Student Grade Appeal Process
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
If you are an ASU student who believes your final course grade was assigned in error or was unfair, you may file a grade appeal. This process is designed to be educational, respectful, and transparent—not adversarial.
⚠️What this process is for:
This appeal process is only for final course grades that students believe were:
- Calculated incorrectly,
- Assigned inconsistently with the syllabus,
- Or applied in a way that appears arbitrary or capricious.
This process does not cover:
- Academic integrity violations (e.g., cheating or plagiarism),
- Faculty misconduct (e.g., unprofessional behavior),
- Discrimination or harassment (these should be reported to the Office of University Rights and Responsibilities).
Courses This Policy Covers
This policy applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Herberger Institute, including:
ADE, ALA, AME, ARA, ARC, ARE, APH, ARS, ART, ATE, DCE, DSC, EDS, FSH, FMP, GRA, HDA, IND, INT, IVD, LAP, LDE, MDC, MHL, MSC, MTC, MUE, MUP, MUS, THE, THF, THP
Timeline
Grade appeals must be submitted during the next regular semester after the grade is issued (fall or spring). Appeals cannot be reviewed during summer or university breaks, regardless of whether you're currently enrolled.
Two-Stage Process
1. School-Level Process
Step 1: Talk to Your Instructor
Start by meeting with your instructor to discuss your concerns. Keep copies of relevant emails, assignments, and any feedback.
Step 2: Contact Your School Director or Program Lead
If you’re not satisfied after speaking with the instructor, bring your concern to the school director or the senior faculty member in your area.
Step 3: File a Formal Appeal
If your concern is still unresolved, you may begin the formal appeal process with the Herberger Institute. You must include the findings of steps one and two in your formal appeal.
2. College-Level Appeal Process
Step 1: Submit Your Appeal Form
Complete the Academic Affairs Report form to start the formal appeal process. Your case will be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Students and Academic Programs and/or the Academic Integrity Officer (AIO).
Your submission must include:
- Heading: Your name, ASU ID, course title and line number, instructor name, term/session
- Statement: Why you are appealing the grade, what outcome you’re requesting, and a summary of your school-level attempts to resolve the issue
- Supporting Documents: Emails, assignments, syllabus, communications from your school, etc.
Step 2: Review and Adjudication by the Associate Dean/AIO
The Associate Dean or Academic Integrity Officer will review your case, evaluate the submitted materials and consult with the instructor or school leadership. You may be asked to set an appointment with the Associate Dean/AIO to answer questions. Almost all appeals are resolved at this stage through AIO review.
If the grade was clearly calculated incorrectly, applied inconsistently with the syllabus, or appears arbitrary based on documentation, the AIO may recommend a grade correction. If the evidence does not support a violation of policy, the appeal may be denied. In either case, you will be notified of the decision.
Step 3: Recommendation for Panel Review
In extraordinary circumstances—for example, the appeal reveals a grading issue that may affect multiple students, courses, or future academic policy, and/or the outcome may determine a student’s removal from a program—the AIO will recommend the appeal move to committee review for recommendation on outcome.
Grade Appeal Committee
If referred, a Grade Appeal Committee will be formed. This committee typically includes:
- Two or three faculty members from the Herberger Institute Curriculum Committees
- One student representative (undergraduate Student Senator or GPSA rep for grad students)
- One of the faculty panelists will serve as chair and the AIO or Dean’s office representative will facilitate the meeting.
Important Note:
The grade appeal panel is not a legal hearing. It's a structured review conversation where students and faculty may be asked clarifying questions. It is meant to support fairness and academic integrity, not assign blame or guilt.
Panel Process
- Committee Selection:
Students and instructors may each request the removal of one committee member due to potential bias. Members may also recuse themselves. - Document Sharing:
All documents are shared with the committee, the faculty member, and the school director. - Faculty Response:
The faculty member has 10 business days to submit a written response once notified of the panel. - Panel Meeting:
Within 10 business days of receiving the faculty response, the committee will meet. Both student and instructor should be present to answer questions. - Deliberation & Recommendation:
The committee discusses the case privately and submits a written recommendation to the AIO and/or the Dean within 5 business days. - Final Decision:
The AIO/Dean makes the final decision and notifies all parties. This decision is final and cannot be appealed further within the college.
Other Notes
- If the student does not attend the meeting without exceptional circumstances, the appeal may be considered abandoned.
- For concerns involving Faculty Associates, the unit will provide a 100% FTE to represent the area/course.
- If a grade change is approved, it will be submitted by the AIO and processed by the Dean’s Office and the Registrar.
