Grade Appeal
The grade appeal process provides a fair, orderly, and unbiased process for students who wish to pursue a formal appeal of their final course grade. In taking such action, students shall assume the burden of proof concerning any perceived error in the grade assigned. Further, they shall follow the sequence of steps below with the presumption that, as a matter of rule, instructors do not assign arbitrary, capricious, prejudicial, or discriminatory grades. The grade appeal must be started within 10 working days of the posting of the final grades upon conclusion of the semester.
Before starting a formal grade appeal, the student must discuss the final course grade, including grading practices and assignments, with the instructor who gave the final grade. The instructor and the student should make every effort to eliminate any misunderstandings over the assignment of the grade as it relates to the course syllabus. It is expected that most grade issues will be resolved at this level. This discussion must occur before the student initiates a formal appeal.
If the faculty member finds in the student’s favor, a grade change is submitted, and the appeal process is resolved.
If a student and instructor fail to resolve the grade dispute through informal means, the student may initiate a formal grade appeal by following the steps outlined below.
Step 1: The student must present a completed Grade Appeal form with all facts and supporting documentation to the course faculty member in person or via their BridgeValley email within 5 working days of the initial, informal resolution attempt to begin the formal grade appeal process. The Grade Appeal form may be obtained from the BridgeValley website (bridgevalley.edu/registrar/forms). The Grade Appeal form containing the course faculty member’s decision and rationale must be completed, dated, and signed by the course faculty member.
Step 2: If the issue is not resolved to the student’s or the instructor’s satisfaction at Step 1, the student may appeal to the department chairperson* within 5 working days of the date indicated on the signed Grade Appeal form. A meeting between the student and the department chairperson will be arranged. The course faculty member may be invited to this meeting if the department chairperson deems it appropriate. The student must attend the scheduled meeting and discuss the issue of the grade appeal with the department chairperson. Should a student fail to attend any scheduled meeting, the appeal will be nullified, and no further action will be considered. The Grade Appeal form containing the decision resulting from Step 2 and the rationale, must be completed, dated, and signed by the department chairperson.
*If the course faculty member is also the department chair, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: If the issue is not resolved to the student’s or the instructor’s satisfaction at Step 2, the student may appeal to the Academic Division Dean* within 5 working days of the date indicated on the signed Grade Appeal form from Step 2. A meeting between the student and the Academic Division Dean will be arranged. The student must attend the scheduled meeting and discuss the issue of the grade appeal with the Academic Division Dean. Should a student fail to attend any scheduled meeting, the appeal will be nullified, and no further action will be considered. The Academic Division Dean will investigate the evidence presented. The Grade Appeal form containing the decisions resulting from Steps 1 and 2 and the rationale of the decision resulting from Step 3 must be completed, dated, and signed by the Academic Division Dean.
*If the faculty member is also the Academic Division Dean, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: If the issue is not resolved to the student’s or the instructor’s satisfaction at Step 3, the student must send a copy of the Grade Appeal form to the Office of the Registrar within 5 working days to schedule a meeting. After meeting with the student and college personnel involved in Steps 1, 2, and 3, the Registrar will review the appeal to determine if the student has appropriate grounds for appeal based on the statements in the syllabus and other documentation presented. If warranted, the Registrar will convene the Grade Appeals Committee, which is a recommending body and a subcommittee of the Academic Board, to convene a hearing. If the appeal is deemed unwarranted, the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) makes the determination that the grade stands. The student will be notified in writing of the VPAA’s decision.
Grade Appeal Committee: The Grade Appeal Committee is convened by the Registrar after Step 4 when the grade is still in dispute and the Registrar determines that the student has grounds for an appeal. The Registrar and the VPAA will select the individuals not involved in the process to this point to serve on the Grade Appeal Committee and a hearing date will be scheduled. The Grade Appeal Committee shall consist of 2 Deans, 2 faculty members, and 2 students. An additional faculty member deemed a subject matter expert in the field of the disputed grade shall be identified and selected to serve also. The course faculty member and the student involved in the appeal will have an opportunity to be heard before the Grade Appeals Committee. Any individual involved in Steps 1-3 may be asked to comment before the Committee. The participants will be informed, in writing, of the Grade Appeal Committee’s recommendation within two (2) working days after the hearing.
The faculty member must abide by the recommendation of the Grade Appeal Committee and will submit any grade change deemed necessary to the Office of the Registrar.
For questions or assistance with the grade appeal process, please contact [email protected].
RELATED FORMS