Grading Policies
Academic Complaint
A student with a specific complaint about a course should, where appropriate, speak directly with the faculty member concerned. If such a conversation would be inappropriate under the circumstances, the student should formally communicate with the Program Chair in whose program the course resides. This communication must occur within 60 days from the time the grade is posted in the Registrar’s Office.
If the matter is not resolved with the Program Chair, the student should submit a letter to the appropriate Academic Dean. This letter should include the specific reason(s) for setting aside the decision of the Program Chair.
Appeal of a Final Course Grade
The goal of the grade appeal policy is to establish a clear, fair process by which students can appeal a final course grade that they believe has been awarded in a manner inconsistent with university policies or that has resulted from calculation errors on the part of the instructor.
Appeals are to be based upon one or both of the following factors:
- An error was made in grade computation
- The instructor departed substantially, in determining the grade, from his or her previously articulated, written standards (i.e. course syllabus, rubrics, etc.), without notifying students.
Only the final course grade may be appealed. The grade assigned by the instructor is assumed to be correct and the student appealing the grade is to justify the need for a change of the grade assigned.
It is incumbent upon a student to initiate the process within 60 days from the time the final grade is posted in the myWilmU Portal.
Appeals Procedure
A student with a specific complaint about a course should, when appropriate, have a discussion with the faculty member concerned. If such a conversation would be inappropriate under the circumstances, or the instructor and student cannot resolve the appeal, the student should formally communicate in writing with the program chair who oversees the course.
This communication is to include:
- A statement addressing how the appeal meets one or both of the two criteria necessary for a formal appeal.
- A description of the outcome of the informal discussion process between the student and instructor.
- Any relevant documents the student would like to be reviewed as part of the appeal process.
The Program Chair or designee may request additional materials from the student.
The Program Chair or designee is to discuss this matter with the faculty member and student and will provide the student with written notification of the outcome of this step.
If there is no mutually agreed upon resolution between the student and the Program Chair, and the student wishes to pursue the matter further, he or she is to submit a written appeal to the Academic Dean or designee.This letter should include the student’s specific reason(s) for setting aside the decision of the Program Chair.
The Dean will respond to the student in writing regarding the results of this appeal.
Request for a Hearing—Final Course Grade or Academic Complaint
If there is a question about the decision of the Academic Dean regarding the appeal of a final course grade or an academic complaint, a student can register a grievance in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs to determine if the matter warrants a hearing before the Academic Review Committee. This letter is to include the specific reason(s) for taking the student’s grievance beyond the Academic Dean. The Assistant Vice President or Vice President of Academic Affairs will decide whether or not a hearing is appropriate. If appropriate, the Academic Review Committee will be convened and a copy of the student’s letter will be forwarded to the Committee. Should the Assistant Vice President or Vice President determine that a hearing is not warranted, the student will be so informed within 10 business days. The decision of the Academic Review Committee, the Assistant Vice President or the Vice President will be final and written communication of the committee’s decision will be sent to the student.
Probation, Suspension and Academic Standing
A student is expected to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. The University has structured this policy to provide numerous opportunities for student intervention and success. All students are strongly encouraged to utilize the numerous academic support services provided by the University. However, failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress may result in academic probation or suspension, to be determined by the Academic Review Committee.
Undergraduate
An undergraduate student will be considered to have unsatisfactory academic standing if the cumulative grade point average falls below the following minimum requirements.
| Credit Hours Earned | Cumulative GPA (CGPA) |
|---|---|
| 1-30 | 1.6 |
| 31-60 | 1.8 |
| 61-120 | 2.0 |
(Student athletes must check with the Athletic Director or Academic Advisor for specific GPA restrictions.)
The Academic Review Committee will meet after each block (every 8 weeks) to review academic records. The Committee may take the following actions for students who have an unsatisfactory CGPA.
- First occurrence: Academic probation
- Second occurrence: Continued academic probation
- Third and subsequent occurrences: Continued academic probation or suspension
A student on Academic Probation is limited to a maximum load of 12 credit hours per semester (less, if recommended by the Academic Review Committee). Students placed on continued probation are required to consult with and seek approval from an Academic Advisor prior to enrolling in any courses. Academic suspension begins the next academic block.
A suspended student may be reinstated on a probationary status by presenting a written appeal to their college dean and receiving approval from the Academic Review Committee. The suspended student must wait one semester before any appeal is written.
Any student who receives an institutional scholarship or tuition assistance from Wilmington University is required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average each semester. Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of the institutional award from the student's account for the following semester.
Graduate
A cumulative GPA (CGPA) of less than 3.0 leads to academic probation for graduate students:
The Academic Review Committee will meet after each block (every 8 weeks) to review academic records. The Committee may take the following actions for students who have an unsatisfactory CGPA.
- First occurrence: academic probation
- Second occurrence: continued academic probation
- Third and subsequent occurrences: continued academic probation or suspension
A graduate student on Academic Probation is limited to a maximum of 9 credit hours per semester (less if recommended by the Academic Review Committee). Students placed on continued academic probation must receive approval from their Program Chair or designee prior to enrolling in any courses. Academic suspension begins the next academic block.
A suspended student may be reinstated on a probationary status by presenting a written appeal to their college dean and receiving approval from the Academic Review Committee. A suspended student must wait one full semester after the suspension was issued before submitting an appeal.