Any student who has reason to question the accuracy of a final course grade should request in writing a grade review with the instructor, stating the grounds upon which the review is being sought. The student must request a review of the grade no later than 10 business days after the beginning of fall semester for summer courses or spring semester for fall courses, and no later than 10 business days after final grades are due for spring semester courses. The instructor reports to the student and department chair, in writing, the result of the grade review (whether the grade is changed or not), ordinarily no later than 10 business days after the receipt of the student's request. The report must include an explanation of the reasoning behind the result. (If the instructor is the department chair, the report is submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.)

If a grade change is made by the instructor, the instructor states the reason for the grade change on the Change of Grade Form and submits the Change of Grade Form, along with a copy of the student’s written request, to the department chair for approval. (If the instructor is the department chair, the materials are submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.)

In reviewing a grade change, if the department chair is satisfied that established procedures were followed and that the grade was not changed in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for inappropriate reasons, the chair communicates this in writing to the faculty member and the student and submits the Change of Grade Form to the Registrar. If, however, the chair is not satisfied that established procedures were followed or believes the grade was changed in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for other inappropriate reasons, the chair communicates this in writing to the faculty member and the student and no change of grade occurs. In the case where the chair does not have confidence in the grade or adherence to the procedures, see the paragraph on considering a grade appeal below.

If the instructor does not change a grade, and the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s grade review, the student may file a grade appeal. This student grade appeal must include an explanation of why the student thinks the result of the faculty review of the grade is in error. The grade appeal must be submitted in writing to the department chair no later than 10 business days after the instructor submits the written grade review to the student and department chair. (If the department chair is also the instructor, a senior member of the department chosen by the Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the grade appeal.) No grades may be appealed after a student graduates.

In considering a grade appeal, the department chair should ensure that established procedures were followed and that the grade was not determined in an arbitrary or capricious manner or for inappropriate reasons. The chair should confer with the student and the instructor, individually. Other parties, including parents or attorneys are not permitted to attend the grade appeal conference. The chair should report the result of this review, in writing, to the instructor, the student, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, ordinarily no later than 10 business days after receiving the appeal. This report must include an explanation for the reasoning behind the decision. If the chair determines that established procedures were not followed or that a grade was given in an arbitrary or capricious manner or based on inappropriate reasons, the chair fills out a Change of Grade Form and submits it to the Records Office.

If either the student or the instructor is not satisfied with the outcome of the department chair’s review of a change of grade or of a grade appeal, the student and/or the instructor may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs by submitting all pertinent documents for further review. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is expected to review the record and confer with the chair and the student and instructor. Other parties, including parents and attorneys, are not permitted to attend this conference.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs reports the outcome of the grade appeal review to the instructor, student, chair, and the Registrar, normally no later than 10 business days after receiving the information from the department chair. The Vice President for Academic Affair’s review of all grade changes and grade appeals is final.

If a dismissal involves a grade appeal, then both the appeal of the dismissal and the grade appeal must be filed no later than 30 days after the close of the semester. Students are allowed to remain enrolled in current courses while appealing grades that will result in dismissal; however, they will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters until the appeal is resolved. Students already registered for the next semester will be removed from enrollment if, when the appeal is resolved, the dismissal stands. Students who have been academically dismissed and who are in the process of a grade appeal may not register for future semesters until the appeal is resolved.