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
Complaint Process: Lawson State has a two-tiered Complaint Process. The first, initial stage, called the Informal Complaint Process, moves a complaint through the proper chain- of- command up to the Dean’s level. In the end, the Dean issues a final resolution (called a Dean’s Resolution) to formally close and address the complaint. Typically, the majority of complaints end on this level. The second tier, called the Formal Complaint Process, only comes into play when a student is dissatisfied with the Dean’s Resolution issued. I n such cases, the student can file an official grievance. Afterwards, the complaint is then taken to Committee and reviewed and another resolution is then issued. External Agency (Social Networking/Public Display) Complaints: Students are strongly discouraged and cautioned against using Social Networking sites to discuss school-related issues or concerns or to personally vent or attack another student or LSCC personnel member, opposed to following Lawson State’s proscribed Informal and Formal Complaint Process. Please note that issuing false claims via a Social Networking site (i.e., Facebook, blogs, websites, and even email) could potentially make the student subject to legal jeopardy (slander) if the accusations shared proved false or proved to be written with malicious intent to cause harm to the institution’s reputation or person’s reputation. Thus, students are encouraged to issue formal complaints if they would like their complaint addressed and tracked by the College. Formal Complaint Process: The Formal Complaint Process is the second tier of the overall complaint process as LSCC. It only comes into play when a student is dissatisfied with the Dean’s Resolution issued (See Informal Complaint Process). In such cases, the student can file an official grievance. Afterwards, the complaint is then taken to Committee and reviewed and another resolution is then issued. Grade Appeal : The purpose of the Grade Appeal Process is to provide students with a safeguard against receiving an unfair final grade (based on a calculation error; a misrepresentation of the grading scale; incorrect application of the grading scale; or other error which academically injured the student), while respecting the academic responsibility of the instructor. Grade Appeals cannot be filed unless the student provides evidence of the error. The Vice President for Instructional Services has the final say on all grade appeals.
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. Error: The instructor made a calculation error in fact or application of points awarded or the weighting of final grades (as outlined in the syllabus)
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