3.3 Grade Appeal Procedure and Time Schedules

Step 1. Informal Consultation with Instructor.

This must be initiated within thirty calendar days of the posting of the course grade for viewing by students. The student shall first consult with the instructor in an effort to reach a satisfactory resolution of his or her appeal. It is a part of the professional obligation of College instructors to meet with students who wish to avail themselves of this academic grade appeal procedure for the purpose of reviewing the grade assigned and attempting to resolve the matter. In the event that the student cannot schedule a face-to-face meeting with the instructor, the student may attempt to consult with the instructor by email or phone, or the student may ask the instructor’s supervisor to schedule the meeting between the student and the instructor. Informal consultation is a required first step, and no further grade appeal is permitted unless informal consultation is first attempted. The only exception to this procedure is when the instructor is no longer employed by the College or is otherwise unavailable so that it is impossible to complete Step 1. If the student has attempted to contact the instructor via email and has not received a reply within ten business days, the student may proceed directly to Step 2. The instructor’s decision after the consultation must be completed and communicated to the student within ten business days of the informal consultation.

Step 2. Appeal to the Instructor’s Supervisor.

If a student wishes to appeal a grade further, they must submit a written appeal to the instructor’s supervisor responsible for the course being appealed within ten business days following the end of Step 1. The appeal to the instructor’s supervisor must be submitted in writing and must contain the student’s name, ID, the course/section, instructor, written communication resulting from Step 1, and description of how the case meets the conditions of a grade appeal. (See Conditions for an Appeal, section 3.2.) The instructor’s supervisor will then review the information provided to reach a decision. The decision will be communicated to the student and the instructor within ten business days of the receipt of the appeal.

Step 3. Appeal to Academic Integrity Committee.

If the student wishes to appeal a grade further, they may submit an appeal to the Academic Integrity Committee by sending an email to academicintegrity@cwi.edu within ten business days of the end of Step 2 or by submitting your Academic Grade Appeal Form. The appeal to the instructor’s supervisor must be submitted in writing and must contain the student’s name, ID, the course/section, instructor, communication resulting from Step 1 and 2, and description of how the case meets the conditions of a grade appeal. The Academic Integrity Committee will then review the information provided to reach a decision. The decision will be communicated to the student, the instructor, and the instructor’s supervisor within ten business days of the receipt of the appeal.  All decisions made in Step 3 are final.