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Grading Grievances

What is a grading grievance?

UCLA Academic Senate regulations assign the Committee on Privilege and Tenure (P&T) to review grievances from students who allege that they were assigned a course grade on any basis other than academic grounds. A grading grievance is a written complaint where a student alleges that an instructor assigned a grade for other than academic reasons. You may not file a grading grievance simply because you disagree with the grade. 

P&T reviews grading grievances from students who believe an instructor has assigned a course grade or evaluated the student’s work using criteria that were not clearly and directly related to the student’s performance in the course, including: 

  • Non-academic criteria such as race, ancestry, national origin, disability, religion, age, and other categories protected by law and University policy; or
  • Application of academic criteria in a manner not reflective of student performance in relation to course requirements.

P&T does not have authority to evaluate the academic merits of a grade an instructor has assigned. P&T will not review claims of procedural errors unless they are part of allegations of “other than academic grounds.” A grading grievance may only be filed after grades are final and the course is complete. 

A grading grievance is NOT allowed if it is based on disagreements with any of the following:

  • Course requirements
  • Course policies
  • General grading scheme of the course
  • Assessment of the quality of a student’s work
  • Assessment of a student's participation in course activities
  • How a grade was calculated, including extra credit

For the purposes of this process, a grade includes a mark indicating level of achievement as well as other forms of evaluation such as approvals of capstone projects. Both undergraduates and graduate students who are enrolled at UCLA are eligible to file grading grievances. (See below for some graduate student exceptions.) 

The grading grievance process is open to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. However, the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA School of Law and the School of Dentistry each have their own process for grading grievances. Students who are pursuing professional degrees (e.g. M.D., J.D., D.D.S.) in these professional schools should follow their school’s processes for grading grievances.

Students who are pursuing non-professional graduate degrees (e.g. M.A., Ph.D.) at one of these professional schools should use the P&T grading grievance process.

Before filing a grade grievance, students should read carefully the Academic Senate regulations pertaining to grading. Students should also document the steps they have taken to address their grading concern before filing a grievance. Unless the student can document allegations of misconduct by the instructor, students must provide evidence that they contacted the faculty in charge of the course in a timely way to discuss their concerns.

If you have reason to believe you have been evaluated for other than academic reasons (not simply a grade disagreement), follow the steps below.

  1. Write to the instructor of the course to request clarification and try to resolve your concern. If you do not receive a response from the instructor, approach the department chair to request that the chair attempt to facilitate a consensual resolution of the issue.  The department or program chair does not have the authority to make an instructor change a grade; however, the chair may help to facilitate the discussion between the faculty and student.
  2. After engagement with the instructor, if you believe that you were assigned a grade for other than academic reasons, submit all of the following documents to P&T via governance@senate.ucla.edu(link sends email):
    1. a completed grading grievance form (linked below). 
    2. the course syllabus
    3. a grading breakdown (such as screenshot from MyUCLA and BruinLearn)
    4. evidence of your correspondence with the instructor and, if applicable, the chair
    5. evidence you believe shows the grade was assigned for other than academic reason.

We are unable to review incomplete submissions.

 

Grading grievance form:

Be sure to read the instructions on the form. Download the form and send the completed form along with your other materials listed above. 

NOTE: If your grievance includes a Title IX (sexual violence or sexual harassment) or discrimination complaint, follow this link to make a report:

  1. The P&T Committee will review your written grievance and may request additional materials if needed. 
  2. The P&T Committee will review your grievance and determine:
    • whether your grievance is a disagreement about your grade OR 
    • whether you have adequately demonstrated that your grade was assigned for other than academic reasons
  3. If P&T determines that it is simply a grade disagreement or that there is not sufficient evidence that a grade was assigned for other than academic reasons, P&T will dismiss your grievance. The Committee's decision is final; there is no appeal.
  4. If P&T determines that you have established that your grade was assigned for other than academic reasons, the Committee will report that finding to the Academic Senate Chair.
  5. The Academic Senate Chair will appoint a confidential ad hoc committee to determine whether the grade shall be changed.
  6. The ad hoc committee shall consist of at least three faculty members, with at least one member a representative of the department involved. The ad hoc committee will obtain available records and make a final decision concerning the grade. If the records are not adequate, then the committee may assign a grade of Pass, or allow the student to repeat the course without penalty.
  7. The ad hoc committee will report their determination to the Senate Chair, who shall report any change of grade to the Registrar.
  8. The ad hoc committee's decision is final. There is no appeal.

Questions? Email governance@senate.ucla.edu