S t u d e n t H a n d b o o k: C o m p l a i n t s , G r i e v a n c e s , G r a d e A p p e a l s & C o d e o f C o n d u c t
right to assign a grade based on any method that is professionally acceptable and equally applied to all students. • All syllabi must outline how grades will be calculated and all instructors must follow what is outlined in the syllabus in terms the final calculation of grades. • Attempting to challenge a grade based on what occurred in a different class is not grounds for a grade appeal. • Grade appeals must occur within a reasonable time frame, no more than one semester beyond when the grade was issued. Instructors have the responsibility to provide careful evaluation and timely assigning of appropriate grades. Course and project grading methods should be explained to students at the beginning of the term. Lawson State presumes that the judgment of the instructor of record is authoritative, and the final grades assigned are correct and should be respected by all parties. A grade appeal shall be confined to charges of unfair action toward an individual student and may not involve a challenge of an instructor’s grading standard . A student has a right to expect thoughtful and clearly defined approaches to course and project grading, but it must be recognized that varied standards and individual approaches to teaching and grading are valid and permissible and the faculty member has the academic freedom to approach his/her course based on their own professional expertise and judgment. The grade appeal considers whether a grade was determined in a fair and appropriate manner; it does not attempt to grade or re-grade individual assignments or projects (within a course). Rather, it is incumbent on the student to substantiate the claim that his or her final grade represents unfair treatment, compared to the standard applied to other students. Only the final grade in a course or project may be appealed, not individual assignments. Thus, in the absence of compelling reasons, such as clerical error, prejudice, or capriciousness, the grade assigned by the instructor of record is to be considered final. In a grade appeal, only arbitrariness, prejudice, and/or error will be considered as legitimate grounds for an appeal. Arbitrariness: The grade awarded represents such a substantial departure from accepted academic norms as to demonstrate that the instructor did not actually exercise sound professional judgment in administering the grade. Prejudice: The grade awarded was motivated by ill will, and is not indicative of the student’s academic performance.
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