Final Grade Appeals

Final Grade Appeal Procedure

The purpose of the Final Grade Appeal process is to provide students with a process to appeal their Final Grade. The Final Grade Appeal process should be used only when the student believes that the final course grade assigned is incorrect.  A Final Grade Appeal is not applicable if one of the following applies:

• Challenging a grade on an individual assignment unless it directly affects the final letter grade

• The student disagrees with the faculty grading

• A grade penalty was assigned due to an Academic Integrity violation

Note: Grade appeals or other complaints based on charges of discrimination or sexual harassment should be submitted to a Title IX Coordinator or other office, pursuant to other University policies and procedures.

The Final Grade Appeal Process Consists of an Initial Appeal and a Second Appeal, if necessary

Initial Appeal: Student completes Initial Final Grade Appeal form

• Form is due no later than 11:59 pm EST on the five (5th) business day after final grades are due per the Academic Calendar or after an incomplete deadline 
• Form is routed to the instructor of the class in which the grade is being appealed. 
  • Instructor and student discuss the grade
    • Discussions may be in writing, on the phone, virtual meeting, or in person but a summary of conversation must be added to the form
    • The student has the right to suggest a preferred method for the discussion but it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor should a meeting be preferred
• After the discussion, the Instructor will note his or her decision and rationale on the Initial Final Grade Appeal form and this information will be communicated to the student within five (5) business days of the instructor receiving the appeal. 

Second Appeal: Committee Review 

If the initial appeal is denied, the student may submit a Second Appeal to be reviewed by a committee.  The burden of proof rests on the student to demonstrate that one or more of the following occurred:

• An error was made in calculating the grade.
• The grade has been assigned on the basis of something other than performance in the course.
• The grade is based upon standards that are significant, unannounced, and unreasonable departures from those articulated in the course description, syllabus, rubric, or any official course documents

To begin the Second Appeal student submits the Second Final Grade Appeal form

• Form is due no later than 11:59 pm EST on the fifth (5th) business day after the date recorded on instructors decision in the Initial Appeal
• All submissions must include the decision sheet from the initial appeal
• The Director of Academic Operations will establish a review committee made up of :
  • Instructor not associated with the student
  • Instructors Department Chair
  • A Department Chair not associated with the student

The Second Appeal committee will review and vote to determine if the appeal meets all the criteria for a hearing to be held. The Second Appeal committee will notify the student and instructor of their decision, including rationale. The decision of the Second Appeal committee is final.

If the Second Final Grade Appeal is approved for a hearing the Final Grade Appeal (FGA) committee will be notified. The FGA is a standing committee made up of

• A staff member from compliance or other department able to represent process compliance for the university
• Associate Dean or Dean from the college of the course being appealed
• Student who has no association with the student who is appealing

The student who is appealing can elect to present their case virtually, in-person, or in writing to the FGA committee.  If a virtual or in-person meeting is selected the committee will set a specific date and time.  The meeting will be recorded or documented, as appropriate, and made part of the final grade appeal record. If the student does not attend the process will continue without his/her presence. The student may bring one advocate (who will have no speaking role) if a meeting is selected.  

The instructor will be invited to present, separately from the student, virtually, in-person, or in writing to the FGA committee by a due date or on a specific date and time. The FGA committee will note their decision and rationale on the Second Appeal form and this information will be communicated to the student and instructor within five (5) business days of the committee meeting. The decision of the  FGA committee is final. Director of Academic Operations facilitates the decision of the FGC and consults with all applicable departments.