While the undergraduate grade appeal process is being reviewed by the University Council, three students are currently having problems with their appeals.

One student, James Mertes, said he thinks the wording of the procedure is vague. “It is difficult to prove your case under the three current guidelines.” Mertes is appealing his Chemistry 210A grade.

The procedure states the chairman of the department in question will appoint two faculty members and one undergraduate student to a grade review board. Mertes is concerned about the inability of students to ask for the dismissal of a board member they think is biased.

One board member involved with Mertes’ case is chemistry Professor David Piatak. Mertes said he told Piatak he received a good grade in Chemistry 211, a continuation of Chemistry 210A. Mertes said Piatak told him the Chem 211 grade was irrelevant.

owever, Mertes said Piatak told another student appealing his Chem 210A grade, Mike Komons, that his Chem 211 grade was relevant to the current discussion. Komons received a low grade in Chem 211.

Mertes said he thought Piatak was biased and asked him to resign from the board. Mertes said Piatak agreed, but chemistry department Chairman Joe Vaughn refused to accept the resignation. Mertes said the chairman is supposed to relay information in the case, not make decisions regarding resignations.

Piatak had no comment.

The other student, also appealing his Chem 210A grade, did not want to comment.