Student Academic Concerns and Grade Appeals (Procedure 4.0300)

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 is 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 has 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 in 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. Appeal
   1. If the problem has not been resolved within 10 College working days of the request for the initial conference with the Dean the student may file an appeal. The appeal shall be filed using the Student Concerns or Complaints form. 
   2. The appeal must describe the situation in specific detail and provide documentation of dates and participants of any informal discussion(s) or the attempts to schedule those informal discussion(s).
   3. The form will be routed as follows:
      1. Faculty signature to confirm document or add anything not captured in the complaint.
      2. Next step, the Dean/immediate supervisor will sign the form to confirm document or add anything not captured in the complaint.
      3. Next, the form will route to the Academic Appeals Committee chair with a copy to the school AVP and students.
      4. The Committee will meet within 10 college working days to convene and provide a recommendation to the AVP.
      5. The Chair will notify the student of the committee discussion.
         
         
3. Academic Appeals Committee Review
   1. Committee Composition
      1. The Vice President of Academic Affairs shall convene an Academic Appeals Committee consisting of the following, not from the appellant's department.
      2. Two faculty members each from a different academic department.
      3. One Dean or Director.
      4. One student representative from Student Government, or student leader (such as Phi Theta Kappa leadership or Honors student not from the complainant's program).
      5. One Academic Affairs administrator (committee chair).
      6. Each academic year, the Vice President, Academic Affairs shall appoint a pool of approximately ten (10) or more qualified faculty, staff and administrators to serve on the Academic Appeals Committee. For each appeal, committee members will be selected from this pool to ensure appropriate representation, maintain impartiality, and avoid conflicts of interest, including exclusion of individuals from the appellant's department.
         
         
   2. Committee Process
      1. The committee shall convene within ten College working days of receiving the appeal, in person or virtually at the discretion of the committee. 
      2. The committee chairperson will notify all parties of the hearing by college email.
      3. The committee may request additional documentation or information from either party.
      4. The student, faculty member, and dean may appear before the committee to state their case. Presentation(s) will be limited to five minutes and related to documentation previously submitted. No new information is permitted. 
      5. The committee will deliberate in closed session and render a decision by majority vote.
         
         
   3. Final Disposition
      1. The committee shall issue a written decision within five College working days of the hearing. 
      2. The determination of the Academic Appeals Committee shall constitute the final disposition of the student academic concern/grade appeal. Any concerns that the Committee did not follow the required review process must be addressed through Procedure 3.0800, Student Concerns and Complaints. 
      3. The committee's decision will be communicated simultaneously to the student, faculty members, and the Dean through college email.
         
         

Rulemaking Authority and Law(s) Implemented:  Florida Statutes §§1001.64, 1001.65, and Policies 1.020, 4.090

History – Adopted 5/2005 Revised 3/2018, 4/2021, 8/2026