Handbooks & Policies
Grade Appeal
Appeal of Final Letter Grade
Overview:
It is the right and responsibility of the faculty to establish student grades. As outlined below, this right shall be abrogated only if clear and convincing evidence is presented by the student as specified herein.
The appeal process for students who question a final grade in a course is to discuss the grade with the instructor and, if unresolved, appeal the matter to the instructor. If the instructor denies a student’s appeal, the student can appeal to the Department Chair (see Directory to determine the faculty member's department and department chair). A final appeal can be made to the Dean of the College. Exceptions: If the Department Chair is the instructor involved in the appeal, the appeal goes directly to the Dean and then to the Provost for final decision. If the Dean is the instructor involved in the appeal, the appeal goes to the Chair and then to the Provost for final decision.
Permitted Actions:
1. Only the final course grade may be appealed. Individual assignment grades (exams, quizzes, etc.) should be discussed with the instructor throughout the semester.
2. All recognized appeals by students and instructors should be written and delivered to the appropriate individual (instructor, Chair, or Dean) either electronically or by hard copy. The individual appealing is responsible for assuring the receipt of the appeal.
3. The appeal process does not allow for grading or re-grading of individual assignments by anyone other than the instructor.
4. Decisions at the Chair level or higher can include:
a. denial of the appeal
b. upholding the appeal, at which point the final course grade will be changed
Evaluation Criteria:
Grade appeals will be granted only if the student presents clear and convincing evidence of one or more of the following:
1. procedural or clerical error by the instructor that had a negative impact on the student’s grade
2. bias on the part of the instructor that had a negative impact on the student’s grade
3. the grading being arbitrary, capricious or outside accepted norms with resultant negative impact on the student’s grade.
Procedures and Timeline:
1. Students must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor and/or course coordinator.
2. If the student decides to formally appeal the final grade, he/she should provide a written appeal, to include rationale/justification for the appeal, to the instructor/course coordinator within 3 business days from the grade submission due date posted by the University’s Office of Student Records on the final exam schedule. If the instructor is no longer employed by the University, the appeal will go directly to the Department Chair.
3. The instructor should notify the student upon receipt of the appeal, but the student is responsible for assuring the receipt of the appeal. If the instructor cannot be contacted, the student should notify the department chair of his/her appeal and ask for assistance in contacting the instructor.
4. Instructors will e-mail or mail a written decision to the student within 3 business days of receiving the appeal. If the instructor fails to provide a decision within 3 days, the student should notify the department chair to intervene in obtaining the decision or furthering the appeal.
5. After receiving the instructor’s decision, the student has 3 business days to appeal the final grade, in writing, to the Department Chair. It is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence to support the appeal. The Chair will investigate the appeal. The investigation will include discussing the matter with the instructor and may include requesting the instructor to support the accuracy and fairness of his/her grading. The student’s written appeal constitutes authorization for the Chair to have access to the student’s educational files and grades pertaining to the appeal.
6. The Chair has 3 business days from the date of receiving the appeal to render a decision and provide the decision to all parties.
7. If the Chair’s decision is to deny the appeal, the student has 3 business days to appeal the grade, in writing, to the Dean. The student may also elect to meet with the Dean to present information directly related to the appeal. The Dean will provide a final decision to all parties within 3 business days of receiving the appeal.
8. If the Chair’s decision is to grant the appeal, the instructor has 3 business days to appeal, in writing, to the Dean. The instructor may meet with the Dean to present information directly related to the appeal. The Dean will provide a final decision to all parties within 3 business days of receiving the appeal.
NOTE: Timelines may be extended if necessary evidence or individuals are not available.
Timeline: (in business days from the grade submission due date posted by the University’s Office of Student Records on the final exam schedule)
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Student Appeal |
Instructor Response |
Student Appeal |
Chair Response |
Student Appeal |
Dean's Response |
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1 2 3 |
4 5 6 |
7 8 9 |
10 11 12 |
13 14 15 |
16 17 18 |
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Instructor Appeal |
Dean's Response |
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13 14 15 |
16 17 18 |
Posted: 12/17/2006
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