Grade Reassessment
The course instructor bears the primary responsibility for assigning grades. In all but exceptional cases, students who believe that the final grade in a course or the grade on a course assignment does not reflect their academic performance should first meet with the course instructor to review the evaluation procedures and the decision on the assignment(s), examination(s), or other course requirement(s) in question.
In the unusual event that the instructor is unavailable or unwilling to meet with the student, or if the student believes that his or her concerns have not been addressed after a meeting with the instructor, the student should submit a formal, written request for a grade reassessment to the chairperson of the department or the program co-ordinator. If the instructor is an administrative officer (e.g., chairperson, associate dean), the written request should be submitted to his or her immediate supervisor. The written request for grade reassessment must be submitted within six weeks of receiving the final grade from the Office of the Registrar, but a request for a grade reassessment of a course assignment can be made before a final grade is received.
The written request for grade reassessment should detail the student's concern and include supporting documentation (e.g., a copy of the graded assignment, as well as an unmarked copy of the assignment). Each department, Faculty, or School may have individualized processes for formal grade reassessment, but typically this will involve having at least one other instructor who has taught the course in question or who is familiar with the content of the course reassess an unmarked copy of the assignment(s), examination(s), or other course requirement(s) in question. The administrative officer who receives the formal request for grade reassessment will inform the student of his or her decision in writing within four weeks of receiving the request. The grade reassessment may cause the grade to be raised, lowered, or remain the same.
Grade reassessment is generally settled at this point; however, the student may appeal the decision on a final grade to the Graduate Student Appeals Committee (SAC). Grades on course assignments can be appealed only after final grades are received. For appeals of decisions on grade reassessments, the student shall address a letter of petition to the Chair of the Graduate SAC. In the letter, the student must clearly and fully state the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal, the remedy being sought, and any special circumstances that warrant an appeal of the reassessment.
With some limitations (i.e., there must be new evidence or evidence of a substantial procedural irregularity), a decision of the Graduate SAC regarding grade reassessment may be appealed by the student to the Senate Student Appeals Committee (SAC), in accordance with the Procedures for Considering Appeals by the Senate SAC. These procedures are posted on the Laurier website (Procedures for Considering Student Appeals) and are also available at the Office of the Registrar and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.