The academic appeal process is established to ensure student fundamental fairness, equitable management of a student’s academic grievances, and adequate protection to the rights of all involved parties. The academic appeals process is limited in scope to address disputes related to an academic course failure. There is only one appeal per final course grade.
Other grievances or complaints are handled per the Student Complaints Policy.
The following is the procedure for appealing a failing course grade:
A student disputing a final course grade must email the instructor within three (3) business days of the posting of the official course grade. The student must be prepared to:
state the reason for the appeal,
provide any supporting evidence for the appeal, and
state the desired resolution.
If at any step in the process a student misses a due date required for responding to a decision or advancing an appeal to the next phase, the appeals process is terminated, and the grievance of dispute is closed.
The faculty member, with consultation with the Faculty Program Leader, then has three (3) business days to provide a final decision to the student, in writing, regarding the course grade and the appeal. If the student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s decision, the student has one (1) business day to move to step 2.
Within (1) business day of the resolution of step 1, the student may request a meeting, in writing, with the Academic Appeals Committee by contacting academicappeals@mccn.edu. Again, the student must provide:
a description of the academic issue the student is appealing (e.g., a course grade),
the reason for the appeal,
any supporting evidence including details of the communication with the faculty member, and
the desired resolution.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, the meeting will be held within three (3) business days from the date of the student's request. The Academic Appeals Committee should alert the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health about the situation in case the student contacts the Dean.
The Academic Appeals Committee will render a decision within one (1) business day following the meeting with written notification via email. If the student is still not satisfied with the committee’s decision, the student has one (1) business day to escalate their appeal to step 3.
Within one (1) business day of the Committee’s determination, the student may submit a written appeal directly to the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Dean will establish a determination meeting within four (4) business days.
During the appeals process, students are generally permitted to attend classes and clinical experiences until a decision is made unless it is determined by the Dean that there may be risks to patient safety.
Determinations by the Dean are final.
Hearings are conducted in closed sessions and are attended solely and exclusively by the:
Academic Appeals Committee members
the student who is appealing
faculty/individuals directly involved with the appeal
The student may ask a faculty or staff member to provide silent support during the hearing. The role of this support person is strictly to provide guidance and support to the student through the process. There is no discussion from this support person during the hearing.
The student and faculty member(s) may submit written statements and evidence prior to the hearing. The student and faculty member(s) both participate in the hearing and provide information and statements. The student may attend alone or with a silent support person, Following any opening statements, there will be time for questioning by Appeals Committee members. This process should generally mirror the hearing process used for Academic and Professional Conduct hearings.
The hearing may be conducted electronically. Hearings will be recorded.
The Chair of the Academic Appeals Committee shall notify all parties of their decision, in writing, within five (5) business days. The letter will be sent electronically through MCCN email. The appeals committee may consider additional relevant information from any party to the proceeding and then decide the appeal based upon the enhanced record. The decision of the appeals committee is final. The appeals committee may:
Uphold the original decision and/or actions by the Associate Dean;
Modify the decision/grade;
If new information is revealed in the hearing, refer the case back to the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health or new decision body for a rehearing.
All records regarding academic appeal filings, hearings, and decisions should be maintained on a college shared drive and managed by the Offices of Academic Affairs and Compliance in accordance with the College’s record retention policy (Policy 01.05.00).
Materials held as part of the student record may be reviewed by students upon request.