Appealing Grades Unrelated to Academic Misconduct

Students may appeal grades which the student believes have been assigned (a) arbitrarily or capriciously; (b) contrary to the criteria announced in the course; or (c) for constitutionally and/or legally impermissible reasons. A grade of Incomplete (I) may not be appealed. Such appeals shall be limited to a period of 90 calendar days from the date of awarding the grade(s) in question. Unless there are extenuating circumstances that may result in disruption of the class or put others at risk, the student is allowed to remain in class until such time as the appeal is heard.

The following procedures have been developed to provide an impartial arena for resolution of conflicts that cannot be resolved successfully between the primary parties involved.
1. The student first submits a written appeal to the faculty member within (90) calendar days from the date the disputed grade has been assigned.
2. The faculty member involved must provide a written response within ten (10) calendar days after receiving the student’s appeal.
If there is no resolution between the student and the faculty member...

The student is entitled to a meeting with the appropriate departmental Chairperson to hear the student’s appeal. Within ten (10) calendar days after receiving a response from the faculty member, the student must submit a written request for the meeting to the appropriate departmental Chairperson with a copy to the faculty member.
The Chairperson is obligated to respond to the student’s request and must schedule a meeting with the student within twenty (20) calendar days.
After the meeting, the Chairperson will send a written response to the student with a copy to the faculty member within ten (10) calendar days.

If there is no resolution between the student and the departmental Chairperson...

The student is entitled to a meeting with the appropriate College Dean. Within ten (10) calendar days after the Chairperson sends his or her response to the student, the student must send a written request for a meeting to the appropriate College Dean with copies to the faculty member and the Chairperson.
The College Dean is obligated to respond to the student’s request to schedule a meeting with the student within twenty (20) calendar days.
After the meeting, the College Dean will send a written response to the student with copies to the faculty member and the Chairperson within ten (10) calendar days.

If there is no resolution between the student and the College Dean....

The student may appeal to meet with the University Academic Appeals Committee. Within ten (10) calendar days after the College Dean sends his or her response to the student, the student must send a written request to the Vice President of Academic Affairs with copies to the faculty member, the departmental Chairperson, and the College Dean. Academic Affairs will refer the appeal to the Chairperson of the University Academic Appeals Committee within ten (10) calendar days.
The Chairperson of the University Academic Appeals Committee will send the date, time, location, and procedures of the hearing to the student, faculty member, Chairperson, and College Dean at least ten (10) calendar days in advance of the hearing. Once a hearing date is scheduled and communicated, it may not be rescheduled by any involved party unless there is a documented emergency. If either the student or the College epresentatives should fail to appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing may proceed in his or her absence. A hearing must be rescheduled if the Committee fails to reach quorum.
The University Academic Appeals Committee’s recommendation will be based on a majority vote by the Committee’s voting members. The Committee’s Chairperson will send the Committee’s recommendation to the Academic Vice President with copies to all parties involved within ten (10) calendar days following the hearing.
The decision of the Academic Vice President or designee will be forwarded to all involved parties in writing within twenty (20) calendar days of the hearing.
Within five (5) calendar days after the University Academic Appeals Committee’s decision is sent to the involved parties, any of the parties involved must deliver a written appeal to the University President. The President will provide a response within ten (10) calendar days to all involved parties. The decision of the President shall be final. No further appeals are allowed.

back to Academic Appeals

Student Update Form