It is the responsibility of the director of graduate studies to inform each graduate student of the appropriate channels of appeal. In normal circumstances, the director of graduate studies is the first to hear a complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved satisfactorily at this level, the student may address, in turn, the department chair, the senior associate dean of The Graduate School, and the dean of The Graduate School, who shall be the final avenue of appeal. An appeal must be filed in writing with the next appropriate university officer within 10 days after a decision has been formally rendered by any of the university officers mentioned above.