Procedure for Appealing a Course Grade

X25G

To begin an appeal the student must first set up a meeting with the professor to discuss the situation within the timeframe outlined above. Because it is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate that the appeal has merit, the student should bring to this meeting any work from the course the student has in his/her possession for the professor to review. At the meeting the professor will:

1. Review any work that the student brings to discuss
2. Show the student any of the student’s work that remains in the professor’s possession (e.g., papers, final examinations and projects)
3. Explain how the student’s grade was determined based on the standards set forth at the beginning of the class and listed in the course syllabus
4. Re-calculate the numerical computation of the grade, if any, to determine if there has been a clerical error

If the student wishes to continue the appeal following this meeting, he or she must file a written appeal with the professor’s Department Chair by the end of the fourth week of the semester, or by April 15^th in the case of the appeal of a winter term grade. If the Department Chair is the professor involved, the Dean of the college or school will assume the role of Department Chair in the process below. The student will submit to the Department Chair the “Student Grade Appeal Statement”  form together with copies of the course syllabus, tests, assignments, and papers in the student’s possession. The Department Chair will notify the professor involved, and the professor will file the “Professor Grade Appeal Statement”   form with the Department Chair by the end of the fifth week of the semester, or by April 22^nd for winter term grades, together with copies of the syllabus, assignments, and any of the student’s work that remains in the professor’s possession. The Department Chair, following consultation with the related Dean or Deans, will render a decision in writing regarding the grade appeal by the end of the sixth week of the semester, or by April 29^th in the case of an appeal for a winter term grade.

If the student wishes to appeal the Chair’s decision to the final hearing body, he or she must put that request in writing to the Dean within one week. The Dean, or his/her designee, will notify the chairperson of Academic Council to form a Grade Appeal Hearing Committee and forward all documentation to the Chair of the Academic Council. The committee should meet no later than the end of the eighth week of the semester, or by May 13^th for a winter term grade appeal. The Grade Appeal Hearing Committee will consist of:

• Three members of Academic Council appointed by the Chair of Academic Council
• One faculty member appointed by the Dean of the department/division involved
• One Student Government Association representative appointed by the Student Government Executive President (In the case that the involved student is the student government president, the vice-president shall appoint the student representative.)

The chairperson of the Grade Appeal Hearing Committee will be chosen by the Chair of Academic Council from the three Academic Council members serving on the committee.