GRADE APPEAL POLICY
In
reviewing appeals relating to the receipt of grades or symbols, the process
will be entirely restricted to alleged violations of institutional policy, and/or
stated classroom procedures and policies rather than with course content or
with matters of the instructor’s judgment.
When
a student believes that an instructor has not followed proper procedure in the
classroom (e.g.: failure to follow stated grading policy or other procedures
and objectives as outlined in the syllabus) and if the student wishes to
appeal, the student will adhere to the following procedure.
A. The
student will discuss the contested grade(s) or symbol(s) with the course
instructor within the first 30 days of the semester following the award of the
grade. If the student is unable to
contact the instructor, the student should seek the aid of the chair of the
appropriate division. The role of the
division chair at this stage of the process is to facilitate dialogue between
the student and instructor.
B. If
dialogue between the instructor and the student has not resolved the issue, the
student must inform the instructor in writing that s/he intends to file a grade
appeal with a copy to the Division Chair.
C. The
student will complete a Grade Appeal Form available from the Office of the Vice
President for Academic Affairs. This
Form along with any supporting documents must be submitted to the Office of the
Division Chair within 14 days of the written notification of intent to
appeal. A copy of the form and all
documentation must be forwarded to the Office of Division Chair. The Division Chair will forward a copy of the
student’s letter of appeal and any supporting documentation provided to the
instructor.
D. The
Division Chair will request written responses to the student's appeal from the
course instructor within two weeks of the appeal request.
E. The Division Chair will select a
three-member committee to serve on a review panel. The committee shall include two faculty from the department or academic area of the
instructor concerned and one from closely related academic areas or departments
outside the division.
F. The panel
will review the information provided by the student in the Grade Appeal Form,
supporting documents from the student, and written responses provided by the
course instructor to determine if there is just cause for further appeal. If there is just cause, the panel will
collect additional information concerning the appeal. All information so gathered should remain
completely confidential. The committee
shall consider all aspects of the case before making a recommendation within 3
weeks.
G. After
gathering the relevant information, the panel will submit their recommendation
with supporting documents to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and copy
to the division chair. The Vice
President for Academic Affairs will review all documentation and make a decision
to either approve or deny the appeal.. Decisions of the Vice President for Academic
Affairs are final and are not subject to appeal.
GRADE APPEAL FORM
Please Print
Name: _______________________________Student ID Number:___________________ Date:______
(first) (middle) (last)
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Telephone Numbers: Home: __________________ Work:_____________________
Cell: __________________
Email Address:________________
Course Being Appealed: _______________________ Instructor:___________________
Semester: ___ Fall ___Spring ___Summer (please check)
*** Student should return to the Office of Vice President
for Academic Affairs the
Appeal Form with supporting
documentation to include:
·
Typed student appeal stating concern(s) in
very specific terms
· Any documents that support appeal
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
For Office Use Only
Members of Appeal Committee: __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Committee Recommendation __________________________________________
and Justification:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
VPAA Decision: __________________________________________