/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Faculty-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Faculty-Handbook.json

Grade Appeal Procedure

Eligibility for Appeal - While enrolled in a nursing class, a student may appeal a grade received in coursework, on a quiz or on an exam. This excludes missed assignments or missed exams/quizzes. Missed classes, exams, quizzes and assignments because of tardiness, unexcused absence or being removed from class cannot be appealed and will receive a zero.

Appeals must be initiated by the student within 48 hours of the grade being issued by requesting a meeting with the instructor.

Appeal Procedure

1. Student Review with Instructor: The student must first meet, within 48 hours of receiving the grade, with the instructor to discuss the grade and seek resolution. It is important and will make a difference that the student communicates the appeal with respect for the instructor and a professional attitude.
   1. Instructor Response: The instructor will provide a written response with the next steps within 48 hours of the student s initial outreach.
2. Nursing Advisor, Program Coordinator Appeal: If unresolved after the meeting with the instructor, the student may submit a written appeal to the Academic Advisor as a 2nd contact and the Program Coordinator as a 3rd contact within three (3) business days of initiating each appeal.
   1. Required Documentation: Appeals must include the original graded exam or assignment, the course syllabus, and any other relevant supporting materials.
3. Director of Nursing Appeal: If the student is not satisfied with the 2nd and 3rd level contact decision, they may escalate the appeal to the Director of Nursing within 24 hours of their last contact's decision. The student must formally request an appeal in writing to the Director of Nursing and provide supporting documentation.
4. Committee Review & Final Decision: Appeals to the Director of Nursing are reviewed and decided within 10 business days of the receipt of the appeal. 

NOTE: The grade decision is final and cannot be appealed outside of the Department of Nursing for course grades or assignment grades.

Student Responsibility

• It is the student's responsibility to initiate the appeal within the designated 48 hour timeframe and provide all necessary documentation; the original graded exam or assignment, the course syllabus, and any other relevant supporting materials.
• Late appeals or those without proper documentation will not be considered.
• Failure to follow the appeal process as outlined may result in automatic denial of the appeal.

Test Question Appeal Policy

Students may challenge individual test questions on written or computerized exams using the following process:

• Initiation: Students must initiate a meeting with the course instructor within 48 hours of the exam grade being posted.
  • Instructor Response: Instructors will provide a written response, with the next steps, within 48 hours of receiving the challenge.
• Challenge Submission: If the concern is unresolved after the meeting, the student may submit a Test Question Challenge Request to the instructor via email within three (3) business days of initiating the appeal.
• Documentation: The email must include the question number, a rationale for the challenge, and evidence-based support (e.g., course textbook, ATI, or other approved resources).