- Appeal of Final Course Grades
It is the right and responsibility of the faculty to determine student grades. Only upon clear and convincing evidence presented by the student will a final course grade appeal be granted. Only final course grades can be appealed. Individual assignment grades (exams, quizzes, projects etc.) should be discussed with the instructor throughout the semester.
Prior to entering a formal appeals process, a student who questions a final course grade should discuss the issue with the course instructor. If the matter is unresolved after this discussion, the student may appeal the grade to the instructor. If the instructor denies the appeal, the student can appeal to the department chair. If the matter remains unresolved, the student can appeal to the student promotion committee. Should the course instructor be the Department chair, the appeal will go directly to the student promotion & graduation committee. A final appeal can be made to the dean if the matter remains unresolved after it has been addressed by the student promotion & graduation committee.
Grade appeals will only be granted if the student presents clear and convincing evidence of one or more of the following:- Procedural or clerical error in calculating the final grade.
- Bias on the part of the instructor that had a negative impact on the student’s grade.
- The grade was not given in accordance with the provision set forth in the course syllabus or in the announced course modifications or descriptions for particular projects and assignments.
Final Course Grade Appeal Procedure- The student must first attempt to resolve the issue with the course instructor /coordinator.
- A student seeking a formal appeal is advised to seek guidance from the associate dean for academics and continuous quality improvement. The principle of seeking a reasonable, fair and speedy resolution prevails throughout the process.
- All formal appeals must be submitted in writing electronically or by hard copy to the appropriate individual (instructor/coordinator, department chair, chair of the student promotion committee, Dean). It is the student’s responsibility to assure the receipt of the appeal by the appropriate individuals. If the instructor/coordinator is no longer employed by the School, the student must submit the appeal to the department chair.
- If the student formally appeals the final course grade, s/he must submit a written appeal, to include rationale/justification for the appeal, to the course instructor/course coordinator within 4 business days from the last date of final exams as provided by the registrar’s office.
- The instructor should notify the student upon receipt of the appeal, but the student is responsible for assuring receipt of the appeal. If the instructor cannot be contacted, the student should notify the department chair of his/her appeal and request assistance for contacting the instructor.
- The instructor will e-mail a written decision to the student within 3 business days of receiving the appeal. If an instructor fails to provide a decision within 3 business days, the student should notify the department chair to intervene in obtaining the decision or furthering the appeal.
- After receiving the instructor’s decision, the student has 3 business days to appeal the final grade, in writing, to the department chair. It is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence to support the appeal. The chair will investigate the appeal. The investigation will include discussing the matter with the instructor, requesting the instructor to support the accuracy and fairness of his/her grading and/or any information that is relevant to the appeal.
- The department chair has 3 business days from the date of receiving the appeal to render a decision and provide a written decision to all parties.
- If the chair’s decision is to deny the appeal, the student has 3 business days to appeal the grade, in writing, to the Student promotion committee. The Committee will provide a written decision to all parties.
- If the Committee’s decision is to deny the appeal, the student has 3 business days to appeal, in writing, to the dean. The dean will provide a final decision to all parties within 3 business days of receiving the appeal.
- At any step of the appeals process, the student may be asked to meet with the individual or Committee involved in the determining the resolution of the appeal or the student can request to speak with the instructor/coordinator, department chair, student promotion committee or the dean at the appropriate point in the process.
- Appeal of Probation, Academic Improvement Contract Actions
Following notification of a decision for placement on an academic improvement contract, a student may appeal, in writing, the decision within three business days to the dean. It is the responsibility of the student to assure receipt of the appeal. The dean makes the final decision on all appeals. The dean may grant an appeal only if a student can demonstrate one of the following: 1) material information not available to the Committee at the time of its initial decision; 2) procedural error; 3) bias of one or Committee members. Following receipt of the appeal, the dean will provide a decision to all parties within 3 business days. - Appeal of Academic Dismissal Actions
Following notification of a decision for dismissal, a student may appeal, in writing, the decision within three business days to the dean. The dean may grant an appeal only if a student can demonstrate one of the following: 1) material information not available to the Committee at the time of its initial decision; 2) procedural error; 3) bias of one or Committee members. The dean makes the final decision on all appeals within the School of Pharmacy. A student that has been dismissed from the School of Pharmacy may request to remain at the University to pursue another major. Whether a student will be accepted into another University program is determined by that program director.
Note: Generally, all timelines for appeals are to be adhered to. However, at the discretion of the School, timelines may be extended if necessary evidence or individuals are not available.