Appealing a Grade

An awarded grade shall be final. A change of grade, however, may be permitted under certain exceptional circumstances. The Provost will evaluate appeals concerning a change of grade only if the following steps and procedures have been observed:

• Step 1: The student shall seek a conference with and/or forward a written appeal to the Instructor awarding the grade. This step shall occur as soon as possible but definitely no later than the end of the fourth week of the semester following that in which the grade was awarded.
• Step 2: If the Instructor is no longer at Fisk or if the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the conference in Step 1, an appeal may be made to the chair of the department in which the course was offered. Such appeal shall be made no later than two weeks after the meeting in Step 1 and no later than the end of the sixth week of the semester following that in which the grade was awarded. This appeal should be made in writing by the student giving all reasons and providing all documents in support of the change of grade. Requests that do not include specific reasons and supporting documents will not be considered. The chair must notify the student regarding the result of the appeal within 30 days after the written request is submitted.
• Step 3: If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process in Step 2, an appeal may be made to the School Dean in which the course was offered. This appeal should be made in writing by the student giving all reasons and providing all documents in support of the change of grade. Requests that do not go through Step 2 and that do not include specific reasons and supporting documents will not be considered. The School Dean must notify the student regarding the result of the appeal within 18 days after the written request was submitted.
• Step 4: If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process in Step 3, a final appeal may be made to the Office of the Provost. This appeal should be made in writing by the student giving all reasons and the summary of the outcomes in Step 1 through 3. Requests that do not go through Step 1 through 3 will not be considered. After careful review of the file, the Office of the Provost will notify the petitioner of the final decision.