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Students at Texas Southmost College may appeal final course grades which they consider unfair or inaccurate.
- The burden of proof lies with the Student and it is the Student’s responsibility to provide evidence the grade should be changed. Unless the Student demonstrates compelling evidence supporting a change of grade, the final grade issued by the faculty member responsible for the course will remain on the Student’s transcript.
- No appeals will be accepted with the desired resolution being anything other than a change of grade. Complaints must follow Texas Southmost College complaint procedures.
- Students who file frivolous appeals or who deviate from the approved process may have their appeal summarily dismissed.
- Students must submit appeals individually, group appeals will not be considered.
- If the Student fails to comply with the designated time frames, the appeal may be summarily dismissed.
- Only under conditions warranting exception will the time constraint for initiating the grade appeal process be extended. Exceptions might include unexpected call to military service, extreme health issues and severe life disruption.
- Requests for an exception to the time constraint require verifiable documentation and must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Vice President of Student Services who will grant or deny the exception.
Grade Appeal Procedures
Step 1
It is the responsibility of the Student to initiate the grade appeal process by contacting the Course Instructor of Record, no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the semester in which the grade was issued.
- The Course Instructor of Record may approve the appeal, deny the appeal, or work with the Student to reach a solution that is agreeable to both parties.
- If the Course Instructor of Record is no longer employed at Texas Southmost College, the Student will advance to Step 2 of the grade appeal process.
- If the Course Instructor of Record is still employed at Texas Southmost College but not currently teaching, the grade appeal will be delayed until the Course Instructor of Record returns to teach, as long as the Course Instructor of Record returns no later than the next full (fall or spring) semester.
- If the Student is not satisfied with the outcome of their meeting with the Course Instructor of Record, the Student will have 10 calendar days to proceed to step 2 of the appeal process.
Step 2
It is the responsibility of the Student to advance their appeal to Step 2 of the grade appeal process by submitting a written appeal to the appropriate Academic Dean, no later than 10 calendar days following their meeting with the Course Instructor of Record.
- The Student must submit a written appeal, along with all supporting documentation, to the Academic Dean. The appeal must be in English and typed using size 12 Times New Roman or Arial font.
- The Academic Dean will forward the written appeal and supporting documentation to the Course Instructor of Record; requesting a written response.
- The Course Instructor of Record will have 10 calendar days to provide a written response, along with all supporting documentation, to the Academic Dean.
- The Academic Dean will meet with the Student to review the response from the Course Instructor of Record. The Academic Dean cannot initiate a change of grade or offer a solution to the Student without consent from the Course Instructor of Record, unless the Course Instructor of Record is no longer employed at Texas Southmost College.
- If the Student is not satisfied with the outcome of their meeting with the Academic Dean, the Student will have 10 calendar days to proceed to Step 3 of the appeal process.
Step 3
It is the responsibility of the Student to advance their appeal to Step 3 of the grade appeal process by contacting the Office of the Vice President of Student Services, no later than 10 calendar days following their meeting with the Academic Dean.
- The Student must notify the Office of the Vice President of Student Services that they would like to advance to Step 3 of the appeal process.
- The Office of the Vice President of Student Services will contact the Academic Dean to request the following documents:
- Written appeal and supporting documentation submitted by the Student.
- Written response and supporting documentation submitted by the Course Instructor of Record.
- Written opinion from the Academic Dean.
- Upon receipt of the items above, the Office of the Vice President of Student Services will schedule the Student to appear before the Texas Southmost College Grade Appeal Committee at the next scheduled appeal meeting, providing the meeting is at least 15 calendar days from the date all the documents are received.
- The Grade Appeal Committee is chaired by the Vice President of Student Services or his/her designee, and consists of a minimum of two faculty representatives from each of the instructional divisions.
- To meet quorum, a minimum of five faculty members must be present at the meeting.
- The Grade Appeal Committee’s responsibility will be:
- To review the Student's written appeal and evidence; to consider the written response and evidence from the Course Instructor of Record; and to consider the written opinion of the Academic Dean.
- To hear testimony from the Student, Course Instructor of Record, and Academic Dean; to corroborate documentary evidence. The Student, Course Instructor of Record, or Academic Dean may decline to attend the meeting.
- To inform the Student, Course Instructor of Record, and Academic Dean of their decision. The Grade Appeal Committee may initiate a grade change or offer a solution to the Student without consent from the Academic Dean or Course Instructor of Record.
The decision of the Grade Appeal Committee is final and concludes the approved Texas Southmost College grade appeal process.
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