Grade Appeal Process | MCC

Current Students

Grade Appeal Process

Steps for filing an academic grievance or grade appeal:

If a student encounters a problem in a class and wishes to file a grievance, the student should first speak with the instructor and try to resolve the issue. If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the student should follow the remaining steps outlined below:

  1. The student should contact the instructor’s Division Chair in writing (email is acceptable) as soon as possible following the alleged academic violation. If the semester has already ended, the student must submit the written grievance within five business days of the start of next semester.
  2. If the appropriate Chair is not able to resolve the matter to the student’s satisfaction within fifteen business days, the Chair will notify the Dean of Academic Affairs or the Provost in writing.
  3. If the Academic Dean or Provost cannot resolve the issue to everyone’s satisfaction within fifteen business days, the student will be notified in writing. The student may then request in writing a hearing before the College Appeals Board (CAB). The student has ten business days to submit this request.
  4. In the case of a grade appeal after a class has been completed, the CAB may only change the student’s final grade to a P (passing) or W (withdrew).
  5. Upon receipt of a CAB appeal, the Provost shall forward the appeal to the CAB Chair. Within ten business days, the Chair will convene the CAB to make the following determinations based on the written appeal document(s):
    1. Whether or not any conflicts of interest arise with the regular members of the CAB. If conflicts are found, the respective alternates will be used instead.
    2. Whether or not the reason for the appeal is within the CAB’s authority to hear. The Student Code of Conduct and this procedure describe the issues that may be heard by the CAB.
    3. If the CAB finds it does not have authority to hear the appeal, the Chair will send written notice of the decision to the student and the Provost within four business days. This decision is final and not appealable.
  6. If the CAB decides the appeal is within their authority, then within five business days, the CAB chair shall invite the appropriate college representatives to provide written statements and any related records. These statements and records are due to be returned to the CAB within ten business days.
  7. The CAB then has ten business days to review the appeal and all the documentation to decide by majority vote whether to hold a hearing or decide the appeal based on the written documentation provided by each party. NOTE: No new matter may be appealed to the CAB which was not included in the student’s original formal written grievance to the administrator described in number 2 above.
  8. The CAB will notify the student and the college representatives in writing within five business days of their decision. If the CAB makes a decision based on the written documentation, that decision is final, and the student has no further right to appeal within the system.
  9. If the CAB decides to hear the case, it will establish procedures and a schedule. All parties shall have the opportunity to appear at the hearing and to present oral and written evidence in support of their positions. The CAB may call for further evidence as it deems appropriate. The hearing shall be held, and a final decision made by the CAB within 20 business days after the decision to hear the case. The CAB’s decision is final, and the student has no further right to appeal within the system.