Reevaluation of Academic Work

Informal Procedures for Reevaluation of Academic Work

When a student questions the accurate assessment of his or her academic work, an attempt must first be made to resolve the issue informally. The student’s first step is to confer with the instructor. If the issue is still unresolved after conferring with the instructor, the student’s second step is to confer with the division chair or supervisor, who will schedule a conference of all three parties.

The division chair or supervisor will keep a record of the informal process. These informal procedures must be initiated within 10 calendar days from the date the grade was assigned and concluded within 20 calendar days from the date the grade was assigned, exclusive of college closings.

Formal Procedures for Reevaluation of Academic Work

Except where specified, all procedures will be consistent with those outlined elsewhere in this code.

To contest a grade, the student must put into writing the reasons for the contest. The request, along with any supporting documentation, must be delivered to the office of the Vice President of Learning. The request for reevaluation of academic work must include evidence specific enough to support the probability that the grade was given as a result of capricious or neglectful evaluation of the student’s performance. The Vice President’s staff will deliver the letter, any attachments, and the division chair or supervisor’s summary of the informal process to the Faculty Grade Review Committee (a total of three permanent instructors appointed annually by the chair of the Faculty Senate).

The committee makes its recommendation to the Vice President based on the written record and relevant inquiries. The student does not appear before the committee. Inquiries about any aspect related to reevaluation of academic work should be directed to the Vice President’s Office. The Faculty Grade Review Committee cannot respond to inquiries about specific cases.

(Note: A student who has received notification that a grade was given as a result of cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty may not contest the grade under this policy. See Student Code of Conduct and Student Code of Conduct procedures).

A request for a review of a grade must be made and delivered within 30 days from the date the grade was assigned, excluding official college holidays.

1. The Faculty Grade Review Committee may:
   1. Dismiss the request for insufficient evidence;
   2. Submit findings to the Vice President. Under normal circumstances, a decision will be made within 45 business days, exclusive of college closings.
2. The Vice President, after reviewing the findings, may take the following action:
   1. Dismiss the request for insufficient evidence;
   2. Call for a reevaluation of student work, including, if necessary, any reexamination of the student.
   3. Cause the grade to be changed. Under normal circumstances, a decision will be made by the Vice President within 15 business days of receipt of the committee’s findings, exclusive of college closings.

The student has a right to be informed by an instructor when a grade is assigned for reasons of cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty.

The Vice President’s decision may be appealed by the student in writing within 10 business days to the president of the college. The president or the president’s designee will conduct a review within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal to determine whether the decision was reasonable. The decision of the president or the president’s designee will be final.