Academic and Classroom Complaints
Grade Challenges
"Any student who believes that they have a grade grievance shall make a reasonable effort to resolve the matter through direct communication between the student and instructor. If the student’s concern cannot be resolved,they can file a formal grade challenge.
When challenging a grade assigned by an instructor, the burden of proof is on the student to provide evidence of:
- Mistake: an unintentional act, omission or error by the instructor or the college, such as an error in calculation or data entry, or
- Incompetence: a lack of ability, legal qualification, or fitness to conduct and fairly grade a course, which is usually pervasive and not restricted to one student or one incident, or
- Bad Faith: assigning a course grade that is not based on the grading system found in the course syllabus, changing the grading criteria to the detriment of student(s) without prior, documented notification, or not applying uniform grading criteria to all students within the same course, or
- Fraud: deliberately assigning a course grade in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain, material or otherwise.
Filing a Grade Challenge
To file a formal grade challenge contact the Office of Instruction and Student Development at 707-476-4109 in SS 203
Policy AP 5530 Student Rights & Grievances
Students may file a grievance in they have a reasonable belief that a decision or action hasadversely affected their status, rights, or privileges as a student.
College of the Redwoods Grievance Procedure follows a 2-step approach
- Informal Resolution Process
- Formal Grievance Process & Hearing
Informal Resolution
A student must make a reasonable, good faith attempt to resolve the matter through the informal grievance process before the formal process can be requested. At any point during the informal grievance process level, a student may also informally and orally present the complaint to the Grievance Officer.
- The student should discuss the problem directly with the person involved or see the grievance officer for assistance in problem resolution within sixty (60) instructional days from the date the student became aware of the problem/or the alleged act. Failure of the student to act within the above specified sixty (60) day period shall constitute a waiver of the right to pursue the matter further.
- If the problem cannot be resolved at the first step, the student shall discuss the problem with the immediate supervisor of the person against whom the complaint is directed. The immediate supervisor shall make every effort to resolve the problem with the student and the person being grieved. The supervisor will provide their decision in writing to the student.
- If the problem cannot be resolved at the second step, the student shall discuss the grievance with the next-level administrator within ten (10) working days from receiving a decision from the immediate supervisor.
If you need help identifying the correct supervidor or administrator please contact Stephanie Freyermuth at 707-476-4146 or stephanie-freyermuth@redwoods.edu
Formal Resolution
If the complaint cannot be resolved at the informal level, the student may then initiate a Formal Grievance Process by requesting a hearing.
- The student must deliver a "Statement of Complaint" and a "Request for Hearing" Form within 10 business days of receiving the written decision redered by the area supervisor
- The Grievance Officer will review the complaint, the supervisor's decision to see if there are sufficient grounds for for a hearing.
- If the Request for Grievance Hearing satisfies each of the requirements outlined in AP 5530, the College Grievance Officer shall schedule a grievance hearing.
- A hearing will be held to determine the validity of the complaint and what remedy, action, or dcision is necessary. For more information on the hearing process, click here.