303.6    GRADE APPEALS AND OTHER COURSE REQUIREMENT DECISIONS

 

1.         Students may appeal a grade or other decision pertinent to completion of course requirements through administrative procedures.  These procedures will be determined by the College President after consultation with faculty and administrators.

 

            2.         Students may appeal a grade or other decision affecting completion of course requirements as follows:

 

            A.         Students must represent themselves in the appeal process, i.e., third parties will not be permitted to represent students.

 

                        B.         Potential intervention by third parties or examination of educational records is subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended.  Questions or clarification regarding educational records should be directed to Admissions and Records.

 

                        C.         Students must first appeal through informal procedures as noted in the Student Handbook before initiating formal procedures.  Formal procedures may be initiated only for the final course grade awarded in a course (see section 4 C).

 

            3.         Timelines for Appeal

                        Students who fail to initiate an appeal within the timelines defined below forfeit their right to appeal:

 

                        A.         Non-final course grades and other decisions within 20 business days from the date the grade was assigned or other decision made, or 20 business days from the date the student learned of the assigned grade or decision.

 

                        B.         Final course grades within 4 months following course completion.

 

            4.         Methods for Appeal

 

A.                  Appeal customarily begins (and often ends) with a discussion between the student and the instructor, leading to a mutually satisfactory understanding.  If such understanding is not reached, the student may then appeal to the responsible Extension Site Coordinator, Department Chair, or appropriate Dean.

 

B.                  The responsible Extension Site Coordinator, Department Chair, or appropriate Dean will meet with the student and the instructor and make a reasonable attempt to mediate a mutually satisfactory understanding.

 

C.                  If such understanding is not reached, the student may then contact the Registrar’s office within an additional 20 business days and begin the formal process for appeal to the Student Academic Appeals Committee.

 

D.                  The Registrar will be responsible to contact the members of the Student Academic Appeals Committee and set up a hearing.

 

E.                  The membership of the Student Academic Appeals Committee will consist of 3 students, 3 faculty and 3 non-academic College staff, including the Registrar.  Their goal will be to determine the most appropriate action to be taken when students appeal a grade.  In order to best accomplish this, the committee will adhere to the following guidelines:

 

1.                   No member of the Student Academic Appeals Committee who has a personal interest in the particular case will be permitted to sit in judgment during the proceedings.

2.                   The Student Academic Appeals Committee shall allow an initial presentation by the student and then by the instructor involved (if necessary), after which it may call such other witnesses as it deems necessary.

3.                   The Student and instructor will be given every reasonable opportunity to present their case.

4.                   Both the student and the instructor shall have the right to be present during the presentation of any testimony before the Student Academic Appeals Committee.

5.                   Student Academic Appeals Committee hearings shall be closed to all but the parties involved.

6.                   The burden of proof shall be on the student.

7.                   The Student Academic Appeals Committee’s final decision in any particular case must be based solely upon testimony and other evidence given to the Student Academic Appeals Committee in that case.

 

5.                   Student Responsibility

 

The student can obtain a Grade Appeal Form from the Registrar’s office.  For the

purpose of the hearing, the student must provide written information regarding:       

                       

A.                  The nature of the appeal, specifying the grade, relevant conditions about the issue, and any descriptive evidence of major significance.

B.                  The reasons for the appeal, including any evidence, which supports the student’s belief that the grade was unfairly or incorrectly assigned, unsubstantiated by evidence, inaccurate, or otherwise unreasonable.

C.                  A solution acceptable to the student.

D.                  A completed Grade Appeal Form, attached to the documentation.

 

6.                   College Responsibilities

 

A.                  The Registrar will inform the student of the hearing with reasonable notice.

 

B.                  After the hearing, the Student Academic Appeals Committee will render a recommendation to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, which may confirm or alter the final course grade.

 

C.                  The Vice President of Academic Affairs will render a decision based upon the recommendation of the Student Academic Appeals Committee.  That decision is considered final and will be communicated to the student in writing via certified mail within five days of the decision.  The Registrar and the instructor will receive a copy of the letter as will the Student Academic Appeals Committee.

 

D.                  All pertinent documentation shall become part of the student’s permanent file.