College appeals process helps students in academic trouble
By Julius Williams
As the semester closes, many students are congratulating themselves on a job well done. But what happens if things didn’t go as expected? Is it too late to turn things around? Not necessarily.
The teacher-student relationship is unique, but it is not adversarial. Instructors can be more helpful than some students may realize, said Jeff Anderson, a counselor in the Student Success Center.
“We’ll ask a student if he’s talked to the instructor,” Anderson said. “Many times the answer is no.”
He believes that some students may not be aware of the options that are available to them. Faculty have a lot of flexibility when it comes to helping a wayward student, even if a student has missed the Nov. 15 withdrawal date.
“Let’s not stand on policy,” said Dennis Day, vice-president of Student Success and Services. “Let’s stand on what happened, whether it was the second day of school or second to last day. The behavior dictates the process.”
According to Day, there are two different sets of circumstances where a student may have some room to negotiate. If a student has been diligently pursuing their coursework but unforeseen circumstances forced them to miss classes or assignments, then there are options available.
Likewise, if a student has a “verifiable” grievance, then there are options as well.
“The student has to let us know if there is an issue,” Day said.
Medical illnesses, personal issues and financial hardships can get in the way of school. When that happens, the student has to make their concerns known.
“For the student that is serious about their educational experience, the college will go a long way to support them,” Anderson said.
Depending on the situation, a student may request a grade of incomplete. With the instructor’s permission, a student may sign a contract allowing them to complete the course material at a later date.
Also available is the withdrawal appeal. The appeal can allow a student to withdraw from class even though the withdrawal date has passed.
Both of these options are at the discretion of the instructor and department chair, but they can be lifesavers for students dealing with extreme circumstances.
If a student is uncomfortable speaking to their instructor, there are other options as well. Although rare, conflicts do arise from inappropriate behavior or language on the part of the instructor.
“We can correct an error administratively,” Day said. “People make accusations but it’s easy to verify if there is an issue.”
The office of Student Success and Services has the authority to initiate an investigation. If there was some sort of impropriety on the part of the instructor, the office can consult with the student, the instructor, and in many cases the chair of that department to resolve the issue. Day said that he is an advocate for students, but ultimately, everything depends on the situation and the student’s expectation.
“If you come into [the situation] in a reasonable manner, with reasonable expectations, then you will get a reasonable outcome,” Day said.
Jeff Frost, dean of the mathematics department, has seen conflicts arise between students and instructors in his 27 years at the college.
“The laws are very clear on [defining] a hostile environment,” Frost said.
According to the college’s website, every employee has to go through mandatory training within his or her first 90 days of employment and again every following year. The college’s “Preventing Harassment in the Workplace and on Campus” training program ensures that every college employee has a clear understanding of what constitutes harassment. That policy is a student’s best defense against unfair treatment on the part of their instructors.
The college enforces its procedures and policies rigorously so that everyone can benefit from clear and consistent expectations, but extreme circumstances can occur.
Outside influences can disrupt a semester or interactions between student and instructor can become negative or hostile, but administrators and instructors are not beyond reproach, so it is essential that a student be an advocate for themselves and speak up on their own behalf. There are many resources available and students who find themselves in an untenable situation can get the help they need.
Information about the types of available appeals and their requirements can be found at http://www.jccc.edu/records/appeals.
Students are also encouraged to speak to their instructors, department chairs or student success counselors for assistance.
Contact Julius Williams, staff reporter, at jwilli78@jccc.edu.