Graduate Student Code of Conduct and Grievance / Appeals Processes

Berkeley Grade Grievance Procedure

The Committee on Course of Instruction (COCI) determines the final resolution of grade grievances, following recommendations made by the academic department.

COCI considers grades to be a matter of academic judgment and subject to grievance only on the basis of the following grounds:

Application of non-academic criteria, such as: considerations of race, politics, religion, sex, or other criteria not directly reflective of performance related to course requirements;
Sexual harassment;
Improper academic procedures that unfairly affect a student's grade.

Students must first attempt to settle the matter informally through discussions with the instructor. Students may include the department chair, Ombudsperson or another mutually accepted third party who can attempt to mediate the dispute informally.

If you are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution with the instructor informally, you may pursue a formal grievance process. This process is initiated when the student presents his/her case in writing to the grievance committee chair, who is the Associate Dean for Instruction. An ad hoc grievance committee composed of faculty members and students will be convened to review the case.

Time Limit – You must initiate the formal grievance process within one calendar year of the last day of the semester in which the course in question was taken.

See http://academic-senate.berkeley.edu/committees/coci/COCI_Grade_Grievance_Proc.html for a complete description of the procedures for grade appeals based on the alleged use of non-academic criteria.