Grade Appeals
Students have the right to ask an instructor for an explanation of any grade received. Students should be aware that establishing course requirements and assignments, evaluating a student’s work, and assigning a grade are the responsibility and the prerogative of the individual instructor. In the event the final grade received in a course was assigned in a manner inconsistent with the course syllabus, or was assigned using a method other than that used to compute other students’ grades in that course, the matter may be resolved through the grade appeal procedure. It should be noted, the student bears the burden of proving there are sufficient grounds for changing a grade.
The right to appeal a grade expires as follows:
- A grade received in the Fall Semester must be appealed by February 1 of the following semester;
- A grade received in the Spring Semester must be appealed by June 1 of the following term; and
- A grade received in the Summer Term must be appealed by September 1 of the following semester.
The student must request a meeting with the instructor to resolve the grade. The student must explain to the instructor why the student considers the grade to be incorrect. If the instructor is not available, the student must see the discipline/program coordinator or the department chair to schedule an appointment with the instructor.
If the matter of a final grade is not resolved through discussions with the instructor, the student may file a formal written appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The appeal must contain a statement of the problem, description of attempts to resolve the matter directly with the instructor, relevant information and documentation in support of the appeal, and the suggested remedy concerning the grade.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs will review the materials and confer with the student, instructor, and others as needed to resolve the matter. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will render a decision within 30 calendar days after receiving the student’s grade appeal. All parties involved in the appeals process receive notice of the decision through official College email.
Grade Appeal Final Decision
If either the student or the instructor wishes to appeal the Vice President’s decision, a written appeal must be made to the President within two weeks of the Vice President’s decision. The President will review the written appeal materials; discuss the appeal with the student, instructor, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and others as needed; and will render a decision within 30 days after receiving the written grade appeal. The President will send a decision to the student, instructor, dean, and Vice President of Academic Affairs through official College email. The appeals process ends with the President’s decision.
Academic Integrity Appeals
The student must request a meeting with the instructor to resolve the academic integrity violation. The student must explain to the instructor why the student considers the violation of academic integrity to be incorrect. If the instructor is not available, the student must see the discipline coordinator or the department chair to schedule an appointment with the instructor.
If the matter is not resolved through discussions with the instructor, the student may file a formal written appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Student Affairs will notify the student by official college email once the completed form is submitted. The student must request an appeal within two weeks of the dated email from Student Affairs. The appeal must contain a statement of the problem, description of attempts to resolve the matter directly with the instructor, relevant information and documentation in support of the appeal, and the suggested remedy concerning the academic integrity violation. Once a written appeal is made, the student may continue to attend class until the allegation is resolved.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs will review the materials and confer with the student, instructor, and others, as needed to investigate the allegation. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will render a decision within 30 calendar days after receiving the student’s appeal. All parties involved in the appeals process receive notice of the decision through official College email.
Academic Integrity Final Decision
If either the student or the instructor wishes to appeal the Vice President’s decision, a written appeal must be made to the President within two weeks of the Vice President’s decision. The President will review the written appeal materials; discuss the appeal with the student, instructor, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and others as needed; and, will render a decision within 30 calendar days after receiving the written appeal. The President will send a decision to all parties involved in the appeals process through official College email. The appeals process ends with the President’s decision.