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231 - Grade Appeal

Responsible Office:  Student Success
Responsible Officer:  Vice President of Student Success
Related Policies or Procedures:  n/a

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of this grade appeal policy is to establish a clear and fair process by which students can ask for review of a final course grade they believe has been awarded in a manner inconsistent with college policies or has resulted from calculation errors on the part of the instructor. Only the final grade given for the course can be appealed.

PART 1. POLICY 

Since evaluation of student performance is based upon instructors’ professional experience and judgment, final grade appeals will not be considered unless they are based upon one or more of the following factors:

  1. A documentable error was made in grade calculation.
  2. The grade was assigned using standards different from those established in written course, department, or college policies, if such policies exist.The instructor changed previous written standards, instructions, or rubrics in determining the grade without notifying students.
  3. The grade assigned appeared arbitrary based on the factors listed above.

PART 2.  PROCEDURES 

A student challenging a grade should do so in a timely manner following the grade being posted to their official transcript. The grade appeal process needs to be completed within one academic term [summer is not considered one academic term] of the course being completed. This means 

  • Fall course appeals need to be completed by the last day of class in the spring semester.
  • Spring course appeals need to be completed by the last day of class of the following fall semester.
  • Summer course appeals need to be completed by the last day of class of fall semester. 

Step 1:  Meet with Faculty (Informal Resolution). A student considering a grade appeal will first contact the instructor and attempt to resolve the issue.

Mutual agreement between student and instructor will conclude the appeal process at this step.

Step 2:  Appeal to the Dean (Formal Resolution). If the issue is not resolved in Step 1, the student can submit a written grade appeal form available under Quick Links/Student Forms (Final Course Grade Appeal Form).  This form should be sent to the dean who oversees that academic area.

The Dean will recommend to the course instructor one of the following: 1) that the grade not be changed, 2) that the student is entitled to a re-evaluation of work by the instructor, or 3) that the grade be changed without further evaluation.  The Dean will communicate to the student their decision and the action being taken.  

Step 3: Appeal to the Vice President of Student Success (Formal Resolution). Students have the right to appeal the Dean’s decision to the Vice President of Student Success. If new information becomes available, the appeal will be returned to the Dean for re-evaluation. The appeal must be submitted using the Final Course Grade Appeal Form  and must include all supporting and relevant documents, including previous information used to resolve the concern. Students are expected to retain a copy of all relevant materials for their records.

The Vice President will review the appeal from the student and consult with the faculty member and Dean. The Vice President will notify the student in writing of the final decision of the consultation and provide a copy of the response to the faculty member and the Dean. The decision of the Vice President is final and binding. Appeals brought to the attention of the President, Board of Trustees, or Office of the Chancellor will be referred back to the Dean.

Internal Process 

1.    The student submits a Final Course Grade Appeal Form.
2.    The appropriate academic Dean receives notification that the form has been submitted and reviews the information provided by the student.

a.    The Academic Dean becomes the main point of contact for the student, reviews the appeal and contacts other individuals, as needed, to gather additional information and verify facts.
b.    The Academic Dean communicates the decision to the student and copies the instructor and the Registrar’s office.  The Southeast staff member updates the case notes with the appropriate information and closes the case. A final copy of the case is added to the student’s electronic academic file

3.    In the case of an appeal to the Vice President of Student Success, they become the main point of contact for the student, reviews the appeal and contacts other individuals, as needed, to gather additional information and verify facts. The Vice President of Student Success communicates the decision to the student and copies the instructor, the Academic Dean and the Registrar’s office.  The Southeast staff member updates the case notes with the appropriate information and closes the case. Data review is completed in accordance with applicable data privacy policies.

 

 

Date of Implementation: November 20, 2024
Date of Last Review:
Date of Revision(s):