Hi, I’m turning to this forum because I’m at a bit of a loss. Basically, a professor gave me an F for a course in which I did not turn in all my assignments as a result of extenuating circumstances. My advisor emailed all my professors during that term and informed them of my extenuating circumstances. My other 2 professors gave me incompletes. I contacted the dean and he said that there really is no appeals process, I have to ask the professor to change the grade. So, if she doesn’t agree to changing the grade to a W or an incomplete I do not have any further recourse. Does anybody have any insight on this? Should I get my parents involved? I feel as though the administration at this school has been largely unhelpful, and is in part, being unresponsive to me because I’m a student. This is a top 4 school, and I don’t understand why there is not an appeals process beyond the professor.
What were the extenuating circumstances?
When did the adviser email your professors during the term in question?
Did you seek accommodations from the college disabilities if applicable early in the term?
What is your college’s official WRITTEN policies for appealing grades?
I don’t want to get into too much detail, but my advisor told me he emailed my professors. I don’t know exactly what he emailed them, but he told them about the extenuating circumstances. The problem is the school does not have any written policy, at least not publicized. So, basically I can only go with what the dean has told me. I’ve looked all over, in both the faculty and student handbooks, but there is nothing about a grade appeals process.
There is definitely information about a grade appeals process in both handbooks, but you might not be searching the right terms. Try “academic grievance.”
I think you’re misinterpreting the dean’s statement. What s/he is saying is that the normal procedure has you first contacting the professor, then the department chair, then the dean, then probably the provost or VP of academic affairs, etc. I think the dean was simply saying that s/he couldn’t just override the grade.
You need to talk to your advisor, the dean of students, disability/medical services, and anyone else who was involved during the time. Yes, you should keep your parents involved, but you need to be the point person in communicating with university staff. Do not ask your parents to call and complain; it will only backfire and make your case more difficult. If it’s convenient, they could join you for an on campus meeting (that you initiate and lead).
Worst case scenario: you flunk a class. That’s not the end of the world, as disappointing as it might be. And if your “extenuating circumstances” are documented and legitimate, it won’t have an effect on things like employment or grad school admissions.
TL;DR don’t burn any bridges
I have judiciously gone through the handbooks, as well as the school’s grading policies website. There is nothing there.
I am also not misinterpreting the dean’s statement. This was written in an email. He specifically stated if the professor decides not to change the grade, there is nobody further I can appeal to.
Maybe if you more fully explained your extenuating circumstances TO the professor, he/she may understand. Giving an Incomplete may be too much hassle, unless the professor really knew the issues.
Is there an ombudsman available at the college?
Quite frankly, I think it was a mistake to go over the professor’s head and straight to the dean without even giving the prof the courtesy of a conversation about it. That’s not likely to make the professor feel very generous. It’s my personal opinion that you should always follow the chain of command for grievances.
Talk to the professor. For all you know, he/she never received or read the email from your advisor. BTW, I’d also advise that in the future if this kind of thing comes up again, ALWAYS follow up* yourself* with your professors-don’t leave it to your advisor or another third party. Dealing directly with your teachers/supervisors/bosses is something all adults need to know how to do. I’m surprised that you never went to the professor’s office hours to discuss how to finish out the semester in spite of your issue, to inquire in advance as to the possibility of getting an incomplete. You just left the entire thing up to your advisor to handle?
Have you ever even talked to your professor about your situation? What did your professor say? Or did all communication go through your advisor?
It seems strange to me that you had your advisor email all of your professors about your extenuating circumstances, instead of communicating with them all yourselves. Is this typical at your school? Were you at least copied on the email? Having proof that the email was sent may help.
If you haven’t already done so, go talk to your professor. Be reasonable, explain your situation, and ask if the professor would be willing to change your grade to an incomplete. Discuss how you would be able to turn that incomplete into a complete or what your plan is going forward. Explain the situation that happened with your advisor, and that you were trying to be proactive as soon as your situation changed. Be respectful and thankful because changing your grade to an incomplete is more work on the part of the professor. Does your school have information on what is the proper procedure when a student has extenuating circumstances?
If your professor says no, then deal with what to do next. It may involve taking it further up the ladder. It may involve just taking the F. There may be other options. But the first step is to talk to your professor.
And in the future, you should talk to your professors when things like this happen. Communication shouldn’t be going (at least solely) through your advisor, unless that is the required way these things are handled at your school (which would be strange). At the very least, you should be copied on your advisor’s emails to your professor so you know what was said and have proof that it was sent and when it was sent.
I’m also wondering what communication you had with the professor about your grade. You say:
.
So is it true that you haven’t mentioned your desire for a grade change to the professor yet? That would be odd. Might be that the email about the circumstances was overlooked.