Grieving a Grade or Academic Decision
A student who alleges an error or injustice in the grading process may present a formal grievance in writing to the instructor. Grading reflects careful and deliberate assessment of a student’s performance by the instructor and cannot be administratively altered. Grade disputes are best resolved between the classroom instructor and the student with a careful review of grades and discussion of concerns. When that is not possible, this procedure is provided to allow students an organized method to resolve their concern.
In May of each year the Vice President of Academic Affairs shall establish an Academic Grievance Committee for the ensuing 12 months. The committee’s members shall be: an academic dean to serve as chairperson, two of three faculty members selected by the Faculty Association (one from each academic division) and two of three students (one from each academic division and having a GPA not less than 2.5) selected by Student Government. As soon as possible after establishment, the committee shall meet to formulate rules of hearing procedure for its 12-month incumbency. The academic dean shall be responsible for scheduling meetings and providing secretarial assistance.
The word “recommendation” in this procedure shall not be constructed to mean a directive. The word “days” shall mean the business days Monday through Friday. The number of days indicated at each level is considered a maximum. All efforts should be made to expedite the process. The time limits may only be extended in extenuating circumstances by mutual agreement between the grievant and the person against whom the grievance is directed.
Grounds for a Grievance
Students may appeal the final grade of a credit-bearing course when:
- The student can identify a technical or mathematical error in the grade;
- The student can demonstrate that they have been unfairly denied a grading opportunity or held to a grading standard inconsistent with other students in the section;
- The student can demonstrate that the stated grading procedures listed in the course syllabus, department policy, or college policy have not been followed.
- The student can demonstrate attempted resolution with the faculty member and the appropriate department chair.
Students dissatisfied with teaching style or methods do not have grounds for an appeal, but may file a complaint with the appropriate department chair.
No complaint challenging a grade may be initiated later than 25 calendar days following the day grades are posted by the Records Office. If the faculty member who assigned the challenged grade is no longer employed at the institution or is not contacted within the 25-day timespan, the student may present the complaint to the department chairperson. Please note: during the summer, faculty members are unavailable after commencement and grievances might not be addressed until the faculty member returns from summer break. This still obligates the student to register their grievance within the 25-day window.
Process
1.Student must attempt to resolve the grievance informally with the instructor and, if necessary, the department chair. If a student is not satisfied with the resolution offered by the faculty member or department chair, or has not received a response from either party within ten (10) business days, the student may contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance. The dean of students will work with the appropriate academic dean to find an acceptable resolution. The academic dean will issue a written recommendation within five (5) business days.
2. If either the student or the instructor is dissatisfied with the academic dean’s recommendation, they may request a hearing before the Academic Grievance Committee. This request must be made to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs in writing within three (3) days of receipt of the chair’s recommendation. The VPAA shall immediately notify the Dean of Student’s Office of the request, and shall assign an academic dean outside the grievant’s discipline to chair the case. All documentation on the case will be forwarded to the assigned academic dean. The academic dean shall call a meeting of the Academic Grievance Committee to be held within ten (10) days of receipt of the request. No faculty member or student from the grievant’s academic area shall sit on the hearing committee for a given case.
The Academic Grievance Committee shall review the documentation, hear all parties concerned, use any or all means to ascertain the facts and make a final recommendation concerning the grievance. Within five (5) days of the hearing’s adjournment, the chairperson of the Academic Grievance Committee shall send written recommendations to all parties present at the hearing. The Academic Grievance Committee shall be the last appeal at the Community College of Rhode Island.