/Institutions/Illinois-Valley-Community-College/json/2022-2023/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Illinois-Valley-Community-College/json/2022-2023/Student-Handbook.json

Student Academic Complaints

As members of the College community, students have the right to express their opinions as to the fair treatment of their academic achievement. Students who wish to dispute a grading matter, or another academic matter (e.g. violation of the plagiarism policy) related to their courses, shall express these concerns to the appropriate faculty member as follows:

1. The student should discuss the matter with the faculty member in an informal manner.
2. When feasible, the initial informal meeting between the student and faculty member should occur within five (5) class days (normally Monday through Friday when classes are in session) after notification of the grading matter or other academic matter by the instructor.
3. If the complaint is not resolved after the informal discussion, the student may appeal informally (usually a conference), to the Dean of the faculty member involved. Where feasible, this appeal to the Dean should be made within five (5) class days of the informal discussion with the faculty member.
4. If the nature of the complaint is personal, involving a faculty member directly and his/her behavior or demeanor, the student may appeal informally directly to the faculty member's Dean as outlined above, bypassing the informal discussion directly with the faculty member. The student should understand that anonymity cannot and usually will not be protected.
5. If the complaint is not resolved after the normal informal discussion, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of the faculty member involved within five (5) class days after the informal discussion. In filing the written complaint, the student may request a meeting with the Dean.
6. The Dean shall review the complaint and respond in writing to the student within five (5) class days after receiving the student's written statement.
7. If the results of the Dean's review are unsatisfactory to the student, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within five (5) class days of receiving the written response of the dean. The student may request a meeting with the Vice President.
8. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall issue a written response to the student within five (5) class days of receipt of the student's appeal.
9. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall be considered final with regard to student academic complaints.