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
Filing a Grade Appeal and Grade Appeal Challenge (Steps Outlined)
As previously noted, Grade Appeals deal with Final Grades, not individual grades unless the challenge deals with an individual grade had enough weigh to ultimately cause the student to fail the course (i.e., Final Exam, Project). Before any Grade Appeal can be formally filed at the college, the student MUST be on record of first addressing the matter directly with the faculty member (who issued the grade) and the Department Chairs as well as the Associate or Assistant Dean. In doing so, the student must point out the standard of error (i.e., calculation error, exception area was violated and caused the grade to drop at least one letter grade, error in applying weighted totals to calculate final grade, capricious grading, etc..) made in awarding of the final grade.
Step 1: Faculty (Level 1) :
Step 1 is quite simple. Speak directly to the faculty member about the final grade issued and demonstrate your evidence (i.e., syllabus, calculator output) that the grade was improperly calculated and caused you academic injury. Ask instructor to demonstrate (in writing to you) how the grade was calculated to clear up any questions about your final grade. Please keep in mind that individual grades cannot be disputed once grades have been formally issued. Individual assignment grades MUST be disputed at the time they are issued during the class (as outlined in this manual — See Grade Disputes . Students cannot argue individual assignments during a final grade challenge unless the individual assignment occurred at the end of the course (i.e., Final Exam, Final Project) which left the student little time to dispute the grade or if the individual grade (in question) falls under the Exceptions category outlined within this section of the handbook. If in disagreement with the decision reached by the instructor or if the instructor is no longer employed at the College, move to Step 2. NOTE: A Grade Dispute cannot be lodged over disputes about make-up work provisions. In other words, instructors have the autonomy to make up their own decisions about allowing or not allowing students make-up work (in cases of absenteeism). Students, then, cannot compel a faculty member to allow for make-up, for there is no such thing as an excused absence. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and submit work on time. Anything outside the parameter (submitting work) on time is beyond the parameters of the student. If a student is hospitalized or undergoes a major life changing event (death of an immediate family member
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