Any student who desires to express concern regarding instructional matters such as perceived unfairness, grading methodology, cheating, or some other misunderstanding within or without the classroom is encouraged to confer first with the instructor of the class and, if deemed necessary, with the instructor’s department chair. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily at the first two levels, the student should confer with the dean of the school. The dean of the school may refer the matter to the Associate Provost for Graduate Education/Online Learning should the matter not be resolved.
The Associate Provost for Graduate Education/Online Learning will review the matter to (a) make a final determination of the matter, or (b) refer the matter to the Academic Appeals Committee for further review and recommendation. In either case, the final decision is the responsibility of the Associate Provost for Graduate Education/Online Learning.
The Academic Appeals Committee receives referrals directly from the Provost. Cases are referred to this committee if the Provost determines that more information is needed to make an equitable decision. The process is as follows: (a) the Provost notifies the chair of the Academic Appeals Committee of the student’s concern, (b) the aggrieved student submits a written report of the complaint to the chair of the Academic Appeals Committee, and (c) a recommendation is made to the Provost.
Students or faculty members have the option to appear in person before the Academic Appeals Committee, bringing documentation to support their views; however, it is not required that they appear in person. It should be understood that the purpose of the appeals process is to peaceably resolve issues which have not been resolved through other means. Therefore, the approach to problem resolution in the appeals process is through consensus, so far as is possible.
The membership of the Academic Appeals Committee consists of five individuals: the USM academic vice president (chair), one elected student representative, two full-time teaching faculty, and one full-time staff member. The Provost or designee may choose to sit with the Academic Appeals Committee for purposes of hearing the discussion or for clarification of issues, but not for voting purposes.