms