Grade Appeal Procedure
If a student considers a final grade to be inaccurate or based on an unfair application of course policies, he or she should ask the professor to review the course grade within thirty (30) days of the end of the semester in which the grade was awarded. If the professor determines that a grade change is justified, the professor will submit a request using a standard form to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA) for approval. If the change is approved, the new grade will be reported to the Registrar. Requests for a grade change must be based on the student’s belief that the final grade was inaccurate or based on an unfair application of course policies. Requests for the purpose of avoiding academic probation, suspension, or dismissal, or to preserve eligibility for financial aid, graduation, scholarships, or academic honors will not be considered.
If after requesting a grade change, students wish to appeal the professor’s decision, they may submit a request for a review to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (or designee). As part of this review, students must submit a written appeal to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (or designee) within the first four (4) weeks of the semester following the semester in which the grade was received. Using the syllabus and the relevant material submitted for the course, the appeal must show evidence that the grade in question is inaccurate or that course policies have been unfairly applied. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (or designee) will then conduct an investigation, speak with the student and professor, and attempt to resolve the dispute. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (or designee) will render a decision in writing to the student within ten (10) business days of receiving the student’s written appeal. Failing a resolution made by the designee at this level, the student may, within ten (10) business days of receiving the designee’s letter, appeal the decision to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs makes the final decision. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the VPAA will send a written decision to the student within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the student’s appeal letter