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GRIEVANCES
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCES
From time to time students
may raise questions concerning academic decisions made by professors. These
questions may deal with grades, such as setting standards, evaluating student
progress, and reporting grades accurately, but they may also concern other
academic issues such as an instructor’s policies concerning absences, classroom
behavior, and other matters specified in an instructor’s syllabus. A professor
is expected to apply grading standards and other academic regulations equitably
and to carefully guard against errors in all of these academic matters. If a
student raises questions about a grade or another academic circumstance, the
instructor should respond constructively, explaining the situation as carefully
as possible and checking to be sure that no error has been made. Most questions
concerning grades and other academic matters can be resolved in this manner, but
when this is not possible, a student may appeal for further consideration by
following, in detail, the process outlined in the official University statement
below.
Although academic
administrators may from time to time advise with professors, individually or as
a group, regarding grading practices and other academic issues, the setting of
grading standards for a specific class is, in the final analysis, the
responsibility and prerogative of the instructor in that class. The
administration’s concern is limited primarily to assuring that student progress
is carefully evaluated, grades are accurately reported, and established grading
standards are applied fairly and equitably to all students in the class.
A student who believes that
the standards have not been equitably applied or that the instructor may have
made an error in calculating his/her grade or who has other questions regarding
his/her grade or other academic decisions has the right to full explanation and
clarification of such questions. This “Academic Grievance Procedure” has been
adopted by the University to ensure the student’s right to appeal for
reconsideration of such decisions. A student who wishes to appeal a grade or
other academic decision must comply specifically with the following policies and
procedures:
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Any appeal of a grade or other academic decision must be
initiated no later than 30 days after the final grade has been assigned. An
appeal to a higher level must be made within five class days following the
student’s receipt of a response from the previous level.
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The student must first confer with the professor in an
attempt to resolve the question before appealing to any administrator. When
a student raises such questions, the instructor should carefully explain
the basis for the decision and should allow the student to examine relevant
documents. This does not mean that the instructor must provide the student
with copies of tests, and he/she, of course, must not allow the
student to see documents relating specifically to other students. After the
instructor has explained the basis for the decision, the student may request
him/her to reconsider, in which case the instructor should reevaluate the
situation.
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If unable to reach a resolution through conference with the
instructor, the student may appeal to the instructor’s department
chairperson. The chairperson may request the instructor to provide, for
information purposes, a written statement regarding the basis of the grade
or decision and the result of the conference with the student and may also
request permission to examine relevant tests and other documents as
necessary. The department chairperson may find no basis for further
consideration or may request the instructor to review the situation in order
to be sure the student has been treated fairly and equitably. The
department chairperson should handle the appeal expeditiously and should
inform the student of his/her conclusions within five class days after
receiving the student’s request.
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If the matter is not resolved at the departmental level, the
student may appeal to the dean of the college in which the class is offered
(If the matter involves an online course and is a procedural rather than an
academic matter, the academic dean will confer with the online dean). The
student must present his/her grievance to the dean in writing,
specifying in detail the basis of the appeal. The dean may require
written statements from the instructor and/or department chairperson, as
well as copies of tests and other relevant documents relating to the student
in question and to other students in the class, which may assist in making a
determination that the instructor has applied grading standards equitably.
The dean may request the instructor to review the situation or may determine
that no basis has been established for further consideration. The dean will
inform the student of the decision, in writing, within 10 days after receipt
of the written grievance statement, with copies to the instructor and the
department chairperson.
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If the matter is not resolved by the dean’s action, the
student may appeal in writing to the Provost. The dean will forward to the
Provost copies of the student’s original grievance statement, the statement
of the dean’s decision, and all other documents considered. The Provost may
require the student, the instructor, the department chairperson, and/or the
dean to provide additional information as necessary. The Provost may
request the instructor to review the situation or may determine that no
basis has been established for further consideration. The Provost will
inform the student of the decision, in writing, within 15 class days after
receipt of the student’s written appeal, with copies to the instructor,
department chairperson, and dean.
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Final appeal for an academic grievance is to the President of
the University, who will follow essentially the same process as the Provost
after receiving the appeal in writing, requiring additional information as
he/she deems necessary. Again, the President may request the instructor to
review the situation or may dismiss the student’s complaint. The President
will inform the student of the decision, in writing, within 15 class days
after receipt of the student’s written appeal, with copies to the
instructor, department chairperson, dean, and Provost.
In considering the student’s
appeal, the President, Provost, dean, or department chairperson may find it
appropriate to talk with other students in the class or pursue other lines of
inquiry in order to have as much relevant information as possible. If so, such
inquiries should be handled with discretion and with care to protect the privacy
and the interests of both the student and the instructor.
If at any stage of the
appeal process the instructor is asked to reconsider a grade or other academic
decision, he/she should do so carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that the
student is treated fairly and equitably in all respects. The instructor has the
authority to change a grade with the approval of the appropriate academic
administrator. The University reserves the right to administratively change a
grade in cases including, but not limited to, incompetence, bad faith, fraud,
error, or similar infractions.
Students should also be
aware that although the University is concerned to ensure that students are
treated fairly and equitably in academic matters, it will not condone frivolous
or irresponsible allegations against faculty members.
ADMINISTRATIVE GRIEVANCES
From time to time
students may have questions concerning administrative policies or operations.
Generally there are logical explanations for situations and usually most
questions can be resolved in an informal manner through discussion with the
individual or office involved. In instances where a student raises a question
about a policy or decision, the affected staff member should respond
constructively explaining the situation as carefully as possible and checking to
be sure that no error has been made. If it is not possible to resolve a matter
through discussion, a student may appeal for further consideration by voicing
the concern to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). Again, in
most instances concerns can be resolved through discussion, interaction and
possibly intervention on behalf of the VPSA as student ombudsman but when this
is not possible the student can formalize his appeal in writing to the VPSA and
ask for consideration by the Student Life Committee and/or the President to
resolve the matter officially. This policy is intended to insure that the student is given fair and
equitable consideration in any matter which may arise.
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