KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
procedures are meant for residential students in the traditional programs of Kentucky State University. With the launch of KYSU Online in the 2024-2025 academic year, some students will enroll in the academic programs of KYSU Online, which are delivered in the online modality. For this reason, the existing academic appeal procedures should incorporate the administrative structure of KYSU Online and the Online Advisory Committee whenever an appeal originates from a student enrolled in an online program or when the matter involves an online course (as distinguished from the traditional, hybrid, or virtual modality courses).
Student appeals of final course grades will involve a newly created Form, which will be routed through the online administrative structure and to the Online Advisory Committee. The appeals of academic standing (probation, suspension, dismissal, etc.) will use the existing Forms and procedures; however, when the appeal involves an online student, the Appeals Committee will consult with the Online Advisory Committee when considering the appeal.
An online student may appeal course-related matters in a respectful and professional manner.
To appeal an assignment grade, students should contact their course instructor and discuss any questions or concerns with the instructor. The instructor will consider the student's concerns and determine whether to uphold the grade or recommend another outcome. If the instructor upholds the grade, the student cannot appeal the decision until the course has concluded and a final grade has been posted. At that point, if the student wishes to appeal the instructor's decision about the assignment, they should follow the procedures for appealing a final course grade.
Students should be familiar with the KYSU Online Late Work Policy, which specifies the standard penalties and point reductions for assignments submitted after the posted deadlines. This policy also specifies steps students should take to request an exception from the standard penalties and point reductions.
To appeal a course grade, a student must follow the process described below:
Students should submit a letter to their course instructor. The letter should describe the reasons for requesting a review of the final grade, and it should describe any extenuating circumstances the student believes support the request. The request should be submitted within one (1) week of when the final grade is posted.
After considering the student's appeal, the instructor must respond in writing to the student, stating whether or not the appeal is granted and stating the instructor's rationale for the decision. The online instructor has three (3) business days to review the request and notify the student of a decision.
At that point, the student can choose to appeal the instructor's decision within three (3) business days. They should fill out the KYSU Online Academic Appeal Form: Course Grade Change. The student should attach the original letter to the course instructor, the instructor's response, and any additional documentation they would like to be considered in the next steps of review. They should submit their completed Form and documentation by email to KYSUOnlineAppeals@kysu.edu for routing in the next steps of the process.