Grade Appeal Procedure
This policy ensures students are treated fairly in grading while protecting faculty rights.
This policy ensures students are treated fairly in grading while protecting faculty rights.
A student who feels that an inaccurate or unfair grade has been awarded must first consult the instructor. This consultation must take place and the appeal process begun, no later than six weeks after the beginning of the semester following the assignment of the disputed grade.
The instructor should explain to the student the process of arriving at the grade.
If the issue remains unresolved, both the student and the instructor are required to put their explanations in writing.
The written statements and any supporting documents are forwarded to the appropriate dean who will convene the Divisional Advisory Council86 to consider the appeal. The Council will investigate the dispute and make a decision.
The Advisory Council is free to consult faculty and students from the discipline concerned, and the individual disputants, in arriving at its decision. If the faculty member whose grade is being challenged is not a member of a division, the appeal is sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs will convene the deans who will act in lieu of an advisory council. If the appeal involves an instructor in physical education, the Athletic Director will also be a member of the appeal board.
A copy of the advisory council’s decision will be sent to the faculty member, the student, and the Registrar.
If either party wishes to challenge the decision of the advisory council, an appeal must be made directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs as soon as possible after receipt of decision. Action by the Vice President for Academic Affairs on an appeal is final.
