Grade Appeal Petition

If a student has a question about a final grade, they should communicate with their instructor to discuss the concern.  A grade appeal petition can be submitted if a student believes that violations of policy or process, such as an instructor deviating from the grading rubric on the syllabus or agreements made between the professor and student in writing (for example, in email) have resulted in an improper grade.  Please note that the committee will not re-grade student work; rather, they will review the case to determine if any violation of process or policy has occurred. 

Grade appeal petitions should not be submitted in response to: 

  • Discrimination: In cases of alleged discrimination, please speak to the Associate Dean of Student Success in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for further information.   

  • Alleged academic misconduct.  Grade issues related to charges of academic misconduct are adjudicated by Student Conduct & Community Standards in the Dean of Students Office. For information, email studentconduct@ucdenver.edu or visit the Deans of Students Office in the Tivoli Student Union 309. 

Steps to Submit a Retroactive Withdrawal Petition

  • Meet with your instructor to discuss your concerns. If the issue is not resolved, students should save/document communications from the instructor.
  • Meet with the department chair. If the issue is not resolved at the department chair level, the student may move forward with the formal grade appeal petition.

  • Grade Appeal Petition form

  • Personal statement –please explain the following: 

    • Why are you appealing the grade now? 

    • What actions have you taken to appeal the grade with the instructor and the department chair? 

    • What grade do you think you earned for this class?  Why do you believe that you earned this grade?  Include supporting documentation for your statements. 

  • Copy of the class syllabus that contains: 

    • Grading policy for the class 

    • Class policy regarding ethical issues, absences, illnesses, making up work, extra credit, participation, etc. 

    • Relevant copies of graded exams, papers, projects, etc. Provide only the information that the committee will need to understand your situation.  Remember that the committee won’t re-grade any student work, and providing excessive documentation will likely make it more difficult for the committee to see your point rather than supporting your claim. 

  • Statement from the instructor: 

    • Student’s full name, Student ID number, Course’s department code and course number, course title, final grade student earned in the class, and semester the student took the class. 

    • What factors contributed to the calculation of this grade and what did the student earn in each case (i.e. attendance, class participation, papers, assignments, exams, presentations, etc.) 

    • The instructor’s recommendation to the Academic Standard’s Committee 

  • Statement from the chair of the department where the course is offered 

    • Why did they support the original grade submitted by the instructor? Please note: If the chair is the faculty of record for the course, another faculty member in the department should review this case for purposes of this petition.  Department chairs should email their statements directly to clas.academic.standards@ucdenver.edu. 

  • An unofficial transcript - You can obtain an unofficial transcript through your UCDAccess portal. 

Students can email their petition materials to the Academic Standards Committee at clas.academic.standards@ucdenver.edu or they may drop off paper copies at the CLAS Academic Advising office in 1030 North Classroom. Please save electronic documents in PDF format. Petitions will be scheduled for review once all items have been received.