Student Guidelines for Grade Appeals

(For Master and Specialist degree students)

1. Discuss concerns with your course professor :
   1. keep orderly notes - including dates of conversations
2. Students may end the appeal process with the professor. Or, they can express concerns:
   1. in writing - as an additional course evaluation memo, or
   2. in person - by meeting with the SLIS Administrative Contact
      (Rhonda Spencer for Master and Specialist degree students)

   Formal grade appeals may be pursued for:

   1. clear procedural error (e.g. changes in syllabus or grading procedures)
   2. non-academic issues (e.g. discrimination - there are additional campus support resources for concerns of this nature)
3. Students who wish to pursue a grade appeal will provide a written request to the SLIS Administrative Contact - documenting as clearly as possible the reason for the appeal. The IU Student Advocates Office can help (Franklin Hall 206 -- 812.855.0761). They have retired faculty and staff available for consultations.

   A summary cover sheet should provide:

   1. Your Name and ID Number (your mailing address, phone, and email would be helpful)
   2. Course, Semester, Professor
   3. Which grade you are appealing (final, course project, etc.)
      -and what you would consider to be a fair grade
   4. A statement that you have met with your professor, and that you now request that the SLIS Administrative Contact meet with your professor regarding your grade appeal.
4. The SLIS Administrative Contact will then meet with your professor to discuss the appeal.

   You will be notified in writing of the outcome of this meeting:

   1. a. that your grade will be changed, or
   2. b. that your grade will not be changed -
      you will then be given the option to meet with the
      SLIS Academic Fairness Committee

   The IU Bloomington Academic Guide by the Office of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculties states in "Documents, H-XXVII Academic Fairness Committees":

   1. Each School/College on the Bloomington campus shall create an Academic Fairness Committee.
   2. Each Academic Fairness Committee shall contain representation of faculty and students.
   3. The Academic Fairness Committee shall be empowered to consider procedural errors in assigning grades and to direct the Dean of the School/College to change grades on the basis of the Committee's findings.
5. You must notify the SLIS Administrative Contact in writing if you would like to meet with the SLIS Academic Fairness Committee. This committee will be composed of two faculty members and one SLIS student selected by the Dean.

   You will be notified in writing when your meeting will be held - and of the outcome of the meeting after review by the Dean. The decision is final.