The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a consistent procedure by which students may seek review of final grades assigned in courses at Benedictine University. Only final course grades may be appealed. The policy recognizes the right and responsibility of faculty members to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating academic performance and the right of students to have their academic performance judged in a fair and impartial manner.

Grounds for Grade Appeal

A student may appeal a final course grade only on the grounds that:

1. The grade was assigned based on a miscalculation or clerical error.
2. The grading standards for the course were not clearly articulated by the instructor in the syllabus, or the grade was assigned in a manner inconsistent with articulated standards.

Grade Appeal Process

At all levels of review, the burden of demonstrating that a grade should be changed rests with the student. The deadline for submission of any grade appeals is the end of the semester or quarter following the term in which the grade was originally received. Once a student has graduated and their degree is conferred grade changes are not permitted.

Students must follow these steps in this order when appealing a final grade:

1. First, discuss the final grade with the faculty member; bring forward any facts or circumstances that might be pertinent to the faculty member’s evaluation and decision.
2. If there is not a satisfactory resolution the student may seek consultation with the department chair/program director.
3. If there is still no satisfactory resolution the student may appeal to the dean of the college.
4. If there is still no satisfactory resolution, the student may appeal to the Provost. The Provost’s decision is final.