I. Statement of Policy
The purpose of the Student Grade Appeal Procedure is to provide an orderly and equitable process for resolving differences between students and faculty relating to final course grades. A course grade assigned in a manner consistent with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute policy can be changed only by the instructor. College administrators can direct a grade to be changed only when it is determined through the procedure established by this policy that the faculty member assigned the course grade impermissibly or arbitrarily as defined below.
Faculty Responsibility:
It is a fundamental principle of higher education that faculty members are expected to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating student performance. At the same time, faculty members have the responsibility to specify in each of their courses at the beginning of the academic term:
- Course requirements and expectations for academic performance
- Procedures for evaluating performance (method(s) of evaluation and grading scales).
Faculty members must clearly document to all students in the course any subsequent additions to or changes in these requirements, standards, and procedures. Finally, faculty members have the responsibility to apply the specified grading criteria equitably to the academic performance of all students in the course regardless of their race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, or other personal characteristics.
Student Responsibility:
Students have the responsibility to know and adhere to college policies and standards pertaining to them. As students willingly accept the benefits of membership in the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute academic community, they are obligated to uphold and observe the principles and standards articulated in the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Catalog and the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Student Handbook.