of

• 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.
A grade appeal shall be confined to charges of arbitrariness, prejudice or error affecting an individual student and may not
involve a challenge of an instructor’s grading standard. It would be unethical to change a grade for any reason not related to quality
of the student’s academic work. Grades cannot be appealed simply to receive or maintain a scholarship, fellowship, or any other
monetary award or recognition of distinction, such as the Dean’s List or other honors designations; to be eligible for a club or
organization; to maintain athletic eligibility; or to maintain a certain level of academic standing.
This grade appeal procedure applies only when a student initiates a grade appeal and not when the instructor decides to change
a grade on his or her own initiative. This procedure does not cover instances in which students have been assigned grades based on
academic dishonesty or academic misconduct, which are included in Cazenovia College’s Academic Honesty Policy.
The Grade Appeal Procedure strives to resolve a disagreement between student and instructor concerning the assignment of a
grade in a collegial manner. The intent is to provide a mechanism for the informal discussion of differences of opinion, and for the
formal adjudication by faculty only when necessary. In all instances, students who believe that an appropriate grade has not been
assigned must first seek to resolve the matter informally with the instructor of record. If the matter cannot be resolved informally,
the student must present his or her case in a timely fashion in the procedure outlined below.
Under normal circumstances, the student must initiate the grade appeal process by the end of the first week [1] of the regular
academic term following the term in which the disputed grade was received. Under unusual circumstances, deadlines may be
extended. If the college representative, at any step, fails to review and/or respond within the time limits provided, the student may
proceed to the next step. If the student fails to respond within the time limits provided, the appeal shall be deemed to have been
withdrawn.
PROCEDURE:
Grade appeals will be reviewed in the following manner.
Step One. An informal discussion will be held between the student and instructor of the course. This discussion should review the
grading standards for the course as well as how the student’s course work was evaluated using those standards. If the student is not
satisfied with the informal response provided by the instructor, he/she may proceed to Step Two.
Step Two. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the instructor of the class. This petition should include an account
of the nature of the problem, relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a
copy for his/her records. Within two weeks, the instructor will respond to the student in writing. If the student is not satisfied with
the response provided by the instructor, he/she may proceed to Step Three. In cases where the Division Chair is the faculty member
whose grade is being appealed, the student shall proceed to Step Three.
Step Three. If a student wishes to proceed to this step, its initiation must begin within 3 business days of the completion of Step
Two. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the appropriate Division Chair with a copy to the instructor. This
petition should include an account of the nature of the problem, a statement that an attempt was made to resolve this issue directly
with the instructor, relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for
his/her records. The Division Chair will convene a College Grade Appeals Committee, consisting of the Division Chair, the
Program Director and one other faculty member, which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Division Chair. The manner of
appointment and number of members on the College Grade Appeals Committee shall be determined by the Division Chair. The
Division Chair will serve as the chairperson of the College Grade Appeals Committee. Within two weeks, the Division Chair will
respond to the student in writing, the results of the College Grade Appeals Committee’s response, with a copy to the instructor of
the class. If the student is not satisfied with the response provided by the Division Chair, he/she may proceed to Step Four.
Step Four. If a student wishes to proceed to this step, its initiation must begin within 3 business days of the completion of Step
Three. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the Vice President for Academic Affairs with copies to the Division
Chair and instructor of the class. This petition should include an account of the nature of the problem, a statement that an attempt
was made to resolve this issue directly with both the instructor and the Division Chair, all relevant information which supports the
appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for his/her records. Copies of all materials presented in this matter
shall be forwarded to the Vice President, upon request, by the Division Chair. The decision of the Vice President for Academic
Affairs shall be communicated in writing to the student with copies to the instructor and Division Chair. This decision is final.
[1] A week consists of five normal college operating days when classes are held.
Academic Honesty
Academic success calls for strenuous individual and group efforts to progress intellectually. The academic measure of a college
career is in the level of knowledge, skills, and intellectual maturity achieved during completion of a degree program. One of the most
Academic Catalog | Cazenovia College | www.cazenovia.edu 39