[Note: This is student-oriented guidance based on Policy 3.8, and not policy itself]
If you feel that your program or university academic policies have been unfairly applied to you, you may file an academic grievance. Please note the following:
Situations that are not academic grievances
Before filing an academic grievance, consider that certain scenarios require alternative procedures. Follow the linked policies or processes for the following circumstances, which are not served by the academic grievance process. You can consult with your program or the Graduate School (using the Graduate School inquiry form) for assistance in determining the category of your concern.
- For contesting individual grades or other academic evaluations.
- If you think you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran
- If you are accused, or are the victim, of student misconduct.
Filing a grievance
The school or college that your program is situated in should have its own procedure for considering academic grievances. Review your program’s website or guidebook or contact your program’s advisor, director or department chair to locate that procedure. You will find that informal conciliation is the primary approach to reaching a resolution and should be sought prior to requesting a formal hearing.
During this process, you may seek assistance or consultation from the University Ombud at ombuds@uw.edu and/or the Graduate School using the Graduate School inquiry form.
Filing an appeal
If, after following the conciliation and hearing procedures of your school or college, you think those procedures have not been properly followed, you may file an appeal using the using the Graduate School Inquiry form within 15 business days of the close of the school or college hearing. You will be required to fill out an additional form that requires the following:
- The date(s) the action(s) occurred
- A description of the results of the unit-level grievance procedure
- Any background information that the student deems pertinent to the complaint
- The deviation of the grievance procedure from the unit’s documented procedure, EO 58, or from other applications of grievance procedure within the unit
- The resolution sought by the student.
Within 15 business days during an academic quarter, the Graduate School will review the appeal and notify the student and school or college of their determination and any recommended remediation. This may take longer during the summer and between quarters.