Fairness Board

 

PROCEDURES

A. The first and most often successful opportunity for resolving a grade dispute occurs at the department level. Before initiating a grievance with the Board, the student should first make an informal request for redress to the course instructor. If a resolution cannot be reached, such request can then be made to the instructor's department chair/head. If resolution cannot be made at these levels, then later involvement by the Dean of Students may be helpful.

Another resource available to students is the Student Ombuds Services. Their office offers safe, confidential assistance in resolving university related issues, concerns, conflicts, or complaints. Student Ombuds Services may be able to assist the student in achieving a resolution through an informal process at any stage of the issue. The Student Ombuds Service is entirely voluntary and confidential. Because the Student Ombuds Services are confidential, no information will be shared with the Fairness Board. The Student Ombuds Services personnel cannot serve as a witness in the Fairness Board process. Student Ombuds Services generally would be used by the student prior to seeking redress from the Fairness Board, though it also may be used at any other time as well.

Any student who still feels aggrieved after requesting relief from both the instructor and instructor's department chair/head may initiate an appeal for redress by writing to the chair of the Board. The Board chair may counsel a student as to the relative merit of the case but must accept all written complaints which are ultimately submitted. The written request shall be in letter form. A copy of the Fairness Board Description and Procedures can be obtained from the Academic Senate website at http://academicsenate.calpoly.edu or the student may request a copy from the Board chair.

A.1 Within two weeks after receiving the Board's recommendation, the Provost will inform the Board and each principal party what action, if any, has been taken. The Provost shall have final authority regarding any change of grade with the provision, however, that no grade change will be made unless it is recommended by the Board. If the recommendation of the Board is not accepted, the Provost shall indicate the reason(s) why in writing to the Board. Once the Provost has rendered a decision, the process is considered complete and the outcome cannot be appealed.

 

 

Source:

Academic Senate Resolution: AS-765-13 "Resolution on Revisions to Fairness Board Description and Procedures" (PDF).  Adopted 21 May 2013.

 

Updated: 7/8/2025