dd7c3000__Situations___Dean_of_Students__Recommended_Responses
[Issue] Aggressive Student Demand/Request Ex: Student is aggressively accusing you of not communicating clear expectations for an assignment and is demanding aggressively that you change his/her grade. [Resource(s)] Department Chair Faculty Colleagues Student Grievance Officer [Recommended Responses] 
Ask the student to please discuss this in a calm manner and state you would be happy to listen. An option that some faculty use in regards to grade conversations is to require all students to wait 24 hours or to meet during office hours. Listen to the concern and attempt to understand the student’s rationale. If you prefer, you could ask the student to submit concerns in writing. Another option would be to tell him/her that you are going to think about the request and will respond after you have had time to evaluate the request. You could consult with your department chair or other faculty in your department. You can then decide how you will inform them of your decision--email or at the next class meeting. If you consulted others before making the decision, you could choose to inform the student that your decision was made after consulting with the department chair or other faculty. If you think it is appropriate, you can modify the grade or give an alternative assignment. If you think the expectations were clear, inform the student that the expectations were clear and the grade will stand. Follow department protocol for academic grievances/complaints. If the student persists in the argument, inform him/her that the next step would be to contact the student grievance officer.
Response Guide for Difficult Student Situations — Dean of Students
Recommended Responses