In accordance with the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, this policy describes the procedure by which a student of the University of the West may present his/her grievance on grades or grading practices.

However, the grade given to each student shall be determined by the instructor of the course and the determination of the student’s grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence, shall be final.

STEP 1: A student who believes the grade received was due to mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence shall meet with the faculty member to resolve his/her concern.

STEP 2: The student will obtain grade/grievance forms from the Office of Academic Affairs.

The student must return the grade grievance form to the Office of Academic Affairs within thirty school days after the completion of the course for which the grievance was filed. A school day is defined as any day Monday through Friday that all normal college business is conducted, both in the classroom and in the administrative offices. All weekend and university holidays are excluded.

The Assistant to Dean of Academic Affairs will meet with the student and review the grade grievance form. If the student wishes to pursue the grievance, the Assistant to Dean of Academic Affairs will sign and date the form.

The student will present a copy of the grievance to the Assistant to Dean of Academic Affairs, who may schedule a meeting of all concerned if appropriate. The Assistant to Dean of Academic Affairs shall make a recommendation to the parties within five school days.

STEP 3: If either party is dissatisfied with the recommendation of the Assistant to Dean of Academic of Affairs., he/she may appeal the matter to the Dean of Academic Affairs or designee within ten school days of each recommendation. The Dean of Academic Affairs or designee shall call a meeting with the student and the faculty member. The Dean of Academic Affairs or designee shall make a recommendation to the parties within five school days.

STEP 4: If either party is dissatisfied with the recommendation of the Dean of Academic Affairs, he/she may appeal the matter to the President within ten school days of each recommendation. If a faculty member is neither satisfied with a recommendation and acts on it, nor appeals it, The Dean of Academic Affairs will forward the matter to the President. The President will review the Recommendation Report and if needed, request persons involved in the grievance to meet.

The President shall make a recommendation within five school days. If either party is dissatisfied with the recommendation of the President, an appeal of the President’s recommendation may be submitted to the Board of Trustees by either party. The appeal must be submitted within ten school days after the President’s recommendation. The Board may review

an appeal for two consecutive Board meetings, and if needed, request persons involved in the grievance to appeal before making a final determination of the matter at the university levels.