NASHVILLE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

GRADE APPEAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

A student who believes that an error has been made in the grade assigned for a given course has 30 days from the end of term in which the grade was earned to request a review. Grade appeals are allowed only when the instructor has not used stated criteria in the course syllabus, applied criteria unfairly, or made alleged errors in the calculation or recording of a grade. In all cases the complaining student shall assume the burden of proof with respect to the allegations.

STEPS FOR APPEAL OF A GRADE:

1. The student has thirty (30) calendar days from the end of term in which the grade was earned to consult with the instructor in an effort to provide a satisfactory resolution of the complaint. In the event the student cannot schedule a meeting with the instructor, the student may contact the instructor’s division dean who will schedule the meeting between the instructor and the student. The only exception to this procedure is the case where the instructor is no longer employed by the college or is unavailable so that it is impossible to complete Step 1 within the allotted thirty (30) calendar days. In this case, the student may proceed directly to Step 2, in an attempt to resolve the complaint.

2. If the complaint is not resolved in Step 1, the student may begin the appeals process by contacting the office of the dean of student services where a GRADE APPEAL FORM may be obtained. To continue an appeal, the student must present the completed STUDENT GRADE APPEAL FORM to the division dean in which the course was offered within forty-five (45) calendar days from the end of the term during which the grade was earned. The division dean will attempt to resolve the appeal in consultation with the instructor and student within a fifteen (15) calendar day period dating from the formal presentation of the STUDENT GRADE APPEAL FORM.

3. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the level of Step 2, within the prescribed fifteen (15) calendar day period, the student, may appeal further by presenting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or designee, a copy of the complete STUDENT GRADE APPEAL FORM which clearly explains the basis of the appeal, the evidence for the appeal, and any supporting data. The instructor and division dean must also forward copies of all correspondence and records to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee. The Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee may utilize any resources available to resolve the grade conflict within a twenty-one (21) calendar day period. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee finds that the request does not have merit, the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee shall so notify the student, the instructor and division dean. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee determines that the student’s request has merit, the student will be referred to the ACADEMIC APPEALS COMMITTEE.

4. The written request for a hearing before the ACADEMIC APPEALS COMMITTEE shall state the factual basis for the grade appeal. The committee shall notify the student, the instructor, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President of Nashville State Technical Institute of the time and location of the hearing. The ACADEMIC APPEALS COMMITTEE shall function as a review board. Acting on behalf of the President, and after thorough review of the case, the Committee shall make the final decision. It shall have the power to allow the assigned grade to stand or to be changed. Its decision must be formally announced to all parties. The time schedule allowed for completion of the action by the Committee shall be twenty-one (21) calendar days. The hearing is a closed hearing but

the committee will have the right to call and interview all parties involved in the appeal.

Pending resolution of the appeal, consequences of the contested grade will stand.

This policy is in compliance with Tennessee Board of Regents guidelines.

Policy Effective: April 1998