III. Procedure

Informal Grade Appeal Process:

Every reasonable effort should be made to resolve the matter at the informal level.

Step 1 - Consultation with the faculty member:

The student should first request a meeting with the instructor to explain why he/she considers the grade to be incorrect. If the instructor is not available, the student should contact the program coordinator/director or dean to schedule an appointment with the instructor. This meeting must occur within the first two weeks of the next semester. The instructor should document the result of the meeting and maintain this record in the event the appeal proceeds further.

Step 2 - Consultation with the program coordinator/director:

If the student and the instructor fail to reach a mutual agreement, the student may submit a written appeal to the program coordinator/director of the area within five (5) business days. The coordinator/director should document the result of the meeting and maintain this record in the event the appeal proceeds further.

Step 3 - Consultation with the dean:

If the student and program coordinator/director fail to reach a mutual agreement, the student may submit a written appeal to the dean within five (5) business days. The dean should document the result of the meeting and maintain this record in the event the appeal proceeds further.

Formal Grade Appeal Process:

If the dispute over the course grade cannot be resolved through the informal process outlined above, the student may submit a Grade Appeal Form, available from Student Services, to the president within five (5) business days of the consultation with the dean.

Step 4 - Appeal to the president:

1. Once the formal grade appeal is received, the president will appoint a grade appeal committee to hear the appeal within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the appeal.
2. The grade appeal committee will be chaired by the president, or a designee, who will be a non-voting member except in the case of a tie. Voting members will consist of four (4) faculty members not associated with the appeal, one (1) student representative with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater, and the vice president of instruction.
3. The grade appeal hearing will be conducted in closed session in accordance with the Open Meetings Law unless otherwise requested in writing by the student. Neither the college nor the student will be permitted to have legal representation during the grade appeal hearing.
4. The committee will be made up of members from the campus of attendance to assure a fair and equitable hearing.
5. The committee will hear all parties involved and render a written decision that is considered to be fair and educationally sound within ten (10) business days. The decision of the committee will be the final binding decision for the institution.