Grade or Other Academic Appeal

Faculty and administrative staff at Savannah Technical College are entrusted with the authority and duty to apply professional judgment when evaluating student performance and progress. The College holds responsibility for establishing and upholding academic standards, while ensuring that all students are treated equitably in matters related to academic achievement and advancement. Students will be given a fair opportunity to request a review of any decision they believe adversely affects their academic performance or progress, in accordance with the College’s established policies and procedures.

A student may appeal a final grade or other academic decision by sending written correspondence by email utilizing their student email and including their student ID, in the following manner:

Step 1: The student may appeal in writing to the instructor or Department Head, who awarded the grade or made the academic decision. The student is to explain the reason for the appeal and should provide any examples, documentation to support the appeal, such as communication with the instructor, assignments, or other supporting documentation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the appeal must be filed within two weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action for which they are complaining. The instructor will reply with a return decision to the student in writing after review of the appeal within a reasonable amount of time.

Step 2: If the consultation with the instructor or Department Head does not resolve the appeal, a student may appeal to the academic dean by filing a written request for review. The student is to explain the reason for the appeal and should provide any examples, documentation to support the appeal, such as communication with the instructor, assignments, or other supporting documentation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, this request for review must be filed within four weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action complained of. The dean will reply with a return decision to the student in writing after review of the appeal within a reasonable amount of time.

Step 3: If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the academic dean, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The student is to explain the reason for the appeal and should provide any documentation to support the appeal, such as communication with the instructor, assignments, or other supporting documentation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, this request for review must be filed within six weeks from the date the student learned or reasonably should have learned of the grade or other action complained of. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will reply with a return decision to the student in writing after review of the appeal within a reasonable amount of time. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall be final.