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Academic grievances and complaints

The College of Engineering Dean’s Office – Academic Affairs serves as the primary point of contact for students who have complaints or concerns. Students are encouraged to attempt to resolve the issue directly with the individual involved as a first step. Consultation with the Dean’s Office (engracademicdean@engr.wisc.edu, 2640 Engineering Hall, 608-262-3484) provides the opportunity to work with an assistant dean to address questions and/or concerns in any of the following areas:

Grievance Resolution Procedure

Only a few grievances are really serious and difficult to resolve. In these instances, the dean seeks a solution that, as best as can be determined, is appropriate, just, legal, and in the best interests of all concerned.

  1. Attempt to resolve the issue directly with the individual involved.
  2. If that approach is not feasible or provides unsatisfactory results, and the grievance involves a teaching assistant (TA), consult the professor in charge of the course.
  3. If necessary, discuss the grievance with the appropriate department chair.
  4. The next level involves the academic dean. Students should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, engracademicdean@engr.wisc.edu, 608-262-3484. 
  5. All students have the right to appeal to the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering, engr-dean@engr.wisc.edu, 608-262-3482, if they feel their case has not been justly handled by another dean.
  6. Only a few grievances are really serious and difficult to resolve. In these instances, the dean seeks a solution that, as best as can be determined, is appropriate, just, legal, and in the best interests of all concerned.

Authority Limits on Grades

There are areas in which the dean does not have authority to override an instructor, such as determination of a student’s grade. However, it has happened that the department chair has intervened, for example, by having a grade determined by committee rather than by the course instructor.

Examples of academic grievances and complaints include, but are not limited to, grade disputes, disputes/concerns with faculty/instructor, and course concerns. The following is a sample list of student grievances that have occurred:

  • Discrimination based on sex, religion, or political views
  • Course or exam grade disputes
  • Required class or examination attendance at other than regularly scheduled (timetable) times
  • Changes in course content contrary to Guide course description
  • Difficulty in obtaining space in a critical course
  • Difficulty obtaining an appointment with instructor
  • Unwillingness of instructor to provide graded feedback before the course drop deadline date
  • Teaching above the level of the class, which includes the assumption of an unlisted course prerequisite
  • Excessive instructor class absences
  • Rescheduled final exams by majority approval or apparent unanimity, to possible disadvantage of the minority

Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program

The university is committed to creating and maintaining a campus community that is free from sexual harassment and sexual violence. The Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program (formerly called the Title IX Program) is overseen by the Title IX Coordinator. They receive reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence – including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation – and coordinate the University’s response (https://compliance.wisc.edu/titleix/).  Students are encouraged to review available resources and additional information on this site.

Student-related reporting

Report incidents at UW-Madison including hate, bias, sexual assault, hazing, students you are concerned about and other types of incidents using the Dean of Students Office reporting tools.

Dean of Student’s Office report an incident