Step 1: Within the first five weeks of the semester the student should discuss the concerns with the course instructor, stating the reasons for questioning the grade. If the instructor is a teaching assistant/associate and this interview does not resolve the difficulty, the student shall discuss the problem with the person in charge of the course.

Step 2: Within the first five weeks of the semester, the student shall go to the college dean's office to obtain any requisite forms and to review directions. The student must attest in writing that s/he has informed the instructor s/he intends to file a grade appeal.

Step 3: Within the first five weeks of the semester, the student shall carefully formulate an appeal in writing, and submit it to the instructor with a copy to the department head.

Step 4: Within two weeks from the date of receipt of the student's written statement, the instructor shall respond to the student in writing. The instructor should explain the grading procedures and how the grade in question was determined as well as other issues raised in the student's statement.

Step 5: If the instructor is not available or does not resolve the matter within the two-week period, the student shall, within one week thereafter, readdress and submit the written appeal to the department head.

Step 6: The department head has two weeks to consider the student's written statement, the instructor's written statement, and confer with each. The department head, who does not have the authority to change the grade, shall inform the instructor and the student in writing of his/her recommendation. If a grade change is recommended, the instructor may refuse to accept the recommendation. The instructor shall notify the department head and the student in writing of his/her decision.

Step 7: If the department head does not act on or resolve this matter within the two-week period, the student shall, within one week thereafter, readdress and submit the written appeal to the dean.

Step 8: The dean shall convene a committee to review the case. The committee consists of five members. Faculty representatives include one from the department of the instructor concerned, and two from other closely-related departments or colleges. The student council of the college provides two student representatives. Student representatives shall be full-time upper-division undergraduates students for appeals by undergraduate students or full-time graduate students for appeals by graduate students. If the college does not have an appropriate student council, ASUA shall appoint the student members. All student members must be in good academic standing in that college. Within the structure provided by the dean, the committee shall design its own rules of operation and select a chair other than the faculty representative from the department concerned. The student and instructor shall represent themselves. The committee may, or may not (a) meet separately with the student, the instructor, and the department head, (b) request each party to submit a brief written summary statement of the issues, and/or (c) interview other persons who have relevant information. If feasible, the committee should meet with the student and the instructor together in an attempt to resolve the difference. The committee shall consider all aspects of the case before making its recommendation. The committee shall make a written report with recommendations and provide copies to the student, the instructor, the department head, and the dean.

Step 9: The dean shall make a final decision after full consideration of the committee's recommendation and within four weeks of receiving the student's appeal. The dean has the authority to change the grade and the registrar shall accept the dean's decision. The department head, the instructor, and the student shall be notified in writing of the dean's decision.