Final Examinations and Change of Grade

[Section IV C of Handbook]

1. Final Examinations

The schedule of final examinations is prepared by the Registrar and is posted on the Registrar's web site. Deviations from this schedule can be made only with prior approval of the dean of the college and must be cleared with the Scheduling Office. 

A formal final examination, written in class, will be required in all courses where a letter grade is given unless the instructor, at his/her/their discretion, substitutes some other method for bringing the course into focus and for evaluating the students. In either case the instructor will continue to meet his/her/their class at the time the final examination is scheduled either to give the test or to receive the work that takes its place; exceptions will be made only with prior approval of the department chair or other appropriate academic officer.

If an instructor feels that the course objectives can be better met by some method other than a final examination, he/she/they will announce this plan to the class at the beginning of the semester, and, along with his/her/their statement of attendance policy, inform the department chair in writing of their intentions. 

Final examinations may not be given, nor final projects in lieu of an examination be required at any time prior to the regular examination period. Students are entitled to this period for examinations and project purposes, and should be so informed. If a student is made to take an examination or submit a final project prior to the stated final examination period, he/she/they should appeal to the dean of their college.

2. Correction of Grade

A grade reported to the Registrar becomes official as soon as it is reported. A permanent grade may be changed only if an error has been made. The only exception is that if the instructor's chair or dean recommends a change on the basis of evidence presented during the course of a student grievance procedure, the instructor may be permitted (but is not required) to make the recommended change. (See related policy in Section IV.B.3) 

In reporting a change of grade (other than I or PR) to the Registrar, the instructor must present an explanation for the grade change. Copies of the change of grade request will be sent to the instructor, their chair, and their dean by the Registrar.

3. Grade Appeals

1. The instructor assigned to a class has full responsibility for grading, subject to the appeal process described in this section. In unusual circumstances (e.g., death, incapacity, or indefinite inaccessibility of the instructor) the departmental chair is responsible for the final grade, subject to appeal by the student to the dean as described in this section. Students are encouraged to initiate grade appeals immediately after receiving notice of the letter grade. Final grade appeals must be initiated no later than 21 business days from the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester immediately following assignment of the final grade.
2. A student appealing a grade must make a concerted effort to resolve the matter with the instructor of the course. Failing such a resolution, the student may appeal the grade to the department chair. The chair must attempt a resolution acceptable to both the student and the instructor but does not have the authority to change the grade. The department chair may enlist departmental grievance procedures to assist in resolving the grade appeal at the departmental level. The student shall be notified of the departmental decision within 21 business days of the initial appeal. If the student wishes to appeal the departmental decision, the chair shall forward the appeal to the dean of the college within 14 business days for action. If the chair is the instructor, the student appeals directly to the dean.
3. In cases not involving academic misconduct, the burden of proof for a grade change is on the student.   If the dean concludes that the student has insufficient grounds for an appeal, there can be no further appeal by the student. The dean has 21 business days from the time of receiving the appeal to decide whether the appeal has sufficient grounds or not and to notify the student of his/her/their decision. If the dean concludes that sufficient grounds do exist for an appeal, the dean shall appoint a faculty committee of five members to consider the case. The committee shall have 21 business days from the time of receiving the appeal to reach a decision concerning the appeal. If a majority on the committee decide that the grade should be changed and the instructor does not accept the recommendation, the committee can authorize the Registrar to change the grade. The decision of the committee is not subject to further appeal. In appeal cases in which the dean is the instructor, the role of the dean will be assumed by the Provost. In those appeal cases involving courses taught by faculty from more than one college, the Dean of University College will review the appeal and, if necessary, appoint the appeals committee. 
4. In cases of academic misconduct, both the student and instructor must document their allegations and refutations in writing, including any supporting material (e.g. copies of the student’s work, copies of other materials used but not referenced in the student’s work, etc.) relevant to the case.  Such written evidence will be reviewed in accordance with the grade appeal process followed by the college or unit. 
5. In all cases, the appeals process should be completed within 90 calendar days (excluding summers) of the initial appeal. Failure to notify appropriate parties of decisions or actions within the specified period should result in automatically advancing appeals to the next stage of the process. Exceptions for failing to initiate an appeal, to reach a decision, or to take action within the specified period may be made for unusual circumstances such as documented medical emergencies, family emergencies, or acts of nature.