A student may challenge a final course grade if the student has a reasonable belief the grade was assigned in an arbitrary or capricious manner and is unable to resolve their concerns with the primary instructor of record who assigned the grade (Evaluation of students and award of credit must be based on professionally judged academic performance and not on matters irrelevant to that performance, as detailed in Policy 3.3.12A Faculty Responsibilities to Students, Policy 4.1.6 Grading Practice, and Policy 1.1 Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy). This policy applies only to final course grades and does not apply to coursework, mid-terms or other grades awarded during a semester. Qualifying and comprehensive examinations and defense of theses or dissertations shall follow guidelines set by the Graduate School.
Before filing a challenge under this policy, the student must discuss their concerns with the primary instructor of record and make every effort to resolve the situation. Primary instructors of record must carefully consider the student’s concerns and make a reasonable effort to resolve the issues raised by the student.
A student may only challenge a final course grade under this policy, only if the student has discussed the concern with the primary instructor of record and can demonstrate that the grade was awarded in an arbitrary or capricious manner. For purposes of this policy, arbitrary or capricious means (a) the assignment of a final course grade was made on a basis other than the student’s academic performance in the course, (b) the assignment of a final course grade was based on standards that differ unreasonably from the standards applied to other students in the course, or (c) the assignment of a final course grade was made in a manner that substantially or unreasonably departed from the instructor's articulated standards. This policy will not be used to review the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of a student's work, to require another instructor to re-grade or re-examine a student's work, or to allege cases involving violations of academic integrity.
If, after discussion with the primary instructor of record, the student believes, in good faith, that the grade is arbitrary or capricious, or if there is an inability to reach the primary instructor of record, the student may file an appeal to the department chair/school director or the Dean of the Mennonite College of Nursing (when applicable) no later than ten (10) 10 business days after the start of the academic semester following the semester for which the grade was awarded. Appeals for Winter semester grades must be submitted within ten (10) business days of the beginning of the Spring semester. Appeals for grades received in a first-half semester (8 weeks) must be submitted within ten (10) business days after the grade was awarded. The department chair/school director or the Dean of the Mennonite College of Nursing (when applicable) will issue a written decision to both parties within ten (10) business days. Both parties have the right to appeal the department chair's/school director's or the Dean of the Mennonite College of Nursing's (when applicable) decision by filing a written appeal within five (5) business days to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The Provost shall have a standing committee designated as the Final Course Grade Committee, which consists of five members (three faculty members and two students) appointed by the Provost (or designee). The Final Course Grade Committee will review all pertinent material and issue a recommendation to the Provost (or designee) within five (5) business days of the Committee's decision. The Provost's decision shall be final without further appeal.
Detailed procedures for submitting a grade challenge may be found on the Office of the Provost website.
This policy supersedes any provisions in the Code of Student Conduct.