Ball State University has established a grade appeal process which defines the procedures a student must follow when a dispute over a final grade has occurred.  Details on this process can be found at http://www.bsu.edu/sa/article/0,,34918--,00.html  The criteria for a grade appeal are:

• An obvious error  in the calculation of the grade;
• The assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course;
• The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than performance in the course;
• The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's previously announced standards.

Note:  Grade appeals are not used for a review of the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of a student's work.

If a student has a dispute over a final grade for a social work class, the student should first attempt to resolve the issue with the faculty member by submitting in writing (letter or email) to the instructor a request to review the grade no later than ten days after the final grade is posted by the Registrar's Office. If the faculty member is not available, the student should contact the Chair of the Department.  The instructor, or in his or her absence the chair, responds to the student's request in writing with a decision regarding the student's grade within five business days after the receipt of the request. In cases where there is no successful resolution with the faculty member, the student should notify within five days the Chair of the Social Work Department, who will attempt to resolve the issue. This notification must be in writing and must detail the nature of the dispute.  In those cases where a successful resolution has been reached, the department chair will notify the student in writing.  The department chair will notify the student of the department's decision regarding the grade appeal within five days. The student may choose to proceed with a university appeal if the student feels the issue has not been resolved to their satisfaction.  Such appeals are made in writing to the Director of Student Rights and Community Standards.  Details on this process can be found at http://www.bsu.edu/sa/article/0,,34918--,00.html