Grade Appeals

GRADE APPEALS EVALUATION OF STUDENTS’ WORK The process of grading is essentially a private matter between individual students and instructors, ruled by principles of academic proficiency, professionalism, and confidentiality. Grading a student’s work is the responsibility and prerogative of the instructor and, in principle, any alteration in a student’s grade rests in the discretion of the instructor. As people responsible for their own quality education and as mature participants in the evaluation process, students are encouraged to discuss course grades and the multiple factors supporting the evaluation with the instructor(s).

GRADE APPEALS: APPEAL TO THE INSTRUCTOR If a student has a question about a final course grade received, the student is expected to contact the instructor directly and within fourteen days from the date posted on the student’s grade report. A student has the right to ask an instructor to review the student’s work (copies of which the student shall provide), and the professor has an obligation to explain the grounds upon which the grade was rendered, enlisting the opinion of another faculty member when appropriate. Ordinarily the professor shall respond to the appeal in writing no more than fourteen days after receiving the student’s written request. Should an appeal to the instructor result in a changed grade, the instructor shall complete and submit to the academic dean an Update of Student Academic Record form.

GRADE APPEALS: APPEAL TO THE ACADEMIC DEAN In the event that the appeal to the professor has failed to resolve the matter, the student may immediately submit a formal appeal in writing to the academic dean, using the Grade Appeal form (available in the Student Handbook and in the dean’s office). If the grade being appealed is a passing course grade, the appeal process ends with the decision of the academic dean.

To be considered, appeals to the academic dean must meet one or more of the following criteria: ● Instructor violated the terms of the syllabus. ● Instructor made an error in calculating or recording a grade. ● Instructor violated a Seminary policy when they gave assignments, administered exams, or assigned grades. ● Instructor applied an inconsistent grading standard across students. ● Instructor did not allow the student to complete assignments or exams missed before the student added the course. ● Instructor violated a written agreement with the student.

The following supporting documentation is required (unless otherwise noted): ● explanation of what occurred and how the criteria previously noted apply to the situation; ● correspondence from instructor indicating that the appeal has been denied; ● course syllabus; ● timeline of events relevant to the appeal;