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.
Time frames referenced within are based on the ordinary grade appeal process. More time may be necessary in the event of a lengthy investigation, hearing, illness, university breaks, or other unforeseen circumstances. All grade appeals, including documentation, recommendations, and decisions, are reported to the School of Health Sciences Dean's office. 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:
Formal Process:
Step 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 School of Health Sciences’ Dean's office. If a properly completed grade appeal request form is not received by the Program Director* within 20 days of the grade posting date, the student forfeits further right to appeal.
- After the university receives the grade appeal request form, the director will notify the instructor on the nature of the appeal, provide the faculty grade appeal response form to the instructor, 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 Program Director will insist that it be followed. The role of the Program Director or Dean is not to re-grade the assignment(s).
Step 2
- If the instructor agrees that the grade should be changed, the instructor will change the grade and the academic record will be updated.
- If the instructor does not agree that the grade should be changed, the Program Director 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 Program Director within 10 days.
- The grade appeal form, faculty grade appeal response form, and the evaluation of the specific paper or examination will be submitted to the School of Health Sciences Student Development Council.
- 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 Development 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.
- The Council will notify the student of its decision, which will be final.
- The complainant will be notified of results at each step of the grade appeal process by the chair of the School of Health Sciences Student Development Council.
- All grade appeals, including documentation, recommendations, and decisions related to federal or state regulations, will be reported to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.
- Depending on the situation, the timeline may be expedited.
*If the matter involves the Program Director as the instructor, the Dean of the School of Health Sciences will assume the role of the Program Director for the purpose of this process.
