Temple University, Japan Campus Academic Grievance Procedure
The procedures outlined in this document are only for the resolution of academic grievances of
undergraduate students related to courses taught at Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ).
Non-academic grievances (e.g., related to housing, affirmative action, student financial services,
disability services, and so forth) should be referred to the Office of Student Services at
tujoss@temple.edu.
An academic grievance is a grievance related to the evaluation of academic work in a course. This
may include, but is not limited to, a grade, attendance, and compliance with course guidelines. In a
review of academic cases, policies stated on a course syllabus will be understood to have been viewed
and accepted by the student concerned. All undergraduate students enrolled in courses offered at TUJ
may grieve any academic matter in which they believe they have been treated unfairly. At any time a
student may withdraw his or her grievance, thereby halting the grievance process. Once the grievance
has been halted it cannot be reinstituted on the same basis.
All efforts will be made to settle grievances within the semester of filing the grievance with the
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA). Students wishing to file a grievance regarding a
fall semester course must do so by February 15 of the calendar year following the end of the
given fall semester. Students wishing to file a grievance regarding a spring semester course or a
summer session course must do so by October 1 of the same calendar year in which the courses
were taken.1 Students cannot appeal grades after they have graduated.
The TUJ Grievance Procedure will be provided to students by the ADAA, the Academic Advising
Center or the Registrar’s Office when a student indicates a grievance may be made. All documents and
hearings related to a student grievance will be treated as confidential.
1
If circumstances warrant, students may appeal for an extension of time to file a grievance. Appeals should be in writing
and sent to the ADAA for consideration.
Attempting informal resolution
A student who believes he or she has a grievance should contact the instructor of the course, and ask
for specific clarification on the issue concerned. If that instructor is no longer in the employ of Temple
University or is, for other reasons, unavailable the student will meet with the ADAA. Should the
parties reach an agreement about the dispute, they will write and sign a document showing the steps
each party will take to resolve it. Copies of the signed agreement will then be distributed to the student,
the instructor, and the ADAA. If no resolution can be found, the student may file a formal grievance in
accordance with Stage 1 of the Grievance Procedure, as described below.
Stage I
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The student presents a written statement outlining the grounds for the grievance to the ADAA.
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The student statement will be provided to the faculty member concerned.
•
The ADAA, or a designee, will arrange to meet with the student and the instructor within
seven (7) calendar days of the receipt of the written grievance.
•
The ADAA, or a designee, will prepare a written record of the meeting and will provide all
parties including the TUJ Academic Grievance Committee with copies, if required.
•
Should the parties reach an agreement or if the student decides not to pursue the grievance
further, a statement should be drafted detailing the resolution and signed by the student and the
instructor.
Copies of the signed agreement will then be distributed to the student, the
instructor, and the ADAA.
•
This document and related correspondence is regarded as confidential and will only reside in
the ADAA files unless the grievance proceeds to Stage II.
Stage II
Only after all methods for settlement at Stage 1 have been exhausted can the student appeal the
department decision to the TUJ Grievance Committee.
The TUJ Grievance Committee
The TUJ Grievance Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, elected by the TUJ Assembly, and at
least 3 full-time faculty members or instructors or staff appointed to staggered three-year terms by the
TUJ Assembly. In the event that a member of the Grievance Committee is either a grievant or a
grieved against, that member shall withdraw from the Grievance Committee for the consideration of
that grievance, and a substitute shall be appointed by the ADAA. It shall be the duty of the Grievance
Committee to receive information from parties involved in a grievance and conduct any hearings it
deems necessary.
To initiate this process:
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The TUJ Grievance Committee Chair will be sent a copy of the student’s written grievance.
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The TUJ Grievance Committee Chair will forward copies of the student’s grievance and all
previous proceedings to the Grievance Committee for review and arrange a meeting of the
Committee.
•
The Grievance Committee shall prepare a written report with recommendations for the
resolution of the grievance. This report may include majority and minority opinions, should
any members of the Grievance Committee so desire.
•
The Grievance Committee report shall be sent to the ADAA, the Legal Counsel, and the Dean.
•
After reviewing the opinions of the TUJ Grievance Committee, the Dean or his designee shall
render a decision which will be communicated to the ADAA, the student and faculty member.
For Undergraduate grievances the decision of the Dean of TUJ may be appealed to the Senior Vice
Provost for Undergraduate Studies, within seven (7) calendar days after the decision of the Dean, but
only on the grounds that procedural defects substantially prevented the student from obtaining a full
and fair hearing on the merits of the case. Appeals to the Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate
Studies shall be in writing and delivered via the office of the ADAA.