...the final say in affairs unless a student specifically requested to speak with the professor, which I would then facilitate arranging a formal meeting for the student to have a one-on-one with the professor to discuss the grade. I was also the one to regrade, if a regrade was requested. (4/4)

I personally mediated several disputes across several courses with the goal of avoiding formal censure of students, but there were a few cases I put forth to the Professor who, in turn, reported to the Integrity Council. But for basic failure to adhere to outlined instructions, I was largely - (3/4)

...responsibility to mediate disputes, including grade disputes, before escalating it up the chain. Professors would give a standard (ex: we expect a "B" average for the course), but most marking assistance to other TAs was provided by the Lead TA via rubrics given by the Professor. (2/4)

In my experience as both a general and Lead TA is that no - the Professor would offer advice if a TA had marking questions, but outliers typically first go to the Lead TA who then makes a judgement call to discuss it with the Professor, with the understanding that it was the Lead's - (1/4)

I’m looking forward to asking my university president next week about how much they will protect instructors and TAs from this bullshit. If I can’t even fail a student for literally not following the assignment instructions, or writing a bad paper, then what the hell is the point of a class?