GVSU Academic Grievance Procedures
Academic grievances are generally defined as those involving (a) procedures, policies, and grades in courses, (b) major, minor, or program (graduate or undergraduate) degree requirements, (c) general undergraduate university graduation requirements, such as general education, total credit, or residency requirements, or (d) graduate degree requirements, such as total credit or residency requirements. Filing of a grievance is required by the end of the following regular semester after notification of grade or receipt of adverse decision. Appeals of decisions must take place 30 days after receipt of notification.
A. Resolution of an academic grievance involving procedures, policies, and grades in individual courses. The resolution of academic grievances is based on two principles: first, that the resolution of a grievance should be sought at the lowest possible level, and second, that pathways for appeal exist for both faculty members and students. Resolution should be pursued as follows:
- An appeal to the instructor. Normally, the instructor must respond to an appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.
- If the grievance is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, a further appeal could be made to the unit head who may request that the appeal be put in writing. Both the student and the faculty member will be notified in writing of the unit head's decision, within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.
- If the disposition by the unit head is not acceptable to either party, an appeal in writing may be made by either party to the dean of the college. If the dean feels that there is some merit in the written grievance, he or she may establish a committee to review the grievance and make a recommendation within 30 days to the dean. Such a committee may include a representative of the dean's office, a faculty representative from the college of the course under appeal, and a student representative. If a student representative is to be included in the committee, the student that is a party to the appeal must sign a FERPA release/waiver prior to the committee convening. Within 30 days of receiving the committee's recommendation in the latter procedure, the dean shall rule on the grievance. Both the student and the faculty member will be notified in writing of the dean's decision. The dean's review and judgment in the case will be final.
B. Resolution of an academic grievance involving fulfillment of program, major, or minor degree requirements should be pursued as follows:
- An appeal to the unit head or graduate program director.
- If the grievance is not resolved to the student's satisfaction at this level, an appeal to the dean of the college would be possible, in the same manner as outlined in (A).
C. Resolution of an academic grievance involving fulfillment of general undergraduate university requirements, should be pursued as follows:
1. a) For general education, an appeal should be made to the general education director.
b) For residency requirements, students should contact their academic advisor to request the appropriate approvals for the student's program.
c) For supplemental writing skills (SWS) requirements, an appeal should be made to the director of SWS.
2. If at this point the grievance is still not resolved to the student's satisfaction, a further written appeal could be made to the provost or the provost's designate. In this case, the provost or designate may establish a committee to review the grievance and make a recommendation within 30 days. Such a committee shall include a representative of the provost's office, a faculty representative related to the student's major, and a faculty representative from outside the student's college. Upon receiving the committee's recommendation, the provost will render a final judgment in the case.
D. Exceptions to institutional graduate degree requirements sought by individual students will be determined by the dean and the provost or the provost's designate.
The student filing the grievance may have an observer from the Dean of Students Office or a person of their choice attend any meeting at which the student appears. The faculty member involved in the grievance may have an observer of their choice attend any meeting at which the faculty member appears.
Retrieved from 2022-2023 Catalog