Grade Appeal

A grade appeal is your opportunity to appeal a final grade in a particular course. You can file multiple grade appeals at the same time if deemed necessary. You must demonstrate how you qualify for at least one of the stipulated grounds of appeal.

Read the Appeals Information Package for a comprehensive guide to filing your grade and/or standing appeal.

APPEAL GROUNDS

There are 4 grounds that you can base your grade appeal on:

You must explain how you qualify for at least one of these grounds of appeal.

APPEALS PROCESS

Before you consider submitting an appeal, you should attempt to informally resolve the issue with your instructor. If you are unable to resolve the situation with your instructor, or are unable to reach them, contact the Chair of the Department or Chang School Program Director of the course’s home department. Informal resolutions can sometimes provide better resolutions that can avoid a formal appeal altogether.  If this step does not work and you decide to go ahead with an appeal, it can positively influence your case later in the process because it demonstrates that you were proactive and took steps to resolve the issue informally. *Remember to follow up meetings, discussions and outcomes via email. Keep a paper trail and ensure that you are following up with your instructor.

If you are unable to resolve your issue informally, you may want to submit an official appeal. Be sure to seek assistance from the Student Rights Coordinator with your appeal submission if you have any questions or concerns.

A) Department/School Level: This is the first level of appeal. Your appeal goes to the department that the course is taught. The Chair or Director of the Program reviews the appeal and investigates the issue before they make a decision.

B) Faculty Level: This is the second level of appeal. If your appeal is unsuccessful at the Department Level, you can appeal at this level. Your appeal goes to the Faculty division responsible for the subject area. At this level, you are appealing on the same grounds you did on in the original appeal, in addition to appealing the way the decision was made at the School/Department level.

C) Senate Level: This is the third level of appeal. If your appeal is unsuccessful at the Faculty Level, you can appeal at this level. This level of appeal is not guaranteed. The Secretary of Senate will review the appeal to determine if it is complete, within the deadline, and if the student indicated the error in the previous Faculty decision. The appeal will also be vetted to ensure there are valid grounds at this level and if your appeal does not meet the required threshold, your appeal may be dismissed.

DEADLINES

The first few weeks into a new semester at Ryerson is when the appeal deadline falls for grade and standing appeals assigned during the previous semester. For example, if you intend to appeal a grade from the Fall term, your deadline will be around the second or third week of the Winter term (in January); or if you are appealing a grade/standing from the Winter term, your deadline will be in mid-to late May. Always check the Ryerson Calendar for the exact deadline to be sure you do not miss it. CESAR and the RSU usually coordinate workshops to help students prepare grade/standing appeals leading up to the appeal deadline each semester.

The grade and standing appeal process follows Policy 168: the Grade and Standing Appeal Policy. It is important that you read the policy and understand how it applies to you.

FORMS

All forms for this type of appeal are found on the Senate’s website.

GET HELP WITH YOUR APPEAL

This service is free to all CESAR members (any student taking a CE course and/or enrolled in a part-time undergraduate degree program).

For more information contact:

Student Rights Coordinator
studentrights@tmaps.ca
416-979-5000 x557056