Grade Appeal

Students should review their grades for accuracy at the end of each semester. If a student feels there is an error, he or she should contact the course instructor no later than the end of the second week of the following semester, or one week prior to the beginning of the next semester if the course is a prerequisite. If an incorrect grade was recorded, the instructor must complete a Grade Change Request form and submit the completed form to the Registrar‘s Office. If a student is unable to contact the instructor, or if there is no resolution, the student should discuss the grade with the program chair. If conversation with the program chair does not satisfactorily resolve the matter, the student should follow the procedure for grade appeals:

1. The student will submit a formal letter of appeal to the Dean of the appropriate department stating the exact nature of the appeal.
2. Upon receiving the appeal, the Dean will review the appeal to ensure that its receipt was within the required timeline. He or she will then notify the instructor that an appeal has been made and request that course information and grade documentation be provided for evaluation by the Academic Appeals Committee. Membership of this committee shall include the following:
   1. Dean of the division (or designee), who is a non-voting member
   2. A student affairs representative appointed by the Executive Director of Student Affairs
   3. A faculty member from an academic division not involved in the appeal; this representative is appointed by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
   4. A faculty member from the division involved in the appeal; the instructor whose grade is being reviewed cannot serve on this committee
   5. An SGA Officer (of a different program than the appeal) appointed by the Executive Director of Student Affairs
   6. A student from the division involved in the appeal
3. The Academic Appeals Committee will meet within two weeks of receiving the appeal to review the student’s appeal letter and the instructor’s course syllabus, grade book, student’s assignments and assessments, criteria used for determining grades, and other relevant documentation.
4. The committee makes a decision as to the disposition of the appeal. A formal vote will be taken to determine the outcome of the appeal and issue a decision by at least a majority vote. If the decision of the committee is to change the grade, only the faculty members and the Dean whose division is involved will decide what that change will be. The Academic Appeals Committee will then complete the Grade Change Request form and submit it to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for processing.
5. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs will notify the student and instructor in writing as to the disposition of the appeal within five working days of the committee’s decision.
6. Further appeal, if desired by either party, will be presented to the Chancellor.
7. Decisions of the Chancellor are final.
8. The Registrar and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs will maintain all documentation regarding the appeal.