Huntingdon College Grade Appeal Policy

Overview

If you believe you have received an unfair grade, Huntingdon College provides a process to review it. This process begins with an Informal Final Grade Appeal and, if necessary, moves to a Formal Final Grade Appeal.

Note: If your concern involves harassment or discrimination, you do not have to speak with the instructor. Instead, you should follow the Huntingdon College Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination and report this to the Title IX Coordinator.

Phase 1: Talk to your instructor (Informal Grade Appeal)

• Before filing a formal final grade appeal, you must first try to resolve the issue informally (that is, talking to your instructor) up to 10 days after the final day of the term.
• If you would like support during this meeting, the Student Complaint Resolution Officer (sshoffner@hawks.huntingdon.edu) can accompany you.
• If your final course grade changes as a result of this conversation, your instructor must submit an “Adjustment of Student’s Academic Record” form to the Office of Academic Affairs for approval or denial.

Phase 2: Formal Grade Appeal

If talking to your instructor does not resolve the issue, you may begin a formal appeal.

Grounds for Appeal

A formal appeal is not an opportunity to re-argue a grade with which you disagree. To be considered, your appeal must be based on capricious, arbitrary, or inequitable grading. Examples include the following:

• clerical or calculation error
• deviation from stated grading policies or assignment criteria
• inconsistent or unequal application of grading standards
• failure to follow institutional or course procedures
• procedural irregularity or improperly applied academic penalty
• Other (please describe on the grade appeal form)

How to File

Submit the Formal Grade Appeal Form to the Office of Academic Affairs no later than 30 business days after the final course grade is due to Registrar (please refer to academic calendar). The process will be completed within 30 business days after the Formal Grade Appeal Form is submitted.

What Happens Next:

Note: If at any point in the process, the instructor is the administrator referenced, that step will be skipped.

1. Office of the CAO sends Form to the Department Chair: The Department Chair will attempt to resolve the issue. If this fails to resolve the issue, the process continues.
2. Office of the CAO sends Form to the School Dean: The School Dean will attempt to resolve the issue. If this fails to resolve the issue, the process continues.
3. Form Submission to Committee: The Office of Academic Affairs will forward your form to the Grade Appeals Committee.

Committee Composition

The Grade Appeals Committee consists of three members:

• Faculty Chair of the Academic Policy and Honors Committee
• Faculty Chair of the Tenure, Promotion, and Development Committee
• Faculty Chair of the Athletics and Student Development Committee

The most senior faculty member of these (by years of service) will serve as Chair of the Grade Appeals Committee. If any member is involved in the grade dispute, the Chief Academic Officer will appoint an alternate faculty member.

1. Preliminary Review: The Committee will review your Grade Appeal Form to determine whether there is sufficient justification for further investigation.
   • If no justification is found: The Committee Chair will notify you that your appeal has been rejected. You may then appeal to the Chief Academic Officer.
   • If justification is found: The Committee Chair will notify your instructor and provide them with your Grade Appeal Form.
2. Full Review: The Committee will consider all evidence submitted. The Committee reserves the right to seek additional evidence.
3. Decision: The Committee will notify both you and your instructor of its decision. If your appeal is upheld, the Committee will submit a written recommendation for a grade change to the Chief Academic Officer.
4. Final Appeal: Either you or your instructor may appeal the Committee’s decision to the Chief Academic Officer. The Chief Academic Officer will review all documents and minutes related to the case. The decision of the Chief Academic Officer is final.