The UMD Political Science Department has agreed that the following expectations are reasonable. Students have a right to an explanation of their grade.
Students have a right that their work be marked in a reasonable amount of time.
However, it is recognized that faculty too are subject to illness, emergencies, etc. If a student objects to his or her grade, the student should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If this discussion is unsatisfactory, the student has the right to approach the Head of Department, and call for a committee to be formed to examine the complaint. However, the Department is not authorized to change grades without the instructor's consent. Students have a right to a syllabus, distributed by no latter than the second meeting day for a course, which specifies all requirements for a course.