1. A student has a right to expect thoughtful and clearly defined approaches to course grading, but it must be recognized that varied standards and individual approaches to grading are valid.  Course grading methods should be thoroughly explained to students at the beginning of the semester and must appear on the course syllabus.

2. In a course grade appeal, only arbitrariness, prejudice, and/or error will be considered as legitimate bases for an appeal.

Arbitrariness:   The grade awarded represents such a substantial departure from accepted academic norms as to demonstrate that the instructor did not actually exercise professional judgment.

Prejudice:   The grade awarded was motivated by ill will, and is not indicative of the student's academic performance.

Error:   The instructor made a mistake in fact, or failed to give students adequate notice of grading policies.

If a student believes that discrimination or harassment was a factor in the determination of the course grade awarded, a complaint should be filed with the Affirmative Action Officer under Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy, 1B.1 Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity (see MSU 1999-2000 Dragon Details Student Handbook, pages 64-66).

3. A student may appeal a grade reduced for academic dishonesty through the Course Grade Appeal Policy. 
   
4. The Course Grade Appeal process must be initiated by the student prior to the close of week six of the following semester.  If the student moves to the formal process that must be done before the end of the semester in which the appeal was initiated.  In cases where an incomplete was originally assigned, an appeal must be made within six weeks of the date of the final grade is posted by the Registrar's office and available to the student on the web.  In this latter situation, if the student moves to the formal process, that must be done during the first ten weeks of the next academic year term.
   
5. Normally, the Course Grade Appeal process will be completed during the semester in which the appeal is filed.
6. The Course Grade Appeal Process

            1.     The informal steps:

1. The student will discuss the issue with the instructor, and may consult with the department chairperson, in an attempt to resolve the matter.
   
    
2. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the student will discuss the issue with the dean in whose college the course was offered.  If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the student may choose to file a formal appeal.

            2.     The formal grade appeal:

1. The student will request a Course Grade Appeal form from the dean.   The student will submit it along with any supporting documentation to the dean.  The student should keep a copy.  The dean will send a copy of the Appeal form and supporting documentation to the instructor.
2. The dean will talk to the instructor and to the student to attempt resolution.
3. If no resolution can be reached, the dean will appoint an ad hoc committee and will serve as a resource for the committee.  The committee will consist of one faculty member from the academic department offering the course, two faculty members from other departments within the college, and two upper division students who are majors in fields represented in that college.  The dean shall designate one of the faculty members as chairperson.
4. The instructor of the course will submit a written response to the appeal using the form provided and such other materials as the instructor chooses to enclose.  A copy of those materials will be given to the student, however any material protected by data privacy statutes will be redacted.
5. The ad hoc appeals committee performs an investigative role and may request additional written information from the student and/or the instructor through the committee chairperson or the dean.
6. Based on the information gathered, the committee will prepare written findings with regard to the issues raised in the appeal, that is, the alleged arbitrariness, prejudice, and/or error on the part of the instructor.  The committee will speak to one or more of the criteria as the basis for its findings.  The committee chairperson will forward written findings to the student, to the instructor, and to the dean.
7. The instructor and the student may each respond in writing to the dean that the committee's findings are acceptable or unacceptable.  If either does not respond within seven days, the dean will assume that the committee's written findings are acceptable to that person.
8. If no resolution has been reached, the dean will review the written findings of the committee and the responses of the instructor and the student.  The dean will then make a recommendation to the vice president for academic affairs, attaching the committee's written findings, written materials gathered, and the parties' responses. A copy of the dean's recommendation to the vice president shall be provided to the student and the instructor.
9. The vice president for academic affairs, or designee, will review all the materials, and will make a recommendation to the President, or designee, who shall make the final decision.  Copies of the vice president's recommendation to the President shall be provided to the student and the instructor.
10. The final decision may take the form of a:
    1) recommendation to the instructor and/or
    2) change of grade and/or
    3) determination that no action is warranted.
11. If at any time during the formal Course Grade Appeal Process resolution is  reached, the Course Grade Appeal Process terminates.

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03/19/2007 07:01 AM