Requirements For A Grade Appeal

The student must have written academic materials or information supporting an appeal. This information must be material that the faculty member could have, by some error, misplaced, overlooked, or not included in the final grade. Other materials that assist an appeal would be schedule modification or withdrawal from college forms.

The appeal must be based upon documented material and not a challenge to the faculty member's judgment.

The appeal must be initiated within ten (10) college workdays after the start of a new grading semester. Summer is considered a grading semester.

An appeal requested ten days after the first class day of the next semester will not be considered.

The instructor of record for the class must be a continuing full-time or part-time college employee. If the instructor of record is no longer an employee of the college, then an appeal for a grade change can only be resolved through a Department Chair.

Only the student with unusual and mitigating circumstances for the request may initiate the appeal. Other parties may assist but cannot make the appeal or presentation materials for the student.

Conditions of a Grade Appeal (Final Grade Only)

Conditions for a grade change appeal include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

The grade resulted from mistaken identity, or a student was given a grade intended for another student.

The instructor inadvertently recorded the wrong grade for an assignment or failed to record a grade for a test, paper, or project. The student subsequently produced the original assignment, paper, or test results for reconsideration.

The grade was based upon the criteria of attendance and the student documents claim they attended the class sessions as required, yet the instructor has attendance records that are different from the student's records.

Grade Appeal Procedures Informal Resolution

The student should request a private discussion with the instructor to present the reasons for an informal resolution to the grade change request.

The instructor can make the grade change or reject the request without further action; no written response is required.

1. An informal resolution by the instructor must be completed within ten (10) days of the student's initial request. A non-response within ten days by the instructor of record is considered a rejection of the appeal unless the instructor of record is unavailable.
2. If the student feels the decision by the instructor of record was unfair and was not based upon current college grading practices, then a request for a formal resolution can be filed.
3. If the college no longer employs the instructor of record, the Department Chair will review the appeal and determine the resolution. No other action is available after the Department Chair and Vice President of Academic Affairs has reviewed the grade change request if Northeastern no longer employs the instructor of record.

Formal Resolution for a Grade Change Request

A Formal Resolution can occur, but is not limited to, the following: (1) If a student has attempted an Informal Resolution with the instructor of record and feels that additional impartial staff need to review the appeal; (2) If the student prefers not to seek an informal resolution with the instructor for whatever reason and wants impartial staff to review the appeal.

Procedures for a Formal Grade Change Appeal

1. The student can appeal the instructor's decision by obtaining a Grade Change Petition from the Northeastern Records Office. The Grade Change Petition must be initiated within the first 10 days of the next grading period. Copies of the petition will be filed with the Records Office, the Instructor, and the Department Chair. If an informal attempt has been made, the ten-day limit will begin after an informal resolution has been tabled or denied.
2. The Registrar will review the appeal and research the files for materials pertaining to the class and grade involved. The Records Office will forward all findings to the course instructor and the Department Chair. The Instructor will provide all grading materials to the Department Chair about the student and grade involved. Materials from the Records Office and the Instructor will be forwarded to the Department Chair within five days of the request.
3. The Department Chair will review all material relating to the appeal and review the best possible resolution with the Instructor. Based upon the Department Chair's review of all related materials, personal interview of the Instructor and possibly the student, the Department Chair will respond to the Grade Appeal. The Department Chair will give a written response within ten (10) days after receipt of the materials.
4. The student may appeal the Department Chair's decision to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. This appeal must include the Grade Change petition and significant and mitigating reasons for the continued appeal. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will confer with the President and respond in writing within 10 days of receiving the Grade Petition.
5. The student may appeal the VPAA's decision to a President's Academic Hearing Board. This board appointed by the President will consist of three faculty representatives, two professional staff, and three students (who could be ASG Officers or ASG Senators). The President's Academic Hearing Board chair must be selected from the membership to ensure an impartial decision. This appeal must include the Grade Change Petition and significant and mitigating reasons for the continued appeal.
6. The Hearing Board will forward a response to the President within ten days of receiving the Grade Petition. The President will respond to the student's appeal within five days of receiving the Hearing Board's recommendation. The President's response is final.