Grade Appeal Policy
This Policy shall apply to grade appeals unrelated to issues pertaining to Policy 6.22 Student Code of Conduct. The grade appeal process applies only to final course grades. In the event a student appeals a grade that prevents progression in a program, the student will be allowed to enroll and attend the following semester pending the outcome of the appeal. For sequential classes that have a clinical component, the student will be allowed to take the academic coursework, but will not be allowed to participate in the clinical component of the class until the appeal is over. If the grade is upheld, the student will be administratively dropped from the course and refunded the tuition.
If at any stage of the grade appeal the student does not take the next step within the time allotted, the appeal shall be settled in the manner determined by the instructor or administrator at the last step. All references to number of days in this procedure shall be determined to mean college working days. The student may withdraw the grade appeal at any step of this procedure.
Applications and Definitions
For purposes of this policy, a course grade is deemed to have been assigned arbitrarily or impermissibly if, by clear and convincing evidence, a student establishes that the grade was based on one of the following:
1. The course grade was based upon the student's race, color, creed, national
origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, or other personal
characteristics, or for some other arbitrary or personal reason unrelated
to the instructor's exercise of his or her professional academic judgment
in the evaluation of the academic performance of the student.
2. The course grade was assigned in a manner not consistent with the
standards and procedures for evaluation established by the instructor,
usually at the beginning of the course in the course syllabus but
supplemented on occasion during the semester in other clearly
documented communication directed to the class as a whole.
3. The course grade assigned by the instructor was the result of a clear
and material mistake in calculating or recording grades. Individual
elements (e.g., assignments, tests, activities, and projects) which
contribute to a course grade are generally NOT subject to appeal
or subsequent review during a grade appeal procedure. However,
individual elements may be appealed under these procedures
providing all of the following conditions are met:
a. The student presents compelling evidence that
one or more individual elements were graded
on arbitrary or impermissible grounds (defined
above in this section);
b. Grounds can be established for determining a professionally
sound grade for the appealed element(s); and
c. The ensuing grade for each appealed element
would have resulted in a different course grade
than that assigned by the faculty member.
Grade Appeal Process
A. If a student is dissatisfied with their grade, the student must first meet with
the instructor who assigned the grade within five (5) days after official receipt
of that grade. The instructor will make a written determination and provide it
to the student. In cases where the student is unable to meet in person with
the instructor, the student may contact the instructor by letter or email. If the
instructor is no longer employed at the college, the student may proceed to B.
B. If the student is still dissatisfied with the instructor’s determination, within five (5)
days thereafter, the student may meet with the Program Coordinator/Director.
The student must present the instructor’s written determination. In cases where
the student is unable to meet in person with the Coordinator/Director, the student
may contact the Coordinator/Director by letter or email. The Coordinator/Dean
will make a written determination and provide it to the student.
C. If the student is still dissatisfied with the Program Coordinator/Director’s determination,
within five (5) days thereafter, the student may meet with the Department Dean. The
student must present the Coordinator/Director’s written determination. In cases where
the student is unable to meet in person with the Department Dean, the student may
contact the Dean by letter or email. The Department Dean will make a written determination
and provide it to the student.
D. If the student is dissatisfied with the Department Dean’s determination, within five (5) days
thereafter, the student may meet with the Vice President, Instruction (“Vice President”).
The student must present the Department Dean’s written determination. In cases where
the student is unable to meet in person with the Vice President, the student may contact the
Vice President by letter or email. The Vice President for Instruction shall make a written
determination and provide it to the student.
E. If the student is dissatisfied with the Vice President’s determination, within five (5) days
thereafter, the student may file a written appeal with all documentary evidence to the President.
The Vice President shall also file a written response, attaching the instructor and Department
Dean’s prior written decisions, to the President. The President or the President’s designee
shall perform an “on the record review” and will make a determination within ten (10) days after
receipt of the student’s appeal. If needed for clarification, the President or the President’s
designee may meet with the student or ask the student or Vice President to submit additional
information. The President or the President’s designee shall make a written determination
and provide a copy of the decision to the student, the instructor, the Dean, and the Vice President.
The President’s or the President’s designee’s decision is final.