Final Course Grade Dispute

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Final Course Grade Dispute Policy

The purpose of the grade dispute policy is to ensure due process for a student wishing to dispute the final course grade that has been assigned to them as appearing on their official transcript. This policy is to be used only for final grades.  Students should meet with instructors within one week (or the time frame indicated on the syllabus) for grades on individual assignments.  Grade disputes may be initiated if a student suspects “inappropriate criteria were used to determine the grade or that the instructor did not adhere to stated procedures or grading standards” (AAUP). Students may progress to subsequent semester classes while the a final grade dispute is in progress. Should the resolution result in an upheld non-passing grade, the student will be administratively dropped from any course(s) for which the disputed grade was a prerequisite and receive a full refund for tuition for the course(s) from which they are dropped.  The dropped courses will also not be transcripted.  Academic Deans will advise students on any additional progression issues related to a upheld non-passing grade.  

Final Course Grade Dispute Procedure

General Guidelines for Final Grade Dispute Resolution:

  • At no point in this process will a decision be made by an administrator
  • All Records from the grade dispute process will reside in the student's educational record
  • At all times parties will comply with FERPA and the college’s Non-Discrimination policy throughout a Final Course Grade Dispute Procedure.  
  • At no time will any party face retaliation as a result of their participation in a Final Course Grade Dispute Procedure
  • All Course Grade Dispute Procedure proceedings will be kept confidential by those involved in that step of the process

Steps

  1. The student will send a written request to the faculty member who assigned the disputed grade.  The request should include the rationale for the grade dispute as well as any evidence the student would like to provide.  If the faculty member is unable to respond to the student within 5 business days of receiving the initial contact the student may move directly to Step 3 by forwarding their written request to the student's program.  If the faculty member overseeing the course is not a member of that department, the Academic Dean will collaborate with the faculty member's Academic Dean throughout the process.  Responsible Party: Student, Timeline: Within 5 business days after posting of final grades for the semester in which the grade was assigned.
  2. Upon receipt of a grade dispute written request, the faculty will schedule a meeting with the student.  The faculty and student will meet for a conversation to discuss the written request regarding the disputed grade. The faculty will inform the division Dean of this conversation no matter the outcome.  Responsible Party: Faculty, Timeline: Within 5 business days of receiving the written request from the student.
  3. If the student deems the outcome of Step 2 as unsatisfactory, the student will inform the faculty and appropriate Academic Dean that the conversation with the faculty did not resolve the dispute and request a meeting with the Dean. Students may bring their academic advisor as a support person. If the advisor is involved in the dispute, the registrar or assistant registrar may serve instead. Support persons may not participate in the process; students must present their concerns themselves.  Responsible Party:  Student, Timeline:  Within 5 business days of the conclusion of Step 2
  4. The Dean will schedule individual meetings with the student faculty to provide mediation and input. The faculty will provide a decision regarding the grade appeal within 3 business days of meeting with the Dean.  Responsible Party: Dean, Timeline: Within 5 business days of receiving the student's request pending schedule availability of the Dean and faculty.
  5. If the student deems the outcome of Step 4 unsatisfactory, the student will inform the Dean that the mediation did not resolve the dispute and request a meeting with the Provost in writing by forwarding their initial written request to the Provost as well as any additional information they would like to share.  Responsible Party: Dean, Timeline: Within 5 business days of the conclusion of Step 4.
  6. The Provost will convene a grade dispute committee (GDC) consisting of 3 faculty members from the same or closely related division as the faculty with whom the dispute was initiated.  Responsible Party: Provost, Timeline: Within 5 business days of meeting with the student pending faculty availability.
  7. The GDC will hold a formal hearing that includes the student, faculty, and GDC members.  Students and faculty will be informed that during the hearing each will have a chance to present to the committee, and that the committee may ask questions of either party.  In addition, the GDC may request input from an external individual with subject-matter expertise as needed using anonymized student work if needed.  Responsible Party: GDC, Timeline: See Step 6
  8. The GDC will communicate the results of the hearing to the Provost within 5 business days of the hearing.  A majority vote will determine the outcome of the hearing. Responsible Party: GDC, Timeline: Within 5 business days of the hearing
  9. The Provost will communicate the results of the hearing to the student, Dean, Registrar, and faculty member. Once a student has appealed their final grade dispute to a GDC, the decision of the hearing is final and ineligible for further dispute or grievance processes. Responsible Party: Provost, Timeline: Within 5 business days of receiving a decision from the GDC