Policies: Student Academic Grievance

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An academic grievance is an allegation by a student of substantial and unjustified deviation, to the student’s detriment, from any of the following:
  • Officially announced or published policies, procedures, and/or requirements regarding admission into programs, schools, or individual classes.
  • Officially published grading policies of the University.
  • The instructor’s requirements for a course as announced to the class at the beginning of the semester.
  • The instructor’s own grading policies as announced to the class or as demonstrably applied to other students in that same class.

Students are required to seek resolution through informal discussion with the respondent(s) before filing a formal grievance

Rationale

The UWEC community fosters in one another creativity, critical insight, empathy, and intellectual courage, the hallmarks of a transformative liberal education and the foundation for active citizenship and lifelong inquiry. We are an inclusive community that challenges students to develop their intellectual, personal, cultural, and social competencies. To this end, students should attempt to resolve issues through informal, direct communication. In applicable circumstances, a formal grievance is appropriate after this informal approach has taken place. See the Informal Resolution Procedures.

Applicability of the Policy

The Student Academic Grievance policy applies to all admitted undergraduate and graduate students, and all courses, independent of modality (classroom-based, blended, online) or schedule type (lecture, lab, independent study, etc.).

Matters Not Covered by the Student Academic Grievance Policy

The following circumstances are not covered under this grievance policy:
  1. Disagreement with an instructor’s evaluation of the student’s academic work—unless the allegation is one of the aforementioned deviations.
  2. General dissatisfaction with a departmental, unit, college, or University policy or practice of broad or general application is not grounds for a student academic grievance.
  3. Perceived discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or status as a member of a protected status or category. Please see the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and related resources.
  4. Perceived discrimination on the basis of a disability. Please see the Grievance Policy for Students with Disabilities.
  5. Perceived discrimination on the basis of sex. Please see the Title IX policy and university contacts.
  6. Sexual violence or sexual harassment. Please see the Sexual Violence or Sexual Harassment policy, which includes directions for how to report violations.
  7. Misconduct. To appeal a finding related to academic or non-academic misconduct, please see the Blugold Student Conduct Code.
  8. Other incidents related to a student’s university-sponsored living environment. Please see the Housing and Residence Life Judicial Code.

Procedures

Informal Resolution Procedures must be initiated within 30 days of the conclusion of the term when the alleged deviation occurred and prior to submitting a formal academic grievance. To review the procedures for an informal resolution, please click here.