/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2022-2023/University-Policy-local.json

/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2022-2023/University-Policy.json

Policy > Athletics Handbook > Student Athlete > Athletics and Eligibility > Grade Appeals

Grade Appeals

To maintain due process in all areas of the University, any student is afforded the opportunity to appeal grades that the student alleges to be capricious or miscalculated. While it is the right of the student to appeal, University policies, procedures and guidelines will be followed without deviation. This appeal process is to be used only if the student has been unsuccessful in informally resolving a grade appeal with the course instructor. The Grade Appeal Form, along with written reasons stating why the student is appealing the grade, must be submitted in advance of meeting with the School Dean (or designee). Appeals should be initiated by submitting the completed appeal form within ten (10) business days of the grade’s release (this includes individual assignments through final course grades). Note that Grade Appeal Forms can be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs. The appeal form delineates the timeline for administrative review and consideration of grade appeals.

How to do:

• The Grade Appeal procedure is only available for review of alleged capricious/miscalculated grading and not for review of the judgment of faculty in assessing the quality of student work.

  • Capricious Grading as outlined by the University is recognized as:

  • Assigning a grade to a student that was miscalculated in error.

  • Assigning a grade to a student on some basis other than performance in the course

  • Assigning a grade to student by more rigorous or stringent standards than were applied to other students in the same course section; and/or

  • Assigning a grade in substantial departure from the professor’s standards announced and provided in the syllabus and/or course instructions (procedural error).

• The assessment of the quality of a student’s academic performance is a major professional responsibility of faculty and is solely and properly their responsibility.

• It is necessary, however, that any course grade be based on evidence of the student’s performance in a course, that the student have access to the evidence, that the professor be willing to explain and interpret the evidence to the student, and that a grade be determined in accordance with published guidelines. These guidelines should be published on syllabi and made available within the first two weeks of the semester. Note that at times faculty may amend syllabi and thus, grading guidelines, but must inform students of these changes prior to implementation.

• At any time, a student may seek the counsel of an advisor and/or Office of Academic Affairs personnel regarding the procedure for appealing alleged capricious grades or the merits of a particular case.