Appeals for Grade Changes Policy

Academic grading reflects careful and deliberate judgment of a faculty member instructing a course. Academic evaluation of student performance requires expert consideration of cumulative information. Such decision-making by its nature is judgmental and evaluative. The evaluative process is not and should not be likened to the adversarial process involved in disciplinary matters, for academic grade determination is unadaptable to the methods of judicial or administrative decision-making. The education process, moreover, is not by nature adversarial, but rather centers upon a continuing relationship between faculty and student. Administrative interposition, except in the most extreme instances, is to be avoided. The University recognizes that in rare instances there may be errors, or “palpable injustice(s)” in determination of a final grade. A student alleging such error or palpable injustice, i.e., a clear showing of arbitrary or capricious action, may appeal as provided below:

1. Initial Meeting with Instructor: A student who believes a grade involved an error or a palpable injustice shall first confer with the instructor who awarded the grade in the next regular semester no later than the first Monday of either October or March. Either the student or the faculty member may request that the initial meeting occur in the presence of the department chair. Should a student be unable to contact the instructor or not receive a decision within two weeks the student should make an appeal to the department chairperson.

2. Appeal to the Department Chairperson: If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 1, the student may next present the case, in writing, to the appropriate department chairperson, who may effect a settlement upon written agreement of the instructor. The student’s written appeal must be clear and complete. The department chairperson must provide the student and instructor a written decision within two weeks of receiving an appeal. If the chairperson upholds the instructor’s grade, and the student wishes to further pursue the appeal, the chairperson shall then forward the appeal (including a copy of the written decision) to the appropriate dean. If the chairperson finds that the appeal has merit, the chairperson shall then forward the appeal and written decision to the appropriate dean.

3. Appeal to the Dean: If the student is not satisfied with the decision made by the chairperson, further appeal by the student shall be to the dean of the school concerned. A grade change shall be made only with the written consent of the instructor and the department chairperson. The dean must provide the student, instructor, and chairperson with a written decision within one month of receiving an appeal. If the dean upholds the instructor’s grade, and the student wishes to further pursue the appeal, the dean shall then forward the appeal (including copies of the written decisions) to the Grade Appeals Review Board. If the dean finds that the appeal has merit, the dean shall then forward the appeal and written decision to the Grade Appeals Review Board.

4. Instructor Deceased or Cannot Be Contacted: If the instructor is deceased or cannot be contacted by the student and department chairperson in the next regular semester before either the first Monday of October or March the student may confer with the chairperson.

a.  Upon evidence of error, the chairperson may make the appropriate grade change after
     consultation with and approval of the dean of the school. The instructor shall be notified of
     the change if notice subsequently can be delivered. The chairperson shall make a
     determination and provide written notification to the student within one month of the appeal.

b.  Upon evidence of palpable injustice, the case shall be referred to the Grade Appeals Review
     Board for action as described in Step 6 below. Written notification of the decision shall be
     made to the student within one month of the appeal.

5. Appeal of Grade from Student’s Final Semester: When an appeal for grade change is made at the end of a student’s final semester, the student may appeal to the department chairperson. If the instructor cannot be contacted before the grade deadline for graduation and where there is evidence of error, the chairperson may make the appropriate grade change after consultation with and approval by the dean of the school. The instructor shall be notified of the change if notice subsequently can be delivered. If the chairperson finds evidence of a palpable injustice, the case shall be referred immediately to the appropriate dean. In consultation with the chair and instructor, the dean shall make every attempt to resolve the appeal before graduation. If the appeal cannot be resolved before graduation, the dean shall proceed according to Step 3 above. 

6. Grade Appeal Review Board: Any appeal after the completion of the steps above shall be made to the Grade Appeals Review Board, which functions under the aegis of the Academic Standards Committee. The appeal must be in written form, clear and complete, and provide a statement of justification for the grade sought. After receiving an appeal, the Grade Appeals Review Board may engage in a number of actions:

a.  Following an investigation, the Grade Appeals Review Board may deny the appeal, in which
    case the matter shall be closed.

b.  If the Grade Appeals Review Board makes a finding that the grading involved a palpable
     injustice, the case shall be remanded to the instructor and the dean of the instructor’s school
     for reconsideration. The instructor may make the appropriate change in the grade with the
     written agreement of the dean. If the instructor disagrees or if the instructor’s whereabouts
     are unknown, the Grade Appeals Review Board may recommend a change to the Vice
     President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President may make the appropriate grade change
     or issue a “W” (withdrawal). The instructor, the department chairperson, and the dean shall
     be notified in writing of such change.

c.  The Grade Appeals Review Board will endeavor to resolve all cases within the semester in
     which they are filed. When this is not possible, the chairperson of the Grade Appeals Review
     Board shall provide the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, as well as the
     student, with written notification.

d.  In no case shall a grade be lowered as a result of the appeal to the Grade Appeals Review
     Board.

7. The Student’s Rights and Responsibilities:

a.  Student’s shall receive timely notification during all steps of the appeals process.

b.  When appealing a grade, students must provide a full written account, attaching all
     corresponding documentation, in Step 2 above. Students will not have the opportunity to
     supplement an appeal once it has been filed.

8. Faculty and Administration’s Rights and Responsibilities:

a.  The Grade Appeals Review Board shall notify in writing faculty, chairpersons, and deans of
     any board actions and requests. 

b.  Faculty shall return all graded student work or retain it until the end of the following regular
    academic semester. In no case shall faculty discard the graded work of a student who has
    filed an appeal.

c.  Chairpersons and deans must meet required deadlines as outlined in the Appeals for Grade
    Change Policy. 

9. The Grade Appeals Review Board:

a.  The Grade Appeals Review Board shall be made up of five instructional faculty members,
     elected under procedures determined by the Faculty Senate. Members shall serve a term of
     two years. 

Originally Adopted by the Faculty Senate April 16, 1979
Revised by the Faculty Senate December 2, 2002