Final grades are released by the Registrar’s Office one week after the end of each academic term. All grade reports are mailed to the student’s mailing address of record.

Questions and concerns about grades often result from misunderstandings about grading practices and expected standards. Direct communication between instructors and the students usually clear up these misunderstandings. In some cases, however, a grade appeal is warranted.

Students have the right to appeal a grade and request a reconsideration of the assigned grade; however, they must provide sufficient, tangible evidence to support their request for a re-examination of the assigned grade.

Reasons for reconsideration of a grade appeal may include:

• Miscalculation of marks;
• Misgrading of a paper, project or exam;
• Application of an evaluation or grading system which was not included in the course syllabus;
• A departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards;
• Assignment of grade on some basis other than the student’s performance in the course;
• Demonstrable evidence of discrimination or prejudice in the assignment of the grade;
• Arbitrary assignment of grade (lack of consistent and equitable standards for grading).

• Allegations by the student do not indicate erratic grading;
• The basis of the disagreement is with the instructor’s particular grading standards;
• The appeal is not submitted within the given one month period subsequent to the issuance of the grade.

Students should follow the steps listed below to clarify any questions about a particular grade or the instructor’s grading policy:

1. The student should make an appointment with the appropriate instructor when there is any question about a particular grade or the instructor’s grading policy. Students in the Study Abroad Program (SAP) may contact the instructor via telephone or e-mail;
2. The student seeking additional clarification related to grading should make an appointment with the appropriate Dean or Program Chair;
3. The student seeking further recourse related to a grade received should make an appointment with the Provost and Chief Academic Officer. The Provost and Chief Academic Officer will discuss the questions raised with the instructor, give the student a perspective regarding the grade and review the mechanism for appeal;
4. The student may request a Grade Appeal Council to review the matter. Composition/operations of the Council parallel those of the Honor Council;
5. In the event that the grade in question is received in a course taught by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, the Dean or Program Chair will discuss the matter with the President, give the student a perspective regarding the grade and review the mechanism for appeal. All grade appeals must be submitted within one month subsequent to issuance of the grade;
6. If a student chooses to appeal a decision beyond the Grade Appeal Council decision, all documentation can be submitted to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for review. Final review may be requested of the university’s Grievance Officer.

At AUD, students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity by completing their own work, assignments and assessments. Effective planning and progress must be accomplished for students to be successful in their degree program of study. Submission of work from another person, whether it is from printed sources or someone other than the student; previously graded papers; papers submitted without proper source citation; or submitting the same paper to multiple courses without the approval of all instructors involved can result in a failing grade or be reported to the Dean/ Program Chair for appropriate sanction or disciplinary actions. All students are expected to maintain the standards as set forth in the Code of Student Conduct and Statement on Academic Honesty.

The administration, faculty and student government of AUD believe strongly in the Academic Policies and Procedures concept of an honor system. This belief is based on the knowledge that in competitive professional environments, greater emphasis is placed on originality and integrity of ideas and work. All members of the AUD academic community, including faculty, students, and administration, are expected to assist in maintaining the integrity of the university, which includes reporting incidents that violate the Statement on Academic Honesty.

To this end, all students are asked to adhere to an honor pledge that reads as follows:

“As a student of The American University in Dubai, I pledge that all tests taken by me and that all work submitted by me will be original and solely the results of my own efforts. Furthermore, as a student and member of the academic community of The American University in Dubai, I am bound to uphold standards of personal integrity and honesty and to accept my personal, academic and professional responsibilities in the community.

Specifically, I pledge:

• to adhere to the university’s policy on cheating and plagiarism;
• not to lie or steal in my university undertakings;
• not to evade the truth or deceive;
• to inform the appropriate faculty member and Dean or Program Chair of my School or Department of any and all cases of academic dishonesty and violations of the Honor Code.”