Student Academic Concerns and Grade Appeals (Procedure 4.0300)

Authority:	F.S. 1001.64
Date Adopted:	05/2005
Date of Revision:	03/2018; 4/20/2021
Related Policies:	4.090

Purpose:

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the steps to be followed to address student academic, instructional and faculty concerns and grade appeals.

A professor's grades are considered permanent once they have been submitted and approved by the Records Office. A student who asserts that there are grounds upon which to request a change in grade may file a grade appeal according to the procedure specified herein.

Grade appeals must be initiated by the student within 30 days of the start of the next term after the grade was received.

Procedure:

1. Informal Conference
   1. Informal Discussion with Faculty Member -The student shall first discuss any concerns with the faculty member involved. This initial discussion is informal during which the student may present information regarding his/her academic concern/grade change request. Every effort should be made by the student and the faculty member to resolve the issue at this level.
   2. Informal Discussion with Dean/Supervisor - If, the problem is not been resolved during the informal discussion with the faculty member, the student shall request to discuss the issue with the faculty member’s Dean/supervisor. This initial discussion with the Dean is an informal conversation which the student may present information regarding his/her academic concern/grade change request. Every effort should be made by the student and the Dean to resolve the issue at this level.
   3. The Dean will also advise the student that all claims must be substantiated by evidence if they are to be considered by the Dean. Further, the Dean shall remind the student that knowingly furnishing false information is prohibited and is subject to sanction per the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 3.090).
2. Written Appeal
   1. If the problem has not been resolved within 10 College working days of the request for the initial conference(s), either because the student and professor have been unable to resolve the issue informally, or because the faculty member or Dean is unavailable, the student may file a Written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal on the Written Statement of Student Concern or Complaint form with the appropriate immediate supervisor of the faculty member (Dean).  The Written Statement of Student Concern or Complaint form can be found here.
   2. The Written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal must describe the situation in specific detail and provide documentation of dates and participants of any informal discussions(s) or the attempts to schedule those informal discussion(s).
   3. All Written Statements of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeals will be entered by the Dean/immediate supervisor into the electronic Written Student Complaints online system.
   4. The Dean/immediate supervisor will issue a written decision about the situation within 5 college working days and at least 10 working days before any further meetings are convened.
      1. A meeting can be scheduled earlier than the required 10 days with the mutual consent of all parties involved.
   5. A faculty member will not be required to respond to a written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal which does not have specific information regarding dates, times, materials involved, or any other pertinent information necessary to clearly identify the basis for the academic concern or requested grade change.
   6. The Dean/immediate supervisor shall review the Written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal and may meet with the student or faculty member individually or together to try to resolve the issue(s) raised in the appeal.
      1. The Dean/immediate supervisor will confer with the Program Manager in cases where a Program Manager exists.
   7. If either party in the dispute wishes further hearing beyond the immediate supervisor(s) of the faculty member, the academic concern/grade appeal may be brought to the appropriate Associate Vice President (AVP) by that party.
3. Review by Associate Vice President
   1. If either party (student or faculty member) in the dispute wishes further appeal beyond the dean/ immediate supervisor, the disputing party may request a hearing with the appropriate Associate Vice President within 10 College working days of the decision of the Dean/immediate supervisor.
   2. At such time, the Written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal shall be updated by the Dean/immediate supervisor with an account of previous actions taken and sent to the appropriate Associate Vice President.
   3. Upon receipt of the Written Statement of Student Academic Concern/Grade Appeal, the Associate Vice President will work with the involved parties in an attempt to resolve the conflict within 10 College working days of receipt of the written Appeal.
4. Review by Vice President Academic Affairs and Final Disposition
   1. If either party in the dispute wishes further appeal beyond the Associate Vice President, the that party may request a hearing with the Vice President, Academic Affairs within 10 College working days of the Associate Vice President's decision.
   2. Documentation of actions taken at each prior level will be provided to the Vice President by the party requesting appeal.
   3. The Vice President, Academic Affairs will review the previous actions, confer with the Associate Vice President, and meet, as appropriate, with the student, faculty member, and Dean in an attempt to resolve the issues.
   4. The determination of the Vice President Academic Affairs shall constitute the final disposition of the student academic concern/grade appeal.

Recommended by	Executive Team/CAC	Date	04/20/2021
Signed by	President Georgia L. Lorenz	Date	05/04/2021