Students are responsible for meeting the standards for academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities of the instructor.
This grade appeal procedure is available only for the review of allegedly capricious grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the student's academic performance. Capricious grading, as the term is used here, consists only of any of the following:
- The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than the performance in the course;
- The assignment of a grade to a particular student by resorting to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course.
Step 1: The student should first discuss the course grade fully with the instructor of the course. This must be done within two weeks after the start of the following semester (fall/spring)
Step 2: If the matter cannot be resolved by consultation with the instructor, the student may set up a hearing with the dean/division chair or, in the case of outreach coursework, the SCCC Director of Outreach. The hearing must be scheduled within two weeks of speaking to the instructor or within two weeks of the start of the following semester if instructor is no longer employed by the college. The student, the instructor, and dean/division chair (director of outreach) should attempt to resolve the matter at this level.
Step 3: If the matter is not resolved, the parties involved may appeal to the VP of Academic Affairs. The written notice of this appeal must be made within two weeks of speaking to the dean/division chair or director of outreach. The VP will establish, within seven calendar days, an ad hoc academic appeals committee and appoint a committee chairperson to review the written records presented by the student, instructor, and dean/division chair (director of outreach). After the committee has had the opportunity to review all the written data and interview potential informational sources, the committee will make its decision regarding the appeal. The decision of the committee will be communicated to the student, the instructor, the dean/division chair (director of outreach), and the VP of Academic Affairs by the committee chairperson. The decision of this committee shall be considered final.