Submit a Formal Grade Appeal

Faculty Response 

Academic Dean Response

Purpose

In the interest of due process, the College provides an appeal process for a student who believes that a recorded final grade does not accurately reflect his/her academic performance in a course. Grades can be appealed in instances where a student believes that an inaccurate final grade has been issued such as arbitrary grade issuance, inconsistent grading practice, or calculation error. For issues of academic dishonesty, please refer to the College's Student Code of Conduct.

Policy

As the initiator of the process, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the grade is inaccurate. It is incumbent upon the student, while attempting to resolve the issue, to strictly adhere to the established appeal procedure.

Procedure

The following procedure must be completed in consecutive order within the published guidelines and timeframes or the appeal will not be reviewed. In order to support effective resolution, the student should clearly outline how the appeal meets the aforementioned conditions of a grade appeal as well as the intended outcome being sought. Use of the Grade Appeal Form is required. To provide a better understanding regarding the grade appeal policy, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section has been developed to support students, faculty and administrators.

1. Level One – Informal Procedure: Student contacts the faculty member in an attempt to resolve the issue. This must happen by email, phone, or in person within 30 calendar days after the course has ended. At the same time, student must email gradeappeal@bhcc.edu, to leave their name and intent to appeal and to receive guidance on the process. The faculty member has 10 calendar days to respond to the complaint.
2. Level Two – Formal Procedure: If student is not able to resolve concerns informally with the faculty member, he/she may proceed to level two by completing an online Academic Grade Appeal Form.  Under type of action being requested, choose Level 2, Step 1 formal grievance.

Student will be notified in writing by the Student Grievance Officer (SGO), confirming the receipt of the grievance. Student has 10 calendar days of receiving notification to either submit additional documentation to support the grievance or request that the grievance be processed (Level 2-Step 1).

The SGO will deliver the grievance and all supporting documents, if any, to the faculty member within 5 days. The faculty member will forward a written response to the SGO or respond online within 10 days of receipt of the grievance.  The SGO will then forward the faculty member’s response to student within 5 days.

If student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s decision and wishes to file a final appeal (supervisor review), a Level Two, Step Two grievance, the student has 10 calendar days to file another appeal. Under type of action being requested, student must choose Level 2, Step 2 formal grievance. The Academic Dean will investigate and forward a written decision to the student and the faculty member within 10 days of receipt of the grievance.  This decision is final and cannot be appealed further. For more information, contact gradeappeal@bhcc.edu or call the Dean of Students Office at 617-228-2408.