/Institutions/Western-Piedmont-Community-College/json/2023-2024/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Western-Piedmont-Community-College/json/2023-2024/Catalog.json

Grade Appeal Policy

The course instructor determines final course grades in accordance with the grading policy they distribute at the beginning of the course. The grading system is the prerogative of the instructor. A student may appeal a grade received in accordance with the procedures outlined below. The appeal of a grade must be initiated at least three (3) business days prior to the end of the next term.

1. The student shall communicate with the instructor who assigned the contested grade.
2. Should the student and instructor fail to resolve the issue, the student shall appeal their grade in writing to the Department Head or Coordinator of the program associated with the grade. The Department Head or Program Coordinator shall seek a resolution by communicating with the student and the instructor. If the instructor is also the Department Head or Program Coordinator, the student must submit their appeal in writing to the Division Dean.
3. Should the Department Head or Program Coordinator, instructor, and student fail to reach an agreement, the Department Head or Program Coordinator shall forward the matter to the Division Dean responsible for the program associated with the grade.
4. Should the Division Dean, Department Head or Program Coordinator, instructor, and student fail to reach an agreement, the Division Dean will request that the Dean of Student Services convenes a Student Grade Appeal Committee.
5. The Dean of Student Services, or a designee, will serve as Chair of the Grade Appeal Committee and be a non-voting member.

Voting members of the Grade Appeal Committee will consist of a faculty member from each academic division selected by the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development and the student’s faculty advisor (if different from the instructor). The Committee will meet to discuss the grade appeal and may hear from the instructor, the student, and any other persons the Committee deems appropriate. Should the Committee find that the grade received was inappropriate, the Committee shall determine the method by which the grade will be re-evaluated. The resulting grade, if different, must be submitted within College guidelines and may not be further appealed. Should the Committee find that the grade received by the student was appropriate, the Committee will direct that no action be taken to change the grade. Findings will be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development.

Failure of a student to request a grade change as directed by the Grade Appeal policy and procedure will be considered acceptance of the original grade.