Grade Appeals

Final Grade Appeal Policy

Loras College is committed to ensuring that academic records genuinely and accurately reflect the academic accomplishments and performance levels of students.

The purpose of the Final Grade Appeal Policy is to ensure that:

1. Students are protected from capricious or arbitrary academic evaluation and are afforded a clear and fair process for appealing final course grades.
2. Instructors’ professional rights and academic freedom are protected, and they are able to exercise professional judgment in evaluating academic performance.
3. Disputes about final grades are handled respectfully, in a manner that upholds the dignity of the student and the instructor as well as the integrity of the institution.

Scope

The Final Grade Appeal Policy applies only to disputes about final course grades and may not be used to challenge grades on individual assignments, exams, or activities within a course. Final grade appeals may only be initiated by the student receiving the disputed course grade.

Loras College recognizes that the evaluation of student performance is one of the core professional responsibilities of the faculty. Faculty are granted freedom to use professional judgment in the evaluation of student work and to assign grades on the basis of criteria appropriate to the discipline and level of the course. As such, appeals of final grades may be filed only for the following reasons:

1. An objective error of fact, either a mathematical miscalculation or clerical error in reporting the final grade.
2. The assignment of the course grade was determined on the basis of something other than performance in the course; or
3. The assignment of the course grade was based on criteria different from those used to evaluate other students in the course section; or
4. The assignment of the course grade was determined based on substantially altered grading criteria or standards (from those stated in the course syllabus) that are either unfair, unwarranted, or not communicated to students in a timely fashion.

In all instances of formal grade appeal, the burden of proof is on the student and formal appeals must be accompanied by documentation that demonstrates basis of the appeal.

Formal grade appeals must be initiated within thirty calendar (30) days of the date of the official notification of the final grade.

Final Grade Appeal Procedure

Step 1: Informal Resolution

In many instances, particularly when an unintentional error in calculation or reporting has occurred, disputes over a final course grade can be resolved informally through direct communication (in-person meeting, e-mail, telephone conversation) between the student and the course instructor. When a final course grade is in question the student is expected to contact the course instructor as soon as possible and no later than fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of notification of final course grades to initiate an informal resolution process.

Through this informal communication, the instructor and the student should seek to eliminate any confusion over the assignment of the grade and identify any objective errors in calculation or reporting that may have occurred. It is expected that most issues will be resolved at this level.

If the course instructor agrees that the final grade is incorrect a Grade Change Form should be submitted with the appropriate signatures.

If the student and the instructor are unable to resolve the grade dispute or, if the student is unable to contact the instructor (phone call or e-mail not returned within five (5) business days) the student should contact the Division Chair to file a formal grade appeal. For the purposes of this policy the Dean of the Noonan School of Business shall serve the functions of the Division Chair for appeals associated with instructors in School of Business programs.

Step 2: Formal Grade Appeal

A formal grade appeal may be filed only after informal means have been attempted/exhausted and should be initiated by the student within thirty (30) days of the posting of final semester/term grades.

1. The student completes the student portion of the Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form and submits a signed copy of the form and all relevant documentation in support of the appeal (see Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form for list of required and suggested documentation) to the Division Chairperson responsible for oversight of the course instructor.
2. The Division Chairperson shall review the documentation submitted by the student, forward all materials to the course instructor, and either
   1. Facilitate communication between the Instructor and the student to reach an informal resolution, or
   2. Request the instructor complete the faculty portion of the Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form and return the form and the instructor’s written response to the Division Chairperson.
3. In the event the Division Chairperson is able to facilitate an informal resolution one of the following documents should be submitted to the office of the Director of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs:
   1. A Grade Change Form signed by the instructor.
   2. The Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form, with the Withdrawal of Formal Appeal section completed and signed by both the student and the division chair.
4. In the event the Division Chairperson is unable to facilitate an informal resolution, the division chair shall review the materials submitted by both the student and the course instructor, consider any information provided through discussion with the student and/or the instructor (if needed), and submit a written recommendation to the Director of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs.
5. After reviewing the materials submitted by the student, course instructor, and division chairperson, the Director of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs will submit a written recommendation to the Provost & Academic Dean. The Director of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs may request additional information or individual meetings, as needed, to make a recommendation.
6. The Provost & Academic Dean reviews the materials and renders a decision on the appeal and will notify the student of the outcome. The decision of the Provost & Academic Dean is final.