Department of CommunicationStudents who have received grades from teachers in the Department of Communication which they consider to be unjust or unfair should follow the steps below in seeking a review of the grade. These steps are designed to bring an understanding of the course standards and the grade, not to dispute the ultimate right of an instructor to make such evaluations. Step 1 - Consultation with the Instructor Any student who believes that a final grade in a course is unfair must meet with the instructor of the course within a reasonable period following receipt of the grade. It is hoped that any dispute concerning the grade may be resolved at this meeting. Step 2 - Written Appeal to the Office of Academic Actions If the meeting between the student and course instructor is not productive in resolving the differences, the student should indicate the nature of the complaint in writing. This document should detail the evidence supporting the student's complaint. The written document should be submitted to Mr. Eugene Nissen, Assistant Dean of the LS&A Office of Student Academic Affairs. Assistant Dean Nissen will then forward the Appeal to the department for handling. Step 3 - Consultation with Departmental Chairperson The Chairperson of the department will meet with the student following notification from the Office of Academic Actions that the student's complaint has been received. The Chairperson will arrange a meeting with the student and with the teacher who gave the grade in question. If the Chairperson concludes that the complaint is justified he or she will counsel the teacher regarding appropriate steps which might be taken. On the other hand, if it is concluded that the complaint is not justified, the student will be so informed. Step 4 - Request for an Appeals Hearing If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the department chairperson the student may request, in writing, a hearing on the grade complaint. When the Chairperson receives the request, he or she will ask the members of the Student Affairs Committee to form a Hearing Board and make arrangements for a grade appeal hearing. Step 5 - Appearance before the Hearing Board The Hearing Board will be composed of five members of the Student Affairs Committee: three faculty members and two student members. Anyone of the five members of the Hearing Board may serve as chairperson for a grade appeal hearing. The Chairperson of the Board will inform the student filing the grade complaint of the time and place of the hearing. The hearing will be informal and will be closed to all except those directly involved. The Hearing Board shall establish its own procedures. Within 10 days following the hearing, the Chairperson of the Hearing Board will notify the student, the instructor, the departmental Chairperson and the LS&A Office of Student Academic Affairs of any decision it reaches. In those instances in which the student's complaint is upheld, the Hearing Board will ask the departmental Chairperson to assist in implementing the decision rendered by the members of the board. Step 6 - Appeal to the LS&A Office of Student Academic Affairs
Although decisions rendered by the Hearing Board are considered final, it
may be that a student or instructor believes hearing procedures were, in
some way, inappropriate. In those cases the student or instructor may appeal
to the College' Assistant Dean of the LS&A Office of Student Academic Affairs
for a review of the the procedures employed by the Hearing Board in reaching
its decision. Did
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