Petitions and Appeals

What is the Grade Appeal Policy?

Grade Appeal Policy

The Grade Appeal Policy provides a process for redress of grievance between a student and a faculty member concerning a final grade in a course taken at Kutztown University.

Two important points to be kept in mind concerning the application of this policy are:

1. All uses of the word "grade" in this policy refer to the final grade in a course;
2. The Grade Appeal Board (GAB) may consider approving changes only to P (pass) and W (withdraw). Any requests for changes to specific letter grades, therefore -- a change from a D to a C, for example -- would not be considered by the GAB.

Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness Policy

Academic Forgiveness Application

Academic readiness and situational factors may affect the academic performance of undergraduate students, especially first-time students, in the university setting. For a variety of reasons, including poor performance, students separate from the university and involve themselves in work and other life experiences. At present, students with a history of poor performance who choose to return to Kutztown University after years of separation often face obstacles created by their previous academic record.

The Academic Exceptions Committee (AEC) reviews petitions of individual students wishing to have a specific policy regulation waived for just cause.

For questions regarding the Academic Exceptions Committee process and meeting dates, please contact the Student Advocate in the Office of the Dean of Students:

Nadia Daher
daher@kutztown.edu
610-683-4169

Common Questions Pertaining to the Completion of the Petition:

How do I complete the petition? 

Schedule a meeting with Student Advocate. The Student Advocate will explain the petition process and help the student complete the petition form. It helps to have a statement prepared in preparation for the meeting. 

The petition requires the support of a Kutztown University faculty or staff member. Statements of support can be emailed to the Student Advocate.  

Must Financial Aid be completed?

Committee decisions may negatively impact financial aid packages. If you receive(d) Financial Aid, you MUST consult with Financial Aid. It is the student's responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office to make sure the petition decision won't have a negative impact on the student's financial aid and/or financial account. Please note that an AEC petition is separate from a Financial Aid SAP appeal. You must appeal with the financial aid office to regain aid for the following semester, if applicable. 

Where do I submit my petition?

Petitions are submitted online: Academic Exceptions Committee Petition. Please meet with the Student Advocate prior to submitting your petition. Students who are unable to access the petition through the link should contact the Student Advocate:

Nadia Daher
daher@kutztown.edu
610-683-4169

How will I be notified of the results of my petition?

The petitioner will be notified in writing of the committee action.

Final Exam Conflict Resolution Policy - Undergraduate Students

This applies to undergraduate students who have a conflict of two final examinations at the same time or three or more in one day. 

In the event the conflict(s) cannot be resolved informally with the instructor(s), the student may seek a resolution in the following manner:

1. Complete the Final Examination Conflict Resolution Form by the end of week ten of the semester. If the student does not apply by this date, the conflict(s) may not be resolved to the student's satisfaction.

2. Present this form to the instructor with the highest numbered course to schedule an alternate time to take the final examination during the final examination week. If conflicting final examinations are for the same numbered course, the course with the largest enrollment will take precedence; that is, the smaller enrolled course final examination needs to be rescheduled.

3. If the necessary rescheduling cannot be resolved through the instructor(s) involved and both courses are in the same college, the academic dean will make the rescheduling decision.

4. If the rescheduling cannot be resolved through the instructors and the courses are in different colleges, the Provost will make the rescheduling decision.

The purpose of this policy is to define the procedures and penalties for academic dishonesty for undergraduate students.

Kutztown University is committed to the personal and intellectual growth of its students. The
principal context in which this growth occurs is the University’s courses, and the educational
process depends upon an open and honest atmosphere of positive cooperation between faculty
and students. In order to maintain this atmosphere, instructors must evaluate the academic
performance of students fairly and students must demonstrate their mastery of subject matter
honorably. Any acts of academic dishonesty by students, such as plagiarism on written papers or cheating on exams, threaten to undermine the educational and ethical goals of the University for
its students. Such violations are of the utmost seriousness. The goal of the following policy and
procedures is to promote a climate of academic honesty at the University.

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic Dishonesty Report Form