The above procedures constitute general guidelines for these committees. The committees,
however, may establish additional procedures as deemed necessary and appropriate to insure
fairness and to facilitate the hearing process. All time limits are to be determined without counting
Saturdays, Sundays, and University holidays and vacation periods.
It should be noted that a student may challenge a recorded grade only on the grounds that it was
inaccurately recorded, not on the grounds that it was lower than what the instructor ought to have
awarded.
Students who believe that the adjudication of their challenges was unfair or was not in keeping
with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 may submit a written
request for assistance from the appropriate Vice President of the University. Further, students
who believe that their rights have been abridged may file complaints with the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC
20201.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Georgetown University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and does not
discriminate on the basis of, age, color, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender
identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, personal appearance,
political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or any
other factor prohibited by law in its educational programs and activities. Inquiries regarding
Georgetown University’s non-discrimination policy may be addressed to Institutional Diversity,
Equity & Affirmative Action, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Suite M36, Darnall Hall, Georgetown
University, Washington, D.C. 20057. The most up-to-date policies and procedures can be found
online at http://ideaa.georgetown.edu/policies/.
If a student believes that there has been discrimination in such academic matters as coursework,
grading, class participation, or the evaluation of any other degree requirements, the matter should
be presented to the Associate Dean of that program on an informal basis within 30 days of the
alleged incident. If, after the preliminary investigation by the program Associate Dean, or through
discussion with the student, the faculty member, and other relevant individuals, the complaint is
resolved satisfactorily, no record of the complaint will be placed in the file of the student or the
faculty member. If the complaint is not resolved, the student may submit a formal written
complaint to the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Compliance on behalf of the Dean
of SCS; a copy of this formal written complaint should also be sent for information purposes to the
University's Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative
Action.
Upon receipt of the formal written complaint, the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs &
Compliance will complete an investigation and may either render a decision based upon those
findings or establish a board of three impartial SCS members to review the complaint. This board
may consist of the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs & Compliance, other program Associate
Deans, or faculty members within the School depending upon the circumstances. The review
board will:
1. hear and consider the student's complaint;
2. accept and consider further evidence concerning the complaint;
3. forward its recommendation for resolution or further action in the case to the Associate
Dean of Academic Affairs.
Every effort will be made to insure the student fundamental fairness in the complaint process. It
should be emphasized, however, that the review board is not a court of law. While the board may
review materials and graded work presented as documentation, it does not have the authority to
re-grade work or make determinations about the academic merit of assignments. If the board