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Appeal of Failing Grades

Purpose of Policy: To investigate student appeals of a failing grade in a final grade on academic endeavors such as coursework, comprehensive examinations, dissertations or final doctoral oral examinations that he or she believes has been influenced or directed by criteria other than academic; attempt to achieve agreement between the student and the course faculty member concerning the grade in question; and render a recommendation to the Conway School of Nursing (CSON) Dean to uphold or reject the student appeal.

Note: This policy applies exclusively to CSON student final grade appeals. It does not cover student complaints, which are addressed under the CSON Complaint Policies and Processes. 

Functions:  The Academic Senate of the University provides a series of policies useful to committee functioning. These include:

  1. Appeal of Failing Grade Policy
  2. Procedures for Appeal of Failing Grades Within the Schools
  3. Grades and Academic Standing Policy (Graduate)
  4. Student Academic Dishonest Policy
  5. Student Academic Dishonesty Procedures

The Procedures for Appeal of Failing Grades Within the Schools stipulates that “Each school of the University shall have a standing committee on failing grades appointed by the dean and consisting of three faculty members and two students. If the school has both graduate and undergraduate components, one student shall be an undergraduate and the other shall be a graduate.” Further, “A majority vote of the full membership of the committee is required for all decision-making.” This policy specifies time frames for student grade challenges/appeals as well as general procedures for University Schools to follow. 

The following CSON Procedure clarifies the process for the Student Appeals Failing Grade (SAFG) Committee Chair and committee members:

The student appealing a failing grade must submit the CSON Standing Committee on Failing Grades Appeal Form (Appendix A) to the Dean, CSON.

  1. Once the Dean assigns the failing grade(s) appeal to the Chairperson of the SAFG Committee, the Chairperson and committee shall evaluate the appeal. The committee may affirm the decision of the instructor without need for a hearing if the committee deems the appeal to be frivolous or without merit, which shall be communicated by the chairperson in writing to the dean, the student, and the instructor.
  2. If the Committee does not reject the appeal as frivolous or without merit, the chairperson will address the student’s appeal by: :
    1. If applicable, contacting DSS to secure a written statement focused on the basis of the appeal.
    2. Sending a copy of the original appeal and statement and any subsequent supplementary written statements to the instructor, who shall be requested to respond in writing to the original appeal and statement, as well as any supplementary statement.
    3. Developing the objective narrative for committee review.
    4. Convening the committee, discuss the content of the objective narrative, documents submitted by the course faculty member, etc.
    5. Inviting witnesses as identified by the student and/or the course faculty member.
    6. Note: The student and faculty members shall be invited to present at meetings that are called by the Chairperson.
  3. The Committee should attempt to achieve agreement between the student and the course faculty member concerning the grade in question. Such an agreement effectively nullifies the appeal/complaint. If no agreement is reached, the Committee shall decide the matter and either grant the appeal or reject the appeal.
  4. A majority vote of the full membership of the committee is required for a decision.
  5. The Chairperson drafts a letter to the Dean communicating the decision for committee review and approval.
  6. The Chairperson drafts a letter for the Dean to edit/send to the student based on the recommendation of the committee.
  7. Note: Once the Chairperson receives the student appeal from the CSON Dean, the Committee should complete its work within two weeks and render its recommendation to the CSON Dean.

Membership of the CSON Standing Committee on Failing Grades: Appointed by the CSON Dean, the committee shall be comprised of the following:

Faculty: Three faculty members; the CSON Dean designates one as Chairperson.  Faculty membership may change depending on faculty availability and the need for faculty members to recuse themselves based on the student appeal.

Students: One graduate student and one undergraduate student

Meetings:  The Chairperson convenes committee members as indicated in response to student appeals.