This Policy shall apply to grade appeals unrelated to issues pertaining to the Code of Student 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.
A. If a student is dissatisfied with his or her grade, the student must first meet with the instructor who assigned the grade and request that the instructor review the basis for the grade. 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 disagreement about the grade is resolved in this discussion, grade change action, where needed, must originate through the instructor. If the instructor is no longer employed at the College, the student may proceed to step two.
B. If the student is still dissatisfied with the instructor’s determination, the student may present his/her case in writing to the appropriate Dean or Program Head. The Dean/Program Head will make a written determination and provide it to the student.
C. If the student remains dissatisfied, a final review may be made by the Vice President of Instruction, in consultation with the Vice President of Student Services and/or all individuals involved. If the grade is declared invalid and set aside, the student may be given a comprehensive examination by the department involved to establish a grade.
The right to contest a grade expires at the end of the term following the one in which the grade was assigned. The time limit will be waived only in unusual circumstances.
Adopted: January 8, 2020