This procedure allows the student the opportunity to appeal a final grade in a
course, if he/she believes that the final grade was given capriciously or
unfairly. This procedure applies only to final grades and not individual
assignments or exams during the semester. This procedure is not for an
individual to pursue the resolution of a grading dispute. It cannot be used for
a "class action" dispute, i.e., not on behalf of two or more students.
Step#1:
Instructor and Student (Informal) To appeal a final grade, the student must
contact the instructor within seven (7) working days after the
beginning of classes. If the instructor is unavailable, the student must leave a
written request for an appointment in the department's office. Once appropriate
notification is mad, the instructor and the student should meet within ten(10)
working days and attempt to resolve the dispute informally.
If the instructor is not available for 221 days or more, the
department had will act as a substitute, listen to the grievance and render a
decision. During that session, the instructor must submit a written explanation
of the reason for the grade. The student may appeal the head's decision to the
next step, but the instructor has to accept the decision as final.
Step #2:
Department Grade Grievance Committee (Formal) If the grade dispute is not
resolved in step #1 to the student's satisfaction, and he/she
believes the case merits further attention, the student has a right to file a
formal written grievance to the department head, who will forward it immediately
to the Department Grade Grievance Committee.
Substantive and procedural guidelines to determine appropriate
claims include the following:
-
Grievance must be based on substantiated, documented evidence
of the capricious or unfair award of the grade.
-
Grievance must be filed within fifteen (15)
working days after the step one decision has been handed down. Within ten
(10) working days after the receipt of the written grievance, the
department head must schedule a hearing before the Department Grade Grievance
Committee. The dispute may not arbitrarily be dismissed without hearing:
however, the Department Head may request a closed three-person meeting with the
instructor, the student and the department head, acting only as mediator and not
decision maker. If not, of if either the teacher or the student refuses to
attend, the grievance hearing is held as intended. The Department Grade
Grievance Committee shall be composed of three faculty members and two students,
selected in accordance with the procedures established by the department. The
Committee may be ad hoc or standing for each department. A decision must be
issued within five (5) working days after the decision is
rendered.
Step #3 University Grade Grievance Committee (Appeal)
Requirements necessary for the appeal include the following:
- One dissenting vote on the Department Grade Grievance level, or
-
New evidence or new witnesses have become available since the
Department Grade Grievance hearing. The appeal must be submitted in writing to
the Vice President for Academic Administration with a copy forwarded to the dean
for the appropriate college. The University Grade Grievance Committee is chaired
by the Vice President for Academic Administration or designee, and is composed
as follows:
- The Dean of the involved college.
- Two faculty members (one from the involved college but not from the
department).
- One student appointed by the Student Movement.
This committee reviews the document entered into evidence, listens to the
recorded transcript and reviews the final report from the Department Grade
Grievance Committee. Within twenty (20) days of receipt of the
appeal, the University Grad Grievance Committee will issue a written decision.
The decision shall be final.