Contents
Catalog Links

Fall 2020 Trine Course Catalog

Grade Appeals

The awarding of grades is the prerogative of the classroom instructor. Faculty members are responsible for informing students of their grading policy. Grades become official when they are reported to the Registrar. If a faculty member discovers incorrectly reported grades, the error should be reported to the Registrar immediately. The appropriate department chair/program director must approve any adjustment of grades.

A student who disagrees with an assigned grade will take the following steps:

  1. Approach the professor and explain the problem.
  2. If the professor and student do not come to an agreement, the student should write a letter to the department chair/program director.
  3. If the department chair/program director mediation does not resolve the issue, the student should file a written appeal to the appropriate academic dean.

If the dean mediation does not resolve the issue, the student should file a written appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The appeal should set forth in detail the basis for the review and should be done by the midterm of the first regular term following the Trine University assignment of the grades. The student is responsible for presenting evidence to support his/her position. The ensuing decision of the VPAA is final. Records of each case shall be maintained in the office of the VPAA.

Student Grievance Procedure

Students are encouraged to voice concerns they have and should attempt, in the first instance, to resolve a concern by using a direct and informal approach. Concerns may be addressed with the support, involvement or intervention of university faculty or staff members. It is advisable to voice concerns as soon as possible and to seek informal resolution, if possible.

If however, a student feels that a complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily he/she should use the appropriate process to have the issue addressed and are encouraged to submit a Formal Complaint Form.

Anyone wishing to make a formal complaint must complete a Notice of Complaint found on the Trine University myPortal – Student Page, under Formal Complaint Form.

The Notice of Complaint will be filed with the VPAA’s Office who will forward it to the appropriate parties.

Formal Grievance Process

Step One: The Notice of Complaint will include the following student information:

  1. The date of submission
  2. The name of the student and his/her student ID number
  3. The local address of the student
  4. Facts and documentation supporting the nature of the complaint
  5. The local phone number
  6. Class status
  7. Explanation of complaint

This request must be submitted before the completion of the term following the incident.

Step Two: The vice president for academic affairs (or designee) will review the complaint and forward the complaint to the appropriate vice president who will be responsible for meeting with the concerned student. Action must be taken within 10 class days. If filing an appeal, the response must be filed within 10 class days of receiving the response letter.

Step Three: If a hearing before the Grievance Committee is warranted, the vice president must respond within 10 class days of receiving the appeal. All materials must be provided to the Committee by the student. They will hear the grievance, listen to the student and the witnesses, and forward a recommendation to the vice president within ten class days.

Step Four: The vice president will render a decision and will communicate that decision in writing to all entities involved in the grievance process within 10 class days. That decision will be considered final.

Assessment

The academic assessment process at Trine University is designed to measure the abilities and knowledge of students graduating from all degree programs. It also measures student satisfaction with the program. Sometimes students will be asked to reply to surveys or questionnaires that rate the quality of instruction, the level of satisfaction with career preparation, and the overall satisfaction of the Trine experience. Occasionally, anonymous samples of student coursework will be used in an assessment process.

Trine University is committed to providing quality educational experiences for our students. The information gathered through the assessment process provides information for continual improvement of our programs.