Grading Dispute Policy

CX Cancelled Course – CX is recorded when a course is dropped up to and including the 14th day after the course start date.

R Repeated Course – A learner has the option of retaking a course if he or she wants to improve an unsatisfactory grade. Tuition must be paid for the repeated course at the current published tuition rate. Once a letter grade is recorded for the repeated course, the original grade will be replaced by an “R” grade. The grade points earned from the later grade will be used in computing the cumulative grade point average. S Satisfactory – Full credit is given for course. S is equivalent to B or above for graduate work and C or above for undergraduate or JD level work. U Unsatisfactory – No credit is given for the course. CR Credit – Full credit is given for the course. CR is equivalent to B or above for graduate work and C or above for undergraduate or JD level work. NC No Credit – No credit is given for the course. I Incomplete – An incomplete is a temporary grade indicating additional course work is required to fulfill the requirement of a given course.

An undergraduate or graduate student may appeal a course activity (such as an assignment, discussion, quiz, or other graded course activity) or final grade using the following procedures. Bases for a grade appeal are, but are not limited to, the following: (a) violation of university policy; (b) violation of course policies, and (c) questions regarding the accuracy and/or fairness of an assessment. Differences in course design/execution amongst courses, learner eligibility for benefits or awards, and academic standing are not valid reasons to dispute a grade. The dispute process follows: 1. When a learner has a concern or complaint about a course activity or final grade, the policy requires that the learner first discuss and/or attempt to resolve the concern with the faculty mentor. The learner should discuss the concerns with the mentor, stating the rationale for questioning the grade. If the learner and mentor cannot resolve the dispute, then the learner may consider submitting a Grade Appeal Request. 2. Within ten calendar days, after the grade was awarded, or sooner (if possible), the learner may initiate a Grade Appeal Request. The learner shall contact their LSS advisor to obtain forms and review directions regarding the request. 3. Initiating a Grade Appeal Request requires the following actions: a. the learner must obtain a copy of the Grade Appeal Request form from their LSS advisor; b. collect copies of the relevant syllabus, assignment/discussion/activity instructions, feedback received, the grade issued by the faculty mentor, and other supporting documentation; and c. email the completed Grade Appeal Request form and supporting documentation to the Grade Appeal Committee[1] at gradeappeal@calsouthern.edu. 4. The Grade Appeal Committee will examine and issue their findings within ten calendar days after receiving a complete Grade Appeal Request. The Committee may contact the faculty mentor during the examination phase; however, the faculty mentor must supply a response within 72 hours of receiving an inquiry from the Committee during the exam phase. 5. The examination phase terminates when the Chair of the Grade Appeal Committee issues their findings, in writing, to the applicable Dean(s) and/or designated department representative(s). If the Committee cannot issue a determination, then the applicable Dean and/or designated department representative(s) shall review the request and determine the appropriate action(s).