Contact Information:
gs-appeals@uwm.edu
Mitchell Hall 247
Office of the Dean of the Graduate School
3203 N Downer Ave.
Milwaukee, WI. 53211
Federal law and UWM policy require programs and departments to have procedures for graduate students to appeal academic decisions such as grades or scholastic standing. These procedures ensure the protection of students’ rights. This page serves as a reference on procedures for graduate student academic appeals.
Although individual programs and departments must comply with the fundamental aspects of the three-step procedure described below, the composition and formality of their committees may differ. In all cases, the final authority of graduate student appeals is the Dean of the Graduate School.
This procedure does not apply to the following:
- Academic misconduct. Those policies and procedures are on the Academic Affairs Website. Information related to graduate academic misconduct and relevant appeals can also be requested from gs-appeals@uwm.edu.
- Protected-class discrimination or sexual harassment. Such grievances follow the UWM Discriminatory Conduct Policy and are filed with the Office of Equity/Diversity Services.
- Undergraduate academic appeals. Questions regarding appeal procedures for undergraduate students should be addressed to the Office of Student Life or to the School/College Dean’s office.
Background Information
Current Graduate School appeal procedures are described on our Academic Appeals Procedure page. Specific unit procedures appear in department and program handbooks.
Students who decide to appeal an academic decision before an appeals committee may be accompanied by any person they choose, including an attorney. That person may counsel a student, but may not otherwise participate in the appeals committee’s proceedings. Students are expected to speak for themselves at their appeal hearing. During a hearing, students should address all questions for the committee to the chair. The chair, after consultation with the committee members, shall determine if it is appropriate to respond to the question.
Appeal procedures should not be taken lightly nor ignored. Questions concerning graduate student appeal procedures should be directed to gs-appeals@uwm.edu.