Special note for grade-related appeals: Appeals are not used to overturn an instructor’s professional judgment. Issues dealing with the substantive quality of the student’s academic performance and involving intrinsic, professional, academic judgments by a faculty member lie outside the Committee’s jurisdiction. Hence, grade appeals that pertain to faculty judgement of the student’s work quality (rather than a procedural error) are not heard by the Committee. Such appeals must first be discussed with the faculty member, then the program coordinator (if applicable), and finally with the departmental chairperson. Questions about grade appeal procedures may be directed to the departmental chairperson, or if that is not feasible, to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education or Graduate Studies, as appropriate.

The purpose of the School of Education’s Student Grievance Hearing Committee (SGHC) is to provide a hearing board for any student who

1. Believes that theirs rights, as defined in Part I of Indiana University’s Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (the Code), have been violated by a member of the faculty or administration (a grievance), or
2. Alleges that an incorrect grade or other action on the part of a member of the faculty or administration (e.g., admission to the Teacher Education Program, approval to student teach) is the result of a procedural error (a procedural appeal), or
3. Wishes to appeal the action of an instructor taken in response to alleged academic misconduct taking place in a course (an academic misconduct appeal).