The student should first consult with the instructor and submit an LCON Undergraduate Grade Appeal Form, at the latest within two weeks of the beginning of the subsequent fall or spring semester, to provide a satisfactory resolution of the complaint. If the student cannot schedule a meeting with the instructor, the student may contact the BSN Program Director, who will schedule the meeting between the student and the instructor. The only exception to this step is the case in which the instructor is unresponsive or unavailable. In this case, the student may proceed directly to Step 2.

If the complaint is not resolved in Step 1, the student may present a complaint in writing by the end of the third week in the semester to the BSN Program Director. Included in the petition the student should attach the appropriate materials described above, and if available, the instructor’s written explanation for the assigned grade. The BSN Program Director will attempt to resolve the complaint in consultation with the instructor and the student. The BSN Program Director will provide a written response to the student within two weeks from the time the written complaint has been received. If the BSN Program Director was the instructor of the course, the student may proceed directly to Step 3. 

If the complaint has not been resolved at the program level, the student may appeal further by presenting a written petition to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, along with a copy of the materials presented at the previous stage and any written responses received from the department. At the latest, this petition should be presented within one week after the program response. Within two weeks of the time the complaint was received, the dean may use any resources available to resolve the conflict.

If the Associate Dean finds that the request does not have merit, the Associate Dean shall notify the student in writing, with copies sent to the instructor and the BSN Program Director. If the Associate Dean and the BSN Program Director agree that the grade should be changed, the Associate Dean shall be empowered to change the grade without the instructor’s consent. Either the student or the instructor may appeal this decision in Step 4. If the Associate Dean and the BSN Program Director do not agree, the Associate Dean shall present his or her view in writing to the student, with copies to the instructor and the BSN Program Director, so that the student may include that information in an appeal to the Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee for final resolution of the complaint.

If the complaint has not been resolved through the previous steps, the student may present a grade appeal petition addressed directly to the Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee through the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success. Copies of written materials and petitions presented at the previous steps, along with any written responses received from the department or the college, must be included with the petition at the time of submission. The deadline for submission of a petition is March 15 for grades awarded during the previous fall term, and October 15 for grades awarded during the previous spring or summer terms. (The Grade Appeals Committee does not meet during summer months.) The Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success will forward the petition along with the attached materials to the chair of the Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee, who will distribute copies to the members of the Committee.

The Committee members shall review the petition and the attached materials and then forward their recommendation to the chair of the Committee about whether a hearing is warranted in this case. If a majority of the Committee does not vote that the case merits a hearing, the grade stands as issued. If a majority of the Committee votes in favor of a hearing, the chair of the Committee shall inform the student and the instructor and shall arrange a hearing to be attended by the student, the instructor, and the members of the Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee or their designated alternates. The hearing may be attended remotely using technology. Copies of the Committee’s decision for the hearing shall be sent to the program director and dean of the college.

Prior to the hearing, the instructor should be given a copy of the student’s petition and supporting materials. If members of the Committee feel that additional factual information is needed prior to or after the hearing to render a decision, the chair of the Committee should inform the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success, of that request in writing, and that office should make every effort to provide that information in writing to the Committee. At the hearing, first the student and then the instructor will each have the opportunity to present their cases orally and to present any other written materials they deem appropriate. The Committee members shall have the opportunity to ask questions to both the student and instructor. At the end of the meeting, the student and then the instructor shall be given the opportunity for brief closing statements.

The chair of the Committee should inform the student, the instructor, the program director, the college, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success of the Committee’s decision in writing within one week of the hearing. If a majority of the Committee agrees that the grade should be changed, the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success will notify Student Records (Registrar’s Office) of the grade change. Otherwise, the grade shall remain as recorded. The decision of the Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee shall be final.

The Undergraduate Grade Appeals Committee shall be composed of seven members and seven alternates constituted as follows: a chair designated by the Vice President for Student Academic Success, a faculty member and alternate designated by the dean of the college involved, two faculty members and two alternates designated by the Faculty Senate, one student and one alternate designated by the college, two students and two alternates selected through the Student Government Association.

Although the primary responsibility of the Committee is to review grade appeals and assign the appropriate grade in cases where the appeal is upheld, the Committee shall also report any findings of discrimination or prejudice to the Office of the Vice President for Student Academic Success for further consideration and possible action.

 

Formal appeal requests can be submitted electronically to the BSN Program Director and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, within five (5) working or class days of receipt of notification of the dismissal. Submit Disqualification Appeal Form >>

Written Appeal should include: 

• One page narrative explaining extenuating and/or unexpected circumstances that contributed to academic disqualification 
• Appropriate documentation/evidence supporting appeal
• Explanation of academic plan and corrective actions taken to ensure continued success within the program

The BSN Program Director and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs will review all submitted dismissal appeals and render the final decision. Students will receive notification of a decision within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal.

Students who are academically disqualified are encouraged to work closely with the university's academic counseling center (AAC) at aac@memphis.edu to develop a plan for completing their degree at the University of Memphis. View Additional Support Options >>

 

Time Limitation: Early enough to meet the deadline in Step 2.

The student shall first consult with the instructor to provide a satisfactory resolution of the complaint. In the event the student cannot schedule a meeting with the instructor, the student may contact the program director, who shall schedule the meeting between the student and the instructor. If for any reason the instructor is not available, proceed to Step 2. If agreement is reached between the student and instructor, the appeal process ends.

Time Limitation: Twenty (20) class days into the following semester.

If the complaint is not resolved in Step 1, the student may present the complaint in writing to the student’s program director (FNP, Nursing Education, Executive Leadership). The petition should include the Graduate Grade Appeal Form, a written statement detailing the factual basis for the appeal, and the instructor’s written explanation for the assigned grade. The program director will attempt to resolve the complaint in consultation with the instructor and the student. The program director will provide a written response to the student within twenty class days from the time the written complaint has been received. If the program director was the instructor of the course, the student may proceed directly to Step 3.

The program director is empowered to change the grade if they find that the original grade was based arbitrary or other reason not related to academic performance. The chair shall notify both the student and the faculty in writing of the action taken.

Time limitation: Within five (5) class days after Step 2.

If the complaint is not resolved in Step 2, the student or instructor has five (5) class days of decision notification to request in writing (with a copy to the Graduate School) that the program director forward the appeal to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The program director shall provide the Graduate Appeal Form, the program director’s written rationale, a copy of all correspondence and decisions, and any other records pertaining to the appeal.

The Associate Dean for Academic Programs should resolve the grade appeal within 20 class days. If the Associate Dean finds that the request lacks merit, they shall notify the LCON Academic Bulletin – Spring 2023 99 student, the faculty, and the chair in writing; the grade shall remain as recorded. The Associate Dean is empowered to change the grade if they find that the original grade was based arbitrary or other reason not related to academic performance. The Associate Dean must provide a written rationale for any decision made, which shall become part of the file.

Time limitation: Within five (5) class days after Step 3.

Either the student or the instructor may appeal the Associate Dean for Academic Program’s decision by filing a written request for a hearing before the Graduate Grade Appeals Committee with the Dean of Graduate Studies or designee. This request must be accompanied by the Graduate Grade Appeal Form, a copy of all correspondence, including the dean's written recommendation, and other records pertaining to the complaint.

The Dean of the Graduate School (or their designee) shall forward the request to the chair of the Graduate Appeals Committee. The chair shall subsequently distribute copies of the request to the members of the committee for consideration. If the Committee finds the student’s or the instructor’s request merits a hearing, the Committee shall notify the student, the instructor, the program director, and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the date, time, and the location of the hearing. If the Committee finds that the request does not merit a hearing, the student, the instructor, the program director, and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs shall be so notified in writing. The hearing may be attended remotely using available technology.

The Graduate Appeals Committee should resolve the appeal within twenty (20) class days. To hold a hearing, the seven (7) members of the Committee (or appropriate alternates) must be present. The instructor and student will present their cases at the hearing in each other’s presence. If a majority of the Committee agrees that the grade should be changed because it was based on an arbitrary or other reason not related to academic performance, the Committee shall notify the Dean of the Graduate School, who shall be empowered to change the grade without the consent of the instructor, the program director, and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. Otherwise, the grade shall remain as recorded. The decision of the Committee shall be communicated to all parties in writing. The decision of the Graduate Appeals Committee shall be final.

The appeals procedure is not complete until all appropriate records are forwarded to the Graduate School Office. At this time, the Dean of the Graduate School shall notify the Office of the Registrar, Corrections, of any grade change. A copy of the Graduate Appeals Form shall become a part of the student’s file. A permanent record of all grade appeals reviewed by the Appeals Committee shall be maintained in the Graduate School.