The Final Grade Appeal Policy provides a formal process by which students may appeal a final course grade. This policy does not cover College Now courses, and does not supersede other college policies, procedures, and practices.
Students and faculty, with the support of instructional Deans, should make every effort to resolve concerns about final grades prior to a student seeking a formal grade appeal. Grade appeals to the Grade Appeal Committee (GAC) may be pursued only after such efforts are unsuccessful. Appeals must provide an evidence-based and good-faith case for revising the course grade. The student is responsible for developing and presenting the case for changing a final course grade. The GAC’s decision on whether and how to change a course grade is final, binding, and non-appealable by any party, and will be communicated to all parties.
Basis for a Grade Appeal
Circumstances for final grade appeals include the following; other extenuating circumstances may be considered by the GAC:
- Allegations of unfair or unequal application of grading standards or applying grading criteria to a student or students in a manner that treats them inequitably.
- Allegations of unfair or unannounced alteration of assignments, grading criteria, or computational processes from the instructor’s previously articulated standards.
- Dispute over the calculation or recording of a final grade.
- Allegations of arbitrary or flawed assessment methods, measures, or standards. This includes appeals of grades reflecting instructor of record determination(s) of academic dishonesty.
- Instructional technology issues outside of the student’s control that may have negatively impacted their ability to access course materials in a timely manner.
Grade Appeal Committee (GAC)
Lane Community College will maintain an interdisciplinary Grade Appeal Committee, consisting of five faculty voting members appointed by the Faculty Council—no two faculty members from the same discipline; two student voting members appointed by the Student Government Association; and two non-voting members: the Registrar (or their designee) and a representative from Student Affairs not from the Registrar. The GAC will elect a Committee Chair from among the committee faculty members.
The Registrar or their appointee shall attend meetings and provide support as requested by the GAC; the GAC may request support from other departments as needed.
Grade Appeal Rights
Once the Grade Appeal Committee determines that a formal appeal meets the criteria for review, the student and instructor shall be notified and kept informed throughout the process.
The student shall be given reasonable opportunities to provide and respond to evidence; similarly, the instructor shall be given reasonable opportunities to respond to the appeal and to review and respond to evidence.