13.0: Grievance procedures

Grievances

A student who encounters a problem related to his/her educational program has a variety of avenues available to seek resolution. The college-specific grievance process is described below.

The most common grievance is a grade dispute. Grades are a matter of academic judgment and subject to challenge only on the basis of non-academic criteria, such as considerations of race, politics, religion, sex or other criteria not directly reflective of performance related to course requirements or improper academic procedures that unfairly affect a student’s grade.

It is the policy of the university that grievances concerning grades may only be considered if the basis for the grievance is procedural (i.e., that a procedural error was made in the evaluation or recording of the grade). Grades are never modified using any criteria not applied to all students in the class. The alteration of grades is governed by the Board of Trustees (Rule 3335-8-23).

Grievances can also include unjustified denial of student access to data or inappropriate use of student data, professional misconduct toward students, unfair, discriminatory, or intimidating treatment of students or, concerns about graduate examination processes or GA appointments. among others. Graduate students with grade or other grievances should follow the steps described below, starting with informal grievance procedures before moving to formal grievance procedures.

Grievance procedures

The College of Public Health has a process in place for reviewing student complaints after efforts between the parties involved to address the concerns have proved unsuccessful. These procedures provide students with avenues for informally resolving complaints and for seeking formal redress if efforts of mediation fail.

Before formal procedures are involved, it is strongly recommended that every effort be made by all parties to resolve differences informally. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the senior director of the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services to discuss their concerns and options for resolution.

To request an ASGC grievance review, the student must submit a written request to the ASGC chair. Upon receipt of the complaint, the ASGC chair will appoint two ASGC faculty representatives and two ASGC student representatives to collectively consider the case.

This group will meet with the involved parties and review any documentary evidence provided. Both the complainant (student) and the respondents (instructor, advisor, division chair) will be given copies of any documentary evidence provided by the other party. The committee may also obtain relevant information from other persons. At the conclusion of the information gathering process, this group will have a collaborative, decision-making meeting to reach a consensus decision about the merits of the case and a proposed resolution, if applicable. This decision will be submitted to the ASGC chair. The chair will report the decision in writing to the parties involved. A written record of the circumstances and resolution of the grievance will be kept for four years in the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services.

If the student wishes to appeal the ASGC decision, they can initiate a request for review by the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. The last appeal step within the College of Public Health is the Dean. The student with a grievance must personally initiate each appeal step.

University level grievance procedures

If the student has exhausted the formal college grievance process, it may be possible to submit the case to a university-level entity. The Office of Academic Affairs has detailed information about the complaint and grievance systems at Ohio State.

The OSU Graduate School Handbook outlines a formal grievance process related to graduate examinations and GA appointments (Handbook Appendix D). Additionally, see their website for guidance about university level resources for other types of complaints, e.g. complaints involving discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct should be directed to the OSU Civil Rights Compliance Office.

The Office of Ombuds Services – Graduate and Professional Student Ombudsperson

The graduate and professional student (GPS) ombudsperson is an independent, confidential, impartial, and informal resource for all graduate and professional students for resolving issues and conflicts, and for exploring options and making important decisions.

The primary mission of the GPS ombudsperson is to support graduate and professional students in addressing issues and challenges they may face in their academic and professional careers at Ohio State. The GPS ombudsperson addresses issues and challenges that students may face with faculty and advisors, within their programs or within the university at large, with the goal of supporting a positive learning and work environment and advancing fairness and equity for graduate and professional students. The GPS ombuds also serves postdoctoral scholars. Visit the ombuds office website