53. Graduate Student Examination Evaluation Disputes
(Revised: 2016)
The decision as to which procedure to utilize for a grievance filed by a graduate student shall be made solely by the university and shall be based on the fact pattern of each particular case. Each grievance shall be directed to a specific procedure and shall be accorded only one opportunity to be adjudicated unless the appeal body remands for further review.
53.1 Rules
The graduate student shall be informed in a timely manner regarding the date, time, location, procedures and nature of any examination required by a department, interdisiplinary degree program, or the graduate student’s advisory committee. The decision regarding any such examination shall be based upon performance on the examination. Examinations include, but are not limited to, preliminary examinations, qualifying examinations, and final oral examinations.
The appropriately designated departmental, interdisciplinary degree program or graduate advisory committee (hereafter examining committee) is the primary authority with respect to a graduate student’s proficiency and level of performance on an examination.
53.2 Scope
A graduate student may appeal an adverse decision regarding the outcome of an examination if the graduate student believes the respondent’s decision was capricious, arbitrary or prejudicial. In the appeal process, which is described in detail in Student Rule 59, the burden of proof shall be upon the graduate student.
53.3 Definitions
“Adverse decision” means a decision by a faculty member or administrator that negatively impacts the student and for which the student wishes to pursue a grievance under this rule.
“Arbitrary” means no reasonable factual basis for reaching the conclusion or taking the action.
“Capricious” means unpredictable and subject to whim.
“Faculty” means an individual holding a position in which the primary title includes the word “professor,” “instructor,” “lecturer,” or “librarian” regardless of other rank of appointment qualifiers associated with the title. Appointments with the word “dean” or “provost” with or without a specified faculty rank higher than assistant professor are normally tenured faculty appointments.
“Prejudicial” means irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual. This does not include hostility on the basis of any legally protected status that is addressed through Student Rules 45 – 47.
“Respondent” means the faculty member, instructor, or administrator that made the decision.
“Graduate student” means an individual graduate or professional student (not including professional practice students JD, MD, DDS, DVM, DNP, Pharm D).
53.4 Grievance Procedures
Graduate students must follow the resolution procedures and deadlines for disputes over examination evaluations as described in Student Rule 59 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel.