Academic Appeal Policy

1. Introduction
   • The basic principles for the Academic Appeal Policy at CCTCMA are as the follows:
     • Fairness will be applied to all parties.
     • Academic decisions should be made as close as possible to the level of academic expertise.
     • A final grade appeal is solely based on the academic merits of a student’s work.
     • A student must have one additional opportunity to review a final grade assignment after consulting with an instructor.
     • In the spirit of co-operation, students are not permitted representation of legal counsel.
2. The appeal of Final Grade
   • There are three grounds for initiating an appeal of a final grade:
     • The final grade was not calculated on all of the work completed and as indicated in the course outline.
     • There was a miscalculation of the final grade, or
     • There was an alleged unfair assessment of academic performance.
3. Appeal Process
   • There are three levels to final grade appeal:
     • Level 1: Consultation with Instructor
       • A student who wishes to challenge the final grade awarded in a course should discuss the matter with the instructor before initiating a formal grade review or appeal.
     • Level 2: Final Grade Review – Member of Final Grade Appeal Committee
       • A formal request for a Final Grade Review must be submitted to the Office no later than 20 business days after the end of the final exam period in which the grade was awarded.
       • A member of the Final Grade Appeal Committee is selected to conduct the review.
       • The member of the Final Grade Committee has the authority to take any action it feels is appropriate in adjudicating the grade review.
       • The member of the Final Grade Committee is responsible for notifying the student, and instructor in writing, of the decision
     • Level 3: Final Grade Appeal – President and/or Chair of Final Grade Appeal Committee
       • A formal request for a Final Grade Appeal must be submitted to the Office no later than 10 business days after the decision from Level 2.
       • The final grade appeal will be considered if, and only if the President is satisfied that there is ground for a level 3 appeal.
       • The Final Grade Appeal Committee is established and composed of two faculty members and one student who is unfamiliar with the dispute and does not know the appellant.
       • The Final Grade Committee has the authority to take any action it feels is appropriate in adjudicating the grade appeal.
       • The Chair is responsible for notifying the student, and instructor in writing, of the decision.