2025-2026 Student Handbook

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Appeal of Capricious Final Grade

The following procedures are available only for review of alleged capricious grading, and not for review of the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of a student’s work. Capricious grading is limited to one or more of the following:

  1. The assignment of a final course grade to a particular student on some basis other than performance in the course.
  2. The assignment of a final course grade to a particular student by a substantial departure from the instructor’s standards announced during the term which are not uniformly applied to others in the class. The assessment of the quality of the student’s academic performance is solely and properly the professional responsibility of the RVC faculty. It is essential for the standards of the academic programs at RVC and the integrity of the degrees conferred that these professional judgments are not subject to pressures or interference from any source.

If a grade concern does not meet one of the two criteria listed, a student may submit a general complaint for review to the Dean of Students Office.

Process For Capricious Final Grade Appeal

A student who wishes to appeal a final course grade which he/she feels has been capriciously given should follow the steps below. Grades may be appealed no later than the beginning of the fourth week of the academic term or summer session which directly follows the term in which the grade involved was awarded.

 

  1. A student who wishes to appeal a capricious final grade must first meet with the faculty member to review the criteria applied in assigning that grade.
  2. After this initial review, if the problem is not resolved, the student may next appeal in writing to the supervising Dean. Once the appeal is read, the Dean will meet with the faculty member to review the criteria applied to the student’s performance in assigning the capricious grade. When the faculty member and the Dean have reached a decision, the Dean will communicate that decision in writing to the student.
  3. If the problem is still not resolved, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for further review. When the faculty member and the vice president have reached a decision, they will communicate the decision in writing to the student.
  4. In the event the matter is not resolved, the student may file a petition with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) requesting a hearing by the Grade Review Committee. All decisions of this committee are final. The Grade Review Committee (GRC) Process is as follows:
    1. A student must submit in writing their request for a hearing to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO).
    2. The CAO, or their designee, will convene the GRC within 30 business days from the request.
  5. The committee will consist of a Dean (from outside the academic department) and two (2) faculty members (one from the same academic discipline and the other from outside the academic discipline). All three (3) voting members of the GRC will be selected by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), or their designee. The Vice President of Student Affairs will facilitate the committee as a non-voting member.
    1. The Student will meet with the committee individually to present their appeal and any pertinent documentation.
    2. The faculty member, who assigned the final grade, will then independently meet with the committee and present the criteria they applied in assigning the final grade.
    3. The committee will reach a decision in closed session immediately following the hearing. The Vice President of Student Affairs will inform the student in writing regarding the decision of the committee, within five (5) business days. The decision of the Grade Review Committee is final.