As noted in Student Rule 57, the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel (UAAP) exists as a final resort for undergraduates who have already appealed academic decisions though the proper channels (the instructor, department, and college where the course is taught) and who have not received a fair or adequate hearing. It is not to be used if you simply disagree with the decision made by the instructor, department, or college.
These videos will explain academic appeals and how to prepare for them.
To lodge an appeal, gather documentation to substantiate claims of an arbitrary, capricious, or prejudiced decision by the department or college. The Panel does not hear appeals involving academic integrity. Those are referred to the Aggie Honor System Office. If your appeal is based on academic discrimination of a protected class (for example based on race or disability), your appeal must be handled differently. Contact the Department of Civil Rights and Title IX.
You may appeal for the following reasons:
- a dispute over a final grade
- a dispute over an unauthorized absence determination
- a dispute over a dismissal for scholastic deficiency from a major or from a college or for academic suspension at the university level
How do I start an appeal?
The appeal guides below will help outline each appeal process and the steps to navigate each process.Who decides my appeal?
The Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel includes the chair, three faculty members, and two undergraduate students. These are selected for each case from a panel of up to 30 faculty, students, and chairs who have been trained for their specific roles. Chairs are appointed from Associate Deans through the Academic Operations Committee. Faculty are appointed by the Vice President for Faculty Affairs, in consultation with the Faculty Senate. Students are appointed by the Student Government Association or recruited through Associate Deans.
Where can I get more information about academic appeals?
Direct questions regarding appeals to the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Lori Moore at 979-845-3210 or at UndergradOmbuds@tamu.edu. You can also find information about the process from our Undergraduate Studies YouTube channel.
Appeal Overview
Texas A&M University has options for students to appeal academic decisions.
Appealing a Final Grade
Student Rule 57 has the guidelines for grade appeals.
At the end of the semester, you can appeal your final grade. This means that you are not appealing a specific assignment, project, or test. The burden is on you to provide documentation to support your appeal. The Ombuds can help you navigate the process, but must remain neutral. We can't advise on how to craft your appeal.
At the end of the semester, you can appeal your final grade. This means that you are not appealing a specific assignment, project, or test. The burden is on you to provide documentation to support your appeal. The Ombuds can help you navigate the process, but must remain neutral. We can't advise on how to craft your appeal.
Grade Appeal Types
There are two appeal options that lead to different outcomes.Option 1:
You can appeal based on arbitrary, capricious, or prejudicial grounds (see below).Option 2:
You can appeal based on extenuating circumstances.- Also called “academic accommodations.”
- Extenuating circumstances appeals are not eligible to be heard by the UAAP.
Arbitrary, Capricious, or Prejudicial Final Grade Appeals
Where to appeal:
If you are appealing based on arbitrary, capricious, or prejudicial grounds, then you appeal at the following levels, in this order:- Course – Instructor who taught the course
- Department – Department Head (or designee)
- College – Dean (or designee)
- University – Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel (UAAP)
There is no appeal step after university level.
Definitions:
Student Rule 57 uses the following definitions:Arbitrary: No reasonable factual basis for reaching the conclusion or taking the action.
Capricious: Unpredictable and subject to whim.
Prejudiced: An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual. This does not include hostility on the basis of any legally protected status that is addressed through Student Rules 45 – 47. If you are appealing based on prejudicial or discriminatory treatment, you should also contact the Civil Rights office.
How to appeal:
This is the preliminary resolution procedure outlined in Student Rule 57. This must be completed before appealing at the university level. Submitting a request to the UAAP does not allow you skip or circumvent the process.Step 1: Course-level appeal
After final grades are posted (Spring 2025 grades were posted on May 12, 2025), you must contact your instructor to formally appeal your final grade within ten university business days.- Use your TAMU email.
- Communicate why you believe your final grade to be arbitrary, capricious, or prejudicial.
- Provide documentation to support your appeal.
- If your instructor does not respond within two full business weeks, contact the Ombuds.
Step 2: Department-level appeal
After you receive a response from the instructor, you can progress to the Department-level step.Contact the department head (or designee) within ten university business days of receiving the instructor’s response.
- Use your TAMU email.
- Provide documentation to support your appeal.
- This includes the previous appeal and response.
- If the department does not respond within two full business weeks, contact the Ombuds.
Step 3: College-level appeal
After you receive a response from the department, you can progress to the college-level step.Contact the dean (or designee) within ten university business days of receiving the response from the department head (or designee).
- Use your TAMU email.
- Provide documentation to support your appeal.
- This includes the previous appeals and responses.
- If the college does not respond within two full business weeks, contact the Ombuds.
Step 4: University-level appeal
After you receive a response from the college, you can progress to the university-level step. Each of the previous steps must be completed.Complete the Academic Appeals Form on us.tamu.edu within ten university business days of receiving the response from the dean (or designee).
- Use your TAMU email.
- Provide documentation to support your appeal.
- This includes the previous appeals and responses.
The Ombuds will refer the case to a UAAP chair, who will determine if a hearing is appropriate. This is the final appeal level.
Extenuating Circumstances Final Grade Appeals
Appeals based on extenuating circumstances follow these steps:
Contact your dean (or designee).
Your dean (or designee) will review your appeal.
The dean’s decision is final. Extenuating circumstances appeals are not eligible for a UAAP hearing.
Contact your dean (or designee).
- Use your TAMU email.
- Provide documentation to support your appeal.
- Requests for academic accommodations requires extensive documentation to demonstrate that circumstances were beyond a student's control.
Your dean (or designee) will review your appeal.
The dean’s decision is final. Extenuating circumstances appeals are not eligible for a UAAP hearing.
Dismissal/Suspension Appeals
Dismissal and Suspension letters and emails are sent at the end of the semester.
If you are suspended or dismissed, you will receive correspondence from the university.There will be appeal procedures outlined in the letter or email, as well as contact information. Pay close attention to deadlines!
Dismissal Appeals
If you have been dismissed, you will be asked to leave a college or program, but not the university. Depending on the exact terms of your dismissal, you will need to find a new course of study at Texas A&M, and should refer to Transition Academic Programs.If you want to appeal because of extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance, for example, a prolonged or serious illness, you can appeal to your college.
If you believe that the decision to dismiss you was arbitrary, prejudiced, or capricious, you can appeal to the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel. If you believe that is the case, follow Student Rule 57. However, if you simply have not met the requirements for your major, degree, or program (e.g. scholastic deficiency), then it is unlikely that you were dismissed for any arbitrary, prejudiced, or capricious reason.
For more info, see our page on Dismissals.
Suspension Appeals
Undergraduate students who are suspended at the university level must leave the university for a period of 12 months and are permitted to re-apply for admission to return to Texas A&M after that 12-month period. Application for re-admission though the Office of Admissions is required, and acceptance is not guaranteed. During the suspension period, you will not be a Texas A&M student and will have limited access to Texas A&M resources.If you want to appeal because of extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance, for example, a prolonged or serious illness, you can appeal to your college.
If you believe that the decision to dismiss you was arbitrary, prejudiced, or capricious, you can appeal to the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel (UAAP). If you believe that is the case, follow Student Rule 57.
For more info, see our page on University-level Academic Suspension
What happens if you are suspended or your appeal is unsuccessful?
If your appeal is not upheld then you will leave the university for the suspension period. You can apply for readmission after that period has elapsed by utilizing the readmit process through the Office of Admissions. During the suspension period, you will not be a Texas A&M student and will have limited access to Texas A&M resources.You can also refer to the following student rules:
Student Rule 12 – Scholastic Deficiency/Probation
Student Rule 50 – Academic Suspension and Blocks
Student Rule 57 – Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel
Admissions Appeals
Information on how to appeal a transfer application admission decision can be found on the admissions website.
If you scroll down on the page, you will see a section titled What Happens After I Apply? In the first drop down box titled Notification of Decision, you will see the information related to appealing an admission decision. The first step will be to meet with an admissions representative.
If you scroll down on the page, you will see a section titled What Happens After I Apply? In the first drop down box titled Notification of Decision, you will see the information related to appealing an admission decision. The first step will be to meet with an admissions representative.
No Grade Requests
Please refer to our Resources page for more information.
If you are requesting a No Grade, you will need to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress since the semester(s) that you are attempting to have removed. You will also need substantial documentation to justify the No Grade request.
If you are requesting a No Grade, you will need to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress since the semester(s) that you are attempting to have removed. You will also need substantial documentation to justify the No Grade request.
Other Appeals
For other concerns, such as academic misconduct or fiscal appeals, please refer to the undergraduate catalog for the appropriate contact, under "Student Grievances and Appeals Procedures."
Graduate Student Resources
Our office focuses on the undergraduate population, but there are resources for Graduate and Professional Students.
You can contact the Graduate Ombuds via email at ombuds@tamu.edu, by phone at 979-845-3631, or in person by visiting 204 Nagle Hall. We recommend contacting the Graduate Ombuds via email for the fastest response.
You can contact the Graduate Ombuds via email at ombuds@tamu.edu, by phone at 979-845-3631, or in person by visiting 204 Nagle Hall. We recommend contacting the Graduate Ombuds via email for the fastest response.