Academic Appeals
Grade Grievance
In order to institute the grade grievance procedure for a final course grade, the student will be prepared to show that course or grade requirements were not clearly explained in the section syllabus, requirements were not uniformly applied, requirements were changed without sufficient notice or for capricious reasons, the faculty member’s data were not accurate, the final course grade could not be reasonably derived from data given, and/or prejudice affected assignment of the grade.
The outcome of the process may be that the assigned grade will stand, assignment of the grade will be postponed until some agreed upon work has been completed, another grade will be substituted for the one originally assigned, or a compromise fitting the specific situation is reached. If the outcome results in the change of the final course grade, then the student has exhausted all appeals and is not eligible to request a late withdrawal from the course.
In the event that the faculty member who assigned the grade is no longer employed by the College, a faculty member from the same program or discipline will serve in the stead of the original faculty member. This substitute faculty member will be selected by a vote of the faculty members and the department head in the affected department or discipline.
In the event that the faculty member who assigned the grade will be returning to his or her position at the College but is temporarily away for longer than ten (10) days, the faculty member will be notified by his or her department head of the impending action. Unless the faculty member agrees to be available to meet earlier or has an alternate solution, the timelines below shall be amended so that the initial ten (10) days specified in Step One will not begin until the faculty member returns from the temporary absence. If, however, the Step Two deadline would be delayed longer than thirty (30) calendar days, another full-time faculty member or administrator shall be designated to substitute. If the faculty member is unable to identify a substitute who is willing and able to fill this role, the department head shall serve as the substitute. For extenuating circumstances where the student cannot meet the 10-day deadline, the student should contact the appropriate department head or dean for an extension of time. The student should be prepared to present appropriate documentation to explain the need for the extension.
Informal Process for Grade Grievance
1. Within ten (10) working days of when the student’s final grade is posted on the College’s Student Information System, the student shall meet with the faculty member and present data to support his or her assertion.
2. Within ten (10) working days, the faculty member must give fair hearing to the student’s claim and consider the data in an attempt to resolve the issue. In the event that the resolution is not satisfactory to the student, the student may proceed to Step Three.
3. The student must meet with the department head and present data to support his or her assertion in the dispute. The department head must then meet and discuss the dispute with the faculty member. The department head must then attempt to resolve the dispute within ten (10) working days. In the event that the resolution is not satisfactory to the student, the student may proceed to Step Four.
4. The student must meet with the appropriate dean and present data to support his or her assertion in the dispute. The dean must then meet and discuss the dispute with the faculty member and department head. The dean must then attempt to resolve the dispute within ten (10) working days. In the event that the resolution is not satisfactory to the student, the student may proceed to the Formal Process.
Formal Process for Grade Grievance
Within ten (10) working days of when the student is notified of the dean’s response, the student may begin the formal grievance process by outlining the grievance in writing and presenting the petition to the dean. A one-time panel will be assembled including three (3) students and three (3) faculty members, none of whom shall have any direct connection with the parties involved. At least one of the student members and at least one of the faculty members must be from a related discipline in which the grade is being disputed. In the event that there is no related discipline, at least one (1) student member and at least one (1) faculty member shall possess demonstrated knowledge of or experience with the discipline area involved in the grade dispute. A chair for the panel will be selected by the Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs. Following the hearing, the chair will submit the panel’s recommendation to the Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, for a final decision.