Grade Appeal

Part 1. Policy
Student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on the basis of academic standards, including any requirements that are noted in the catalog, course syllabus, or student handbook. Students shall have protection against prejudiced or capricious evaluation and shall not be evaluated on the basis of opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students shall have the right to review their corrected examinations or other required assignments used by the faculty in evaluating the student’s academic performance.

The Grade Appeal Policy provides a student the right to a final grade review in the event the student believes that a final course grade was calculated in error or not evaluated solely on the basis of academic standards.
The grade appeal process may not challenge the faculty member’s grading standard. Faculty have the right to establish individual standards and approaches to grading consistent with the principles of their discipline and academic freedom. The process is not intended to grade or re-grade individual assignments or projects but rather, to determine if the final grade was assigned in an accurate or consistent manner. Individual faculty members are responsible for assigning grades; the College is responsible for recording and maintaining an official record of assigned grades.

For a grade adjustment to be considered, a student must be able to demonstrate one of the following:

• A calculation error occurred resulting in assignment of an inaccurate grade
• A grade was assigned that was inconsistent with the written grading standards
• as stated in catalog, course syllabus, or student handbook
• A grade was assigned based on prejudiced or capricious evaluation

Part 2. Scope
Prior to submitting a Grade Appeal form, a student is encouraged to meet with faculty to attempt to reach a mutually agreeable solution. If a resolution cannot be met, a student must submit the Grade Appeal form no later than 30 calendar days after the grade in question is posted. No retaliation of any kind shall be taken against a student for filing an appeal.

​Reference: Minnesota State 3.8, 3.22.1, 3.1 part 9

​When the conditions of the policy are met, the student will submit a Grade Appeal form and supporting documentation to the One Stop. The division dean will consult with the course instructor to determine whether the grade was miscalculated, inconsistent with the written grading standards for the course as stated in the catalog, course syllabus, or student handbook, or the grade was assigned based on prejudiced or capricious evaluation. If the grade appeal is approved by the academic dean based on demonstrated proof of one of these three circumstances, the student’s record will be adjusted accordingly. The student will be notified of the results of the appeal via student email within 30 calendar days from receipt of the Grade Appeal form.
Students may appeal the Dean’s grade appeal decision if one of the following two statements is true:

1) New evidence exists that was unknown at the time of the initial grade appeal that might substantially alter the outcome.
OR
2) A substantial procedural error(s) were discovered that may alter the outcome.

A second appeal must be submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within ten business days of the initial decision. The decision of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is final.