Steven Neufang's spring quarter has been a stressful one. On top of the usual stresses of an Ohio State student, he has spent the last six weeks attempting to correct a quiz grade that has a significant impact on his final grade.
"For some reason the quiz grade wasn't recorded," said Neufang, a junior in psychology. "The quiz I actually did quite well on ended up being a zero. I was able to calculate my final grade and saw that it would be a whole letter grade below what it should have been."
Neufang said he e-mailed his professor immediately and they began the process of changing his grade, adding that neither one of them realized the extent of the process.
"The policy is that the students can't touch the change-grade form," Neufang said. "The whole confusing process has slowed it down a month."
Grade complaints such as these, as well as academic misconduct charges, can often lead to problems with professors that need further mediation. The Student Advocacy Center handles this communication.
"Our office walks students through university processes and help them decide what's reasonable," said Jennifer Irwin, a program coordinator for the Student Advocacy Center. "Often it can be resolved by sitting and really discussing the issues."
At the Student Advocacy Center, students are asked to describe their entire situation: their grades, class attendance, environment and status with the professor, Irwin said. Then they take the next steps.
For grade complaints, it is as simple as getting professors to agree with the change, she said.
For academic misconduct charges, it is all about preparing for the case, since it is not uncommon for students to want to appeal their case.
"I wouldn't say (it happens) often, but it's not unusual," said Peter Pappas, a coordinator for the Committee of Academic Misconduct. "Very, very, very few students actually get off. Most often the provost will modify the sanctions."
The Student Advocacy Center can help students with their appeals.
"We work with students to help sort out their case and to prepare their case and statements," Irwin said. "We often go to the hearing for support."
Irwin said COAM and the SAC have a good relationship.
"They often send students to us," she said.
Despite the help they can receive for grade complaints and academic conduct charges, problems with professors can arise.
"Professor complaints - I wouldn't say they are frequent, but they usually start out as grade complaints," Irwin said. "Students come to us who have a concern with a professor, who don't think they are treated fairly."
At times the center needs to contact the professor to facilitate communication.
"If students just sit with professors, it can be resolved," Irwin said, adding that if necessary students can even talk to department heads.
"Sometimes multiple students even come from one class," she said. "We'll take all the information to the head of department."
It takes a strong student to share his or her concerns with a professor, but the results are worth the effort, Irwin said.
"Often times there may be a mediation between instructors and students for a mutual beneficial outcome," she said.
This technique worked for Neufang. He said he was able to get a written statement from his professor that the grade should be changed, and is confident that the situation will be resolved.
"If you'd asked me five weeks ago, I would have said I'm still freaking out," he said.
Everdeen Mason can be reached at mason.388@osu.edu.
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