Student Grievance Procedure for Final Course Grades

Effective 1/1/2012

Student Grievance Procedure for Final Course Grades

Students who believe they have received a final course grade that has been awarded improperly or in an arbitrary or capricious manner may grieve or appeal the grade by referring to the following process.

(1)  The student should first discuss the grade, including the reason the student feels the grade has been awarded improperly or in an arbitrary or capricious manner, with the course instructor.  Most misunderstandings related to final course grades can be resolved at this level.  This must occur no later than ten instructional days after the beginning of the academic quarter following the quarter for which the grade was assigned.  For this purpose, fall quarter is considered to be the academic quarter following both summer and spring quarters.

(2)  If the issue is not resolved with the instructor, or the instructor is not available, the student should discuss the grade with the chair of the department through which the course was offered.  This must occur no later than fifteen instructional days after the beginning of the academic quarter following the quarter for which the grade was assigned.  For this purpose, fall quarter is considered to be the academic quarter following both summer and spring quarters.  If the department chair is unavailable or the issue is not resolved with the department chair, the student may choose to go through the final course grade grievance process.

Final course grade grievance process.

 (1)  To initiate the final course grade grievance process, the student must present a written grade grievance to the dean or manager of the division through which the course was offered, or his or her designee.

(2)  This must occur no later than twenty instructional days after the beginning of the academic quarter following the quarter for which the grade was assigned.  For this purpose, fall quarter is considered to be the academic quarter following both summer and spring quarters.

(3)  The grievance should clearly explain why the student feels the grade has been improperly or arbitrarily or capriciously awarded, the issues upon which the grievance is based, what the student has done to resolve these issues, and what remedy the student is seeking.

(4)  All documentation relevant to the student’s case, including course syllabus, should be attached to the written grievance.

(5) The dean or manager of the division will investigate the grade grievance and meet with the student and faculty member to discuss the grade no later than ten instructional days after receiving the written grievance.  The division manager will make an official determination regarding the grievance and notify the student and faculty involved in writing no later than five instructional days after meeting with the student.  Findings of fact will be included when informing the student and faculty involved.

Final course grade grievance appeal process.

 (1)  The outcome of the final course grade grievance process may be appealed to the chief academic officer, or his or her designee, by any party to the grievance no later than five instructional days following notification after the division dean or manager’s determination.  Such an appeal must be in writing and clearly set forth the reason for the appeal.

(2)  Upon receiving the appeal, the chief academic officer, or his or her designee, will review the original grievance and determination, any evidence submitted in connection with the original grievance, and the appeal.  Evidence not presented in the original grievance will not be considered in the appeal process unless exceptional circumstances are shown by the college.

(3)  The chief academic officer, or his or her designee, will respond to the appeal in one of two ways:

(a)  Making a final decision.

(i) The chief academic officer, or his or her designee, will provide a decision in writing to all parties of the grievance within ten instructional days following receipt of the appeal.

(ii) The decision of the chief academic officer, or his or her designee, is final and is not subject to further appeal.

(b)  Convening a hearing committee to consider the appeal.

(i) The chief academic officer, or his or her designee, will convene a hearing committee to consider the appeal within ten instructional days of receiving the appeal.

(ii) The committee will consist of the following members:  Two student representatives, chosen by the president of the associated student body; two faculty representatives, appointed by the chief academic officer; and one instructional administrator, appointed by the chief academic officer.

(iii) The committee may meet and deliberate if a quorum, defined as one person from each category identified above, is present.

(iv) No member of the hearing committee will have any previous knowledge of the grievance.

(v) The committee will elect its own chairperson for each case brought before it.

(vi) The committee will hear testimony and examine evidence regarding the grievance; deliberate; and decide the issue by majority vote.

(vii) The hearing committee will notify the student and faculty involved of its decision in writing within five instructional days of the hearing.  Findings of fact will be included when informing the student and faculty involved.

(viii) The decision of the hearing committee is final and is not subject to further appeal.