Grade Change Policy

Course Grade Appeal Policy through the regular academic process

  1. A student raising a complaint or concern about a course grade may discuss the matter with the individual faculty member no later than the first two weeks of the semester, immediately following receipt of the grade.
  2. If the grade appeal is not resolved, the student may bring the matter to the appropriate department head within two weeks of discussion with the instructor.
  3. The department head will investigate the appeal and attempt to resolve the matter as expeditiously as possible. The department head will notify the student either in writing or orally of the result. If the appeal is not resolved, the student may put the appeal in writing, attaching copies of any supporting information and send it to the appropriate divisional dean within two weeks of hearing from the department head.
  4. The divisional dean may consult other faculty in the discipline and the department head and may choose to meet with the student. The dean will notify the student in writing of the resolution. A grade appeal is sometimes a lengthy process and may take several weeks to resolve at this stage. Every effort will be made to notify the student within one month.
  5. After receipt of the dean’s written response, a student may continue the appeal process by writing to the Academic Vice President. The student should attach copies of all previous correspondence regarding the appeal and copies of supporting documentation.
  6. The Academic Vice President will consult all parties involved in the appeal process and may choose to meet with the student. Grade appeals may also take several weeks to resolve at this stage.
  7. The Academic Vice President will notify the student in writing of the results of the appeal. Every effort will be made to notify the student within one month.

“E” “F” Grade Appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing

  • An E grade is assigned by an instructor when a student has completed too little work for an earned grade (A, B, C, D, F). As of the Fall 2023 term, the E grade is no longer an option for grading. Starting with the Fall 2023 term, instructors will assign an F grade and enter the last day of attendance.
  • Prior to the Fall 2023 term, students received E grades because they did not attend class or stopped attending class but did not withdraw from the course by the official deadline. The E and F grade both have the same academic weight with a student’s GPA.
  • A student may petition the Committee on Academic Standing to request that an E or F grade be changed to a W grade.
  • This request should be filed only when students were prevented from withdrawing from a course officially due to circumstances beyond their control. (See current Bergen Academic Catalog Policies.)
  • Petitions must be filed within four (4) semesters of the semester in which the E, F, was received, not including Winter or Summer terms.

Form

  • The student must meet with an Academic Counselor to initiate/start the E Appeal Form (ADV0007) completion process.

Academic Forgiveness Request to the Committee on Academic Standing

The College’s Academic Forgiveness policy is designed to help students recover from past academic problems.
There are two options for academic forgiveness. The first option applies to students who have not attended Bergen for at least six consecutive fall and spring semesters, and the second for current students who change their curriculum.
A student may apply only once for each forgiveness option.

Option 1 – Based upon Past academic performance/Nonattendance

After three consecutive years of non-attendance (3 Fall and 3 Spring semesters), a student may request Academic Forgiveness of grades as follows:

  • After the student’s return to Bergen Community College, he/she must complete at least nine (9) credits with a GPA of 2.50 for the request to be approved. The request will be reviewed after the student has completed at least one semester.
  • If the student’s request is approved: grades of “F“, “E“, “R” and optionally “D” for the courses from the prior attendance period will be removed from the Bergen Grade Point Average. However, the courses will remain on the student’s official academic transcript , designated with a special code for Academic Forgiveness (“@“).
  • Form: Academic Forgiveness Form (Option 1 – Nonattendance)PDF

Option 2 – Based upon Change of Curriculum

  • A student may request Academic Forgiveness based upon a change of curriculum at any time after matriculation and after credits have been attempted.
  • If a student’s request is approved, grades of “F,” “E,” “R,” and optionally “D” in courses that were required by the student’s former academic program but that are not required by the new program will be removed from the student’s Grade Point Average. However, the courses will remain on the student’s official transcript designated with a special code indicating Academic Forgiveness (“@“).
  • Form: Academic Forgiveness Form (Option 2 – Change of Curriculum) PDF

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