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Grade Appeal Policy

Grade Appeal Policy

Grade Appeal Process in the Department of Mathematical Sciences

The right to appeal final course grades is governed by the NJIT Grade Appeal Policy:

http://www5.njit.edu/facultysenate/sites/facultysenate/files/lcms/docs/2...

This document concerns appeal of final grades in courses administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (DMS).   It does not modify the NJIT Grade Appeal Policy.  Rather it has a twofold purpose:

  1. Provide students with advice on avoiding the need for a formal appeal of the final grade.
  2. Provide specifics of how to make a formal appeal of the final grade for courses administered by DMS in the hopefully rare instances that appeal may be necessary.

The period when the course is in progress is the best and most effective time to address most issues arising in a course.  Addressing concerns at this time provides the widest range of options for optimizing the learning experience.  The first course of action should be to discuss the concern with the instructor.  Students should recognize that it is the instructor’s prerogative to determine course requirements and evaluate student performance consistent with the course syllabus. If conditions occur during the semester that would serve as a legitimate basis for final grade appeal, such as unreasonable departures from the syllabus, and the conditions cannot be resolved through discussion with the instructor the situation should be brought to the attention of DMS through email to the department Chair at MathChair@njit.edu.

After the final grade is given if a student has questions or concerns regarding the final grade these should be addressed first to the instructor.   The students have a right to review their final exams and to know how their final grades were determined.  Note that the NJIT Grade Appeal Policy mandates that formal appeal is allowed only after the student has made a reasonable documented attempt to resolve the grade with the instructor. 

Formal appeal of the final grade is made by letter to the Chair of the department no later than the end of the third week of the semester subsequent to the grade posting. The letter must:

  • State succinctly, accurately and completely the cause for the appeal;
  • Include the name and number of the course;
  • Include the grade given;
  • Include the name of the instructor;
  • Include whether the grade given prevents the student from advancing.

Additionally, the submission should include as attachments:

  • A syllabus,
  • Relevant course materials,
  • Any correspondence (to and from the instructor) that supports the appeal.

Students should carefully consult the NJIT Grade Appeal Policy to verify that they have included all required information.  Appeals should be submitted to the DMS Departmental Offices in 606 Cullimore Hall during regular office hours and must include a completed and signed Grade Appeal Checklist:

Alternatively, appeals can be submitted electronically to MathChair@njit.edu.  Students should expect to be notified of the decision of the Chair (whether or not the appeal is deemed warranted) within one week.   When the appeal is warranted it is referred to the DMS Grade Appeal Committee and the chair of that committee will schedule a hearing date in accordance with the NJIT Grade Appeal Policy.

Updated: 2/11/2016