UMass Grade Deflation – To the Courts!

The spring semester is just underway. The student population has brought back an influx of students into Boston and across the Commonwealth. But a student, Brian Marquis, at UMass Amherst won't let the fall semester go. He's holding on and disputing a grade he received. He's exchanged the emails with the TA, talked to various higher-ups in the department, and taken it to the next step. He's filed grievance in the courts – fifteen counts against the University and individuals including violation of the first amendment and breach of contract. The UMass Daily Collegian details the conflict

The dispute is over the final grade Marquis received in Philosophy 161: Problems in Social Thought, a course he took during the Fall 2006 semester. Marquis' final numerical grade for the class was an 84, which translated into a C for the semester.

Marquis alleges his exams, papers and participation grades for the semester equal 92.1, not 84. He said he deserves an A- in the course. Before filing a complaint with the district attorney's office on Jan. 31, Marquis exchanged e-mails with Jeremy Cushing, the T.A. who taught the course and gave Marquis the C.

It should be said that Marquis is studying to become a lawyer. Perhaps filing the law suit is one way to get his point across that he's fully capable of performing in the court system.