Graduate Grade Reappraisal and Review of Research Progress Evaluation Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of these Procedures is to outline the process for submitting a request for grade reappraisal or review of research progress evaluation to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Definitions

For the purposes of these Procedures the following definitions apply:

“Appeal” means a graduate student request to Appeal the outcome of a Final Grade Reappraisal or Review of Research Progress Evaluation based on procedural irregularity.

“Coursework Reappraisal” means a graduate student request to review a specific piece of tangible coursework.

“Final Grade Reappraisal” means a graduate student request to review a final grade in a course.

“Graduate Faculty Appointment” means a faculty member with an academic appointment at the University who has been approved to participate in a graduate program in one of the three categories: Graduate Faculty, Associate Graduate Faculty or Emeritus/Emerita Graduate Faculty.

Scope and authority

These Procedures apply to all graduate-level grade reappraisals and review of research progress evaluation.

These Procedures do not apply to undergraduate-level grade reappraisals and academic standing reviews. For more information regarding undergraduate level reappraisals and academic standing reviews, please refer to the relevant policy.

The Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or successor thereof, is the Policy Owner and is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration and interpretation of these Procedures.

Procedures

Coursework Reappraisal

1. A student wishing a grade on a specific piece of tangible coursework to be reappraised, should make an appointment to meet with the course instructor to request the disputed piece of coursework be reappraised.
2. If this course of action does not satisfy the student, they may seek a Final Grade Reappraisal.

Final Grade Reappraisal

1. Request for an informal Final Grade Reappraisal
   1. Student may, with sufficient academic grounds, request a Final Grade Reappraisal.
   2. Prior to engaging in a formal Final Grade Reappraisal process, students are expected to contact the instructor to discuss the grade received and to request a review of their course work.
   3. Students should be aware that a request for a formal or informal grade reappraisal may result in the original grade being raised, lowered or confirmed.
2. Request for a Formal Final Grade Reappraisal
   1. If the student wishes to request a formal Final Grade Reappraisal, the student shall lodge a request with the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, who will contact the graduate program director and collect fees from the student for the reappraisal.
   2. Students must specify the rationale for their request by making clear the component of the final grade upon which they seek reappraisal.
   3. The graduate program director is responsible for:
      • ensuring that the work is reappraised by an appropriate faculty member with a graduate faculty appointment;
      • ensuring anonymity of both the student and the reappraiser during the reappraisal process; and,
      • communicating the result of the reappraisal (including the reappraiser's comments) and the route of reappraisal to both the student and the course instructor.
   4. The reappraiser is given the nature of the assignment and the rationale for the original grade.
   5. It is expected that every effort will be made to render the decision within 30 days of the reappraiser's receipt of the work.
   6. In the event that a student feels that the reappraisal procedures have not been followed appropriately, the student may submit, in writing, a formal request for a grade Appeal to the Graduate Studies Committee. Such Appeals can only be considered on the grounds of procedural irregularity.

Review of Unsatisfactory Research Progress Evaluation

1. Students may, with sufficient academic grounds, request that an unsatisfactory research progress evaluation be reviewed.
2. Request for Informal Review
   1. Students are normally expected to contact their research supervisor to discuss their evaluation and seek an informal resolution.
3. Request for Formal Review
   1. The request will be reviewed by a research progress evaluation review committee.
   2. This committee will be established by the supervisor's dean(s) and the program dean(s), should these be different.
   3. Should there be more than one dean involved, the deans will establish which dean(s) shall be responsible for managing the review.
   4. The research progress review committee will be comprised of the dean(s)’ delegate as chair and two faculty members with a Graduate Faculty Appointment to the student’s program.
   5. In reviewing the request, the committee shall meet with the student, who is entitled to be accompanied by a campus advisor at this meeting, provided 48 hours' notice is given as to the identity of the advisor.
   6. The committee may also meet with the research supervisor and the supervisory committee involved in the assessment.
   7. The committee will then conduct a thorough review of the matter and recommend a resolution to the dean. The dean will notify the student of the decision in writing.
   8. It is expected that every effort will be made to render the decision within 30 days of the committee having received the request.

   9. In the event that a student feels that the procedures have not been followed appropriately, the student may submit, in writing, a formal request for an Appeal to the Graduate Studies Committee.

Monitoring and review

These Procedures will be reviewed as necessary and at least every three years. The Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or successor thereof, is responsible to monitor and review these Procedures.

Relevant legislation

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Related policies, procedures & documents

Graduate Academic Appeals Policy
Graduate Grading System, Research Progress and Academic Standing Policy
Graduate Academic Calendar