Academic Grievances by Students
What is an Academic Grievance?
An "academic grievance" is a claim by an enrolled student receiving academic credit for a course that a specific academic decision or action has violated published policies and procedures, or has been applied to the grievant in a manner different from that used for other students.
Students wishing to appeal a grade or reverse an academic decision should always begin by meeting with the instructor initiating the grade or decision. Oftentimes, this meeting will result in a satisfactory outcome for the student and instructor. If the student and instructor are unable to resolve the issue, the student should meet with the instructor's department head. If the issue remains unresolved, students should follow the academic grievance process set forth below.
When to File an Academic Grievance
A student may appeal an assigned grade or a similar decision related to academic performance if the student has evidence or reason to believe a grade was assigned or a decision was made in a:
- malicious (intentionally harmful; spiteful);
- capricious (subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic);
- erroneous (containing error; mistaken; incorrect; wrong); or
- arbitrary (based on whim or personal preference, without reason or pattern; random) manner
The burden of proof shall be upon the student such that the student challenging the decision, action or final grade assigned has the burden of supplying evidence that proves that the instructor’s decision was incorrect. The preponderance of evidence standard will be utilized when evaluating appeals.
In cases where the academic decision is based on a deficiency in or a violation of a clinical or professional standard, the deficiency or violation may be considered sufficient proof to support an academic failure or dismissal notwithstanding a student’s success in other areas of academic performance.
To learn more, view JSU's Academic Grievance Process and Policy Information
Out-of-state Students
Out-of-state students taking Jax State distance education courses from an out-of-state location have additional resources available for unresolved grievances. This resource should be used only after appropriate university grievance procedures have been followed. If for some reason Jacksonville State University (JSU) is not able to resolve an issue, students may file a complaint with Mr. Ron Leonard, JSU's representative for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) or the student's home state's higher education agency. Please contact Mr. Leonard at Ron.Leonard@ache.edu or (334) 242-2211. For a list of all state agencies where to file a student complaint, see the State Authorization Guide. For more information regarding the types of grievances which are relevant to this resource, please review Section 4. Consumer Protection in the SARA Policy Manual.Jacksonville State University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education and is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.