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Students who wish to dispute a grade received on a test, essay, homework, performance, computer program project, etc. may do so informally by discussing the matter with the instructor who issued the grade. However, the instructor’s decision, except as outlined below, is final and may not be further appealed.

Final grade dispute

When a student believes that the final grade he or she has received in a course is inaccurate or unjustified the following procedures may be used to dispute the grade.

1. Within 30 college days from the end of the semester, the student shall contact the faculty who issued the final grade and discuss the grade in question. If the student is unable to contact the faculty member, he or she may seek assistance through the Associate Dean.
2. If the student and instructor are not able to resolve the dispute and the student wishes to pursue the matter, he or she shall contact the Associate Dean within 10 college days of the date of the faculty member's decision. The Associate Dean, or designee, will work to attempt a resolution.
3. If the Associate Dean cannot resolve the matter the student has 10 collegedays from the date of the Associate Dean’s decision to make an appeal in writing to the Dean. The Dean will meet individually with the student and the faculty member, or may choose to meet with them together in an attempt to resolve the grade. The Dean will put in writing to the student his/her decision.
4. If the grade is not resolved at the division office level, the student may make a written request to the Vice President of Learning & Student Services, or designee, for an Academic Appeals Board hearing within 10 college days of the written decision of the Dean. If the request is not filed within the prescribed time, the student forfeits the right to any further appeal. The letter requesting a hearing must include the student’s reasons for disputing the final grade.
5. The Vice President of Learning & Student Services may decline to refer a matter to the Academic Appeals Board due to insufficient cause to proceed; may consult directly with the affected parties to reach an appropriate resolution without a hearing, or may refer the matter to committee for consideration and a decision.
6. The Academic Appeals Board will be scheduled when appropriate by the Office of the Vice President of Learning & Student Services, or designee, within 10 college days after receiving the written request for hearing. The student, instructor, Associate Dean or the Dean may request that the time may be extended for justifiable reasons (e.g., summer schedules and faculty availability) or extenuating circumstances. The student, the instructor, the Associate Dean, and the Dean will be notified in writing in such circumstances. All persons involved in the hearing will be notified in writing by certified mail or personal delivery of hearing time, date, and location. The Vice President of Learning & Student Services is responsible for these notifications.
7. In order to have a decision reviewed for an appeal, the student must be able to provide, in writing, justification as to why at least one of the following criteria are met:
   • Evidence did not warrant a finding of responsibility.
   • Hearing was not fair or the process outlined in the Code was not followed.
   • Sanction is not appropriate for the violation.

Academic Appeals Board

1. The Academic Appeals Board shall be established to hear appeals initiated by a student to contest a final course grade received by the student.
2. The Academic Appeals Board Membership shall include:
   1. The Vice President of Learning & Student Services, or designee, who will serve as the chairperson.
   2. Two (2) academic administrators.
   3. Three (3) faculty from divisions other than the one the student is in.
3. The student and instructor(s) may each have one person of their choosing present during this hearing for support, but this support person will not be permitted to speak for, or otherwise act as an advocate for the student or instructor. The Dean and Associate Dean will be present to discuss their role and findings.
4. After hearing all information, all participants, except Board members will be asked to leave the room. The Board will then deliberate in private. The Academic Appeals Board shall, by majority vote, make a recommendation to the Vice President of Learning & Student Services.
5. After receipt of the recommendation of the Academic Appeals Board and within ten (10) college days, the Vice President of Learning & Student Services shall render a written decision and furnish copies of the decision to the student, Dean, Associate Dean, faculty and to the Director of Student Development.
6. The decision of the Vice President of Learning & Student Services is final.

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