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If the student complaint is grade-related, the student should proceed with the Final Grade Appeal process detailed below:
Grade appeals must be initiated no later than 10 days after the beginning of the next semester.
The purpose of the Final Grade Appeal is to provide students with a procedure to grieve a course grade. Students who believe that their final grade does not reflect an accurate academic evaluation of their work may initiate a grade change appeal in accordance with provisions of this process. All academic rights and privileges of faculty are to be honored in this process.
A faculty member’s judgement of the academic performance of the student cannot be appealed. However, an appeal can be made based upon factors other than the academic judgment of the instructor such as, but not limited to, the following:
- The instructor made an error or did not calculate the grade as stated in the course outline;
- Significant deviation from grading procedures stated on the course outline;
- The student, through no fault of their own, may not have been accorded the same opportunity to complete the requirements for the course, such as time, access to materials or access to the faculty member as other students in the course.
- Informal Process: The student should make every possible effort to resolve the complaint by discussing it with the faculty member or other people concerned. Most grade appeals are resolved at this step.
- Formal Process:
a. Step One: If grade appeals are not resolved between the student and faculty member, the student must submit the Butler County Community College Final Course Grade Appeal Form to the Dean of the Division in which the course is listed.
i. The Dean may consult with the faculty member before giving the student a written judgment on the appeal or may advise the student on alternate strategies in resolving the situation.
ii.The Dean will respond in writing to the student, preferably within seven days.
b. Step Two: Complaints not resolved between the Dean and the student can be submitted in writing to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) for further review. Include the Final Course Grade Appeal Form and the Dean’s response with your written complaint.
i. The VPAA will conduct an appropriate investigation that may include meeting with the student, faculty member and Dean.
ii. The VPAA will respond in writing, preferably within seven days. The written response will become part of the student’s record.
iii. The decision of the VPAA shall be final unless within five college days after receipt of the decision, the student files a letter with the President.
c. Step Three: The President will review the matter to ensure the process and documentation was followed and render a decision.
If you have any questions in regard to how to complete this form or acquire assistance, please contact the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs office.
If the student complaint is academic in nature, but not grade related, the student should proceed with the formal process detailed below:
Student complaints and academic grievances must be initiated no later than 10 days after the beginning of the next semester.
- Formal Process:
a. Step One: Student complaints not resolved between the student and faculty/staff/administrator or other people concerned must be submitted in writing to the appropriate Dean using the Butler County Community College Student Grievance Form.
i. The Dean may consult with the faculty member or other people concerned before giving the student a written judgment on the appeal; or
ii. The Dean may advise the student on alternate strategies in resolving the situation.
b. Step Two: Complaints not resolved between the Dean and the student must be submitted in writing to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
i. The VPAA will conduct an appropriate investigation that may include meeting with the student, faculty member, Dean, or other people concerned.
ii. The VPAA will respond in writing, preferably within seven days. The written response will become part of the student’s record
c. Step Three: The decision of the VPAA shall be final unless, within five college days after receipt of the decision, the student files a letter with the President.
d. Step Four: The President will review the matter to ensure the process and documentation was followed and render a decision.
If students reside outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are enrolled in online courses through Butler County Community College they are expected to follow the Student Complaint & Academic Grievance Policy outlined above. If the issue is not or cannot be resolved after all internal procedures have been exhausted, the student may file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the designated State Authorization Portal entity for Pennsylvania, or the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (the College’s primary accrediting agency). This is for compliance and follows the Federal Department of Education’s State Authorization Regulations.
Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 12th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Telephone: 717-787-4313, Fax: 717-772-3622
http://www.education.state.pa.us
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
3624 Market St, 2nd Floor West
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (267) 284-5011, Fax: (215) 662-5501
http://www.msche.org
For a complete listing of all State Authorization Portal Entity Contacts, please visit: https://nc-sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts/
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