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The University of Michigan-Dearborn and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) are committed to providing an educational environment that is fair and supportive of all student’s academic goals. To demonstrate that commitment, CECS has developed procedures for students to follow in filing grievances and resolving academic concerns. Students have the right to a balanced and fair system of dispute resolution. 

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in courses offered by CECS are expected to act professionally towards their peers, as well as the faculty and staff members of the College. The students are also expected to uphold the highest level of academic and personal integrity. The students should expect members of the college faculty and staff to act professionally and demonstrate the high integrity that characterizes the professional academic community. In the event a student files a grievance regarding a CECS faculty or staff member, or academic practices and policies, the College is committed to addressing the students concern swiftly in accordance with the procedures outlined in this document. 

Definitions: 

Academic Grievance: a complaint brought by a student regarding a CECS an academic interaction that is covered by this policy 

Grievant: An undergraduate student who file a formal academic grievance that falls within the scope of this policy. 

Respondent: faculty of staff member(s) against whom the grievance is filed.  

Scope of the Policy 

This policy provides means for an objective review of student grievances. Such grievances may arise out of interactions in the classroom, the laboratory, or while completing course and research projects. They may also arise as a result of program, department and college policies that affect the student’s academic standing and/or progress towards degree. This policy only applies to concerns not addressed by other university policies. 

Grade or Classroom and Laboratory Policy: 

Grades received in a course are not grievable unless evidence can be provided that the grade: 

• Was arbitrarily assigned;
• Was assigned in a discriminatory manner that is different from the standard applied to other students by the same instructor in that course; or
• Was contradictory to the course grading policies stated by the instructor in the course syllabus. 

Classroom and laboratory policies are generally not grievable unless they violate other university policies, or result in intimidation, harassment or unprofessional treatment of students. 

Students with a non-grievable concern regarding a course grade or individual classroom policy, should follow these steps in the order presented:   

1. Students must first attempt to resolve the issue by speaking directly with the course instructor.
2. If the issue is not resolved between the student and course instructor, the student should meet and discuss the concern with the Chair of the academic department in which the course in question is offered.
3. If a resolution is not reached with the Department Chair, students can elevate concerns to either the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education or the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and research, as appropriate. 

Academic Requirements: 

Academic requirements include prerequisites/co-requisites concerns, evaluation of a transfer course for credit, extension of academic deadlines (e.g. incomplete grades or grade changes), or add/drop a course after the published deadline. 

A student may file a formal grievance to the CECS Student Grievance Committee regarding academic requirements if the student can provide evidence that the decision of the informal resolution process was: 

• inconsistent with published College and/or University policies and practices, or
• assigned in a discriminatory manner that is different from the standard applied to other students 

The formal appeal must be filed within 10 academic calendar days starting on the day when the outcome of the informal decision was sent to the student. 

Students with a non-grievable concern regarding academic requirements or policies shall follow the following steps in the order presented:   

1. Undergraduate students should discuss the concern with an Academic Advisor in the Office of Advising and Academic Success. Graduate students should discuss the concern with the department’s Academic Record Assistant.
2. If the student is not satisfied with the response received, s/he can submit a petition to the Office of Advising and Academic Success (undergraduate) or the department office (graduate) with detailed justification for the request along with all supporting documents.
3. The petition shall be forwarded for review by the appropriate department, faculty member, or CECS committee. The decision on the petition shall be sent to the student in writing through the student’s umich.edu email account. It is the student’s responsibility to submit a clearly stated petition. 

Grievance Resolution Procedure: 

Most academic grievances can be resolved informally means for resolving the academic dispute, but a few may require following a formal process. Following are the informal grievance resolution procedures: 

1. The procedure must be initiated within 10 academic calendar days from the last days of the semester/session during which the dispute had occurred.
2. If appropriate, contact the respondent directly and try to resolve the grievance informally.
3. If direct communication with the respondent does not lead to a resolution, the student can contact the respondent’s direct supervisor or academic department Chair. The student may consult with the University Ombudsperson or the chair of the CECS Student Grievance Committee in the 

process. If the respondent has left the university, the academic supervisor or academic department chair may assume the role of the respondent. 

If the informal resolution of the grievance fails, the student may initiate a formal grievance. The formal grievance must be filed within 10 academic calendar days after of either the last attempt to resolve the dispute informally or but the last day of the academic semester immediately following of the semester in which the dispute had occurred (the last day of the academic semester/session in April, August or December), whichever comes first. Following are the formal grievance procedures: 

1. The student files the grievance in writing to the Chair of the CECS Student Grievance Committee. The letter of the grievance must include:
   1. Name of the respondent.
   2. Actions of the respondent that are form basis for the grievance
   3. Evidence of violations that warrant filing the grievance
   4. Harm to the student caused by the respondent’s action(s)
   5. Actions taken by the student to informally resolve the dispute with the respondent.
   6. Resolution that the student would find acceptable. 

Once the grievance has been filed, the scope of the resolution is limited to the content submitted in the original letter unless new credible and relevant evidence becomes available. 

2. Within 10 academic calendar days from receiving the grievance, the Chair of the CECS Student Grievance Committee forwards a copy of the grievance letter to the respondent.
3. Within 10 academic calendar days, the respondent submits a letter of response to the allegations in the student grievance letter. If the respondent chooses not to submit a response letter, s/he waives the write to testify or invite witnesses at the CECS Grievance Committee hearing.
4. A meeting of the CECS Student Grievance Committee will be held within a5 academic calendar days of receiving the respondent’s discuss to the grievance and make recommendation to the Dean.
5. Within 10 academic calendar days after the CECS Student Grievance Committee meeting, the Committee reports its findings and recommendations in writing to the CECS Dean who makes the final decision on the case.
6. Academic Calendar includes fall, winter, and spring/summer days. 

Committee membership: 

The student grievance committee shall be chaired by one of the Associate Deans who serves as Ex-Officio member of the committee and only votes to break a tie. Membership of the committee shall consist of four voting faculty members, one from each academic department, appointed by The Executive Committee, and a student member recommended by the Student Government President. 

Appeal process: 

There is no further appeal of the Dean’s decision.              

Additional Information: 

Academic Misconduct: 

All students are expected to follow the campus-wide Academic Code of Conduct, which is based on the premise that students in the college will perform honestly and ethically in all graded tests, projects and assignments.   

If a student is found to be in violation of the code, the student has the right to appeal a faculty member’s violation charge to the Academic Integrity Board. The steps for appeal are outlined in the .  

Non-Academic Code of Conduct: 

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to an environment of academic integrity and of respect for the educational process and the safety and well-being of all members of the campus community. Students are expected to comply with published University policies. 

Should a student be found in violation of the campus-wide Non-Academic Code of conduct, the formal Resolution Process is outlined.

University Ombudsperson: 

It is recommended that students consult the university Ombuds Services Office prior to submitting their grievance. The Ombuds Services Office provides members of the campus community with individual, informal assistance in resolving concerns and addressing issues regarding student rights and responsibilities. The Ombuds Services Office works independently as an impartial resource for obtaining: 

• Information about university policies
• Guidance in following university policies
• Assistance in resolving concerns and critical situations
• Help in cutting red tape and in obtaining appropriate and timely answers and information
• Opportunities to discuss or question university actions
• Active support for 51ÊÓƵ-Dearborn’s commitment to ensure that students are treated with fundamental fairness and personal dignity 

For questions regarding appropriate grievance procedures, or college policies, please contact the Office of Advising and Academic Success, 2000HPEC

Updated March 2017