If a student has reason to believe that a final grade he / she has received is incorrect, the student must first contact the professor and informally attempt to resolve the issue before beginning a formal, written grade appeal. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, the student may then proceed with the formal, written, grade appeal process, as noted below.
A formal, written grade appeal must be started no later than the last day of classes of the first long (regular) semester which follows receipt of the disputed grade. For example, to appeal a grade received for a class completed during the fall semester, the student has until the last day of the following spring semester to begin the written appeal.
The only grounds for a student to appeal a final, semester grade are:
- The grade is allegedly based on an error in calculation.
- The grade allegedly did not follow the grading criteria as stated in the course syllabus.
It shall be the responsibility of the student to prove that the grade is incorrect or unjustified. Students may not appeal disagreements based on teaching methodologies, attendance policies, or grade weighting methods. During the term of the course it is the student’s responsibility to communicate any concerns he/she may have about the course or grade to the Professor.
An appeal will not be heard at any level unless the proper appeal steps have been followed.
Academic Dishonesty issues go through the Academic Dishonesty process, not through the Grade Appeal Process.
Process for a formal, written Grade Appeal
- Written Appeal to Professor
- The student is to obtain the Formal Grade Appeal Form from the Academic Division in which the course was offered.
- The student is to contact the Professor and provide the Formal Grade Appeal Form with the top section already completed by the student. This is to allow written documentation of reasons for the appeal. This contact with the Professor may be by any method including person-to-person, letter or e-mail. If the Professor is not available, the student should submit the Formal Grade Appeal Form to the Dean who supervises the Professor.
- The Professor will complete his/her part of the Form within 10 business days (Monday – Friday) following receipt of the form from the student. If the Professor agrees with the student request for grade change, within 5 business days of that decision, a Grade Change Form will be initiated by the Professor and submitted to the Registrar. If the Professor does not agree with the student, the grade remains unchanged.
- The student may either accept the Professor’s decision or advance the appeal to the appropriate Academic Dean no later than 20 business days following receipt of the Professor’s decision.
- Written Appeal to the Academic Dean
- The student makes a formal, written appeal to the Academic Dean by submitting a copy of the Grade Appeal Form as completed at the previous level, to the appropriate Dean.
- The Dean will complete his / her part of the Form within 10 business days of receiving the formal, written request for appeal from the student.
- If the Academic Dean agrees with the student request for a grade change, within 5 business days of that decision, the Dean will have a Grade Change Form initiated. If the Dean does not agree with the student, the grade remains unchanged.
- The Student may either accept the Dean’s decision or advance the appeal to the Vice President for Instruction no later than 20 business days following receipt of the Dean’s decision.
- Written Appeal to the Vice President for Instruction
- The student requests a formal, written appeal to the Vice President for Instruction by submitting a copy of the Form, as completed at the previous levels, to the Vice President for Instruction.
- The Vice President will complete his / her review of the grade appeal request within 10 business days of receiving the formal, written request for appeal from the student.
- If the Vice President agrees with the student request for a grade change, within 5 business days of that decision, the Vice President for Instruction will have a Grade Change Form initiated. If the Vice President does not agree with the student, the grade remains unchanged.
- The decision of the Vice President for Instruction is final. No further appeals of this grade may take place.
