Grade Appeal - School of Health Sciences

Indiana Wesleyan University follows generally accepted college and university practice in the development of academic policies, the operation of classrooms, and use of grading techniques. The university allows its instructors independence in following generally accepted practices. A student who wishes to appeal a course grade must abide by the procedures that follow.

Each stated time frame will be the ordinary process. More time may be necessary in the event of a lengthy investigation, hearing, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. All grade appeals, with all documents, recommendations, and decisions, will be reported to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Because the appeal process is a private university administrative process, legal counsel or representation is inappropriate.

Grade Appeal

A grade appeal involves only those situations in which a student believes that an instructor (a) has not followed fair grading practice or (b) has not followed his or her published grading policy. A student who wishes to appeal a grade based on one or both of these reasons must follow these procedures:

Informal Process:

1. The student should contact the professor for a full explanation of the grade given and the basis for making the grade within 10 days of the posting of the grade.

2. The informal process may be ended at any time and the complainant may begin the formal procedure by submitting a written grade appeal form within 20 days of the posting of the grade. Grade appeal forms are available from the office of the School of Health Sciences. 

Formal Process:

Step 1

1. If there is no resolution during the informal process, the student may file a grade appeal request form, which can be obtained from the office of the School of Health Sciences. If a properly completed grade appeal request form is not received by the university within 20 days of the date the student's grade was posted, then the student will forfeit any further right to appeal.

2. If the matter involves the Chairperson as faculty, the student may request that the Dean of the School of Health Sciences review the matter.

3. After the university receives the grade appeal request form, it will be forwarded to the instructor along with a faculty grade appeal response form. The chairperson will notify the faculty member of the appeal and its nature and seek to mediate the dispute through the following steps:

• Discussion of the facts of the case seeking resolution within 10 days.

• If the faculty member's stated policy for calculating the grade has not been followed, the chairperson will insist that it be followed. The role of the chairperson or dean is not to re-grade the assignment(s).

Step 2

1. If the instructor agrees that the grade should be changed, the faculty will be instructed to change the grade and the academic record will be updated.

2. If the instructor does not agree that the grade should be changed, the Chair will request a second reading of the specific paper or examination by two faculty members with knowledge in the academic discipline. They will submit their completed rubrics or evaluations to the Chair within 10 days.

3. The grade appeal form, faculty response form, and the evaluation of the specific paper or examination will be submitted to the School of Health Sciences Student Life Council.

4. Upon receipt of the request for council review from the student, the matter will be brought to the next regularly scheduled School of Health Sciences Student Life Council meeting. (NOTE: The Council reserves the right to seek clarification from the student, additional graders, or the instructor). If the matter involves a member of the council, then that individual will recuse himself/herself from deciding the appeal.

5. The Council will notify the student of its decision, which will be final.

6. The complainant will be notified of results at each step of the grade appeal process. All grade appeals, with all papers, recommendations, and decisions related to federal or state regulations, will be reported to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

7. Depending on the situation, the timeline may be expedited.