It should be recognized that the Grading Appeals Committee cannot undertake to resolve disputes about a particular student's knowledge of a particular subject matter. Indeed, the disqualification of a faculty member from a particular hearing involving a student in his or her department makes it impossible for the Committee to take a stand on a purely academic issue. Its responsibility, rather, is to ensure due process in grading procedure. The Committee recognizes that there is no clear and final means by which it may decide what cases to accept. Obviously it cannot adjudicate minor complaints.
Some cases carry serious consequences for the student.
The Committee acknowledges that even the difference between a B and a C might sometimes carry considerable weight in determining such matters as whether or not a student will be able to retain a scholarship. But the Committee, regardless of the grade involved, cannot take a role in any case purely on the ground that failure to change a grade will prevent graduation or cause the loss of financial assistance. Rather, in accepting an appeal, the Committee must be satisfied that there is reason to suspect that the awarding of the grade may have involved a denial of due process, through arbitrary, capricious or prejudiced action on the part of the instructor or elsewhere in the department. Aside from any bases for accepting an appeal so far described, the Committee will not consider appeals involving violation of law, violation of University rules or regulations, disruptive or insubordinate behavior or cheating on examinations, or general complaints about the way the course was run. C. Method of operation .