Policy on Grade Grievances

Policy

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades or evaluations, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the faculty member with whom the grievance originated. Course directors retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations.

Students wishing to appeal a grade must submit a letter to the course director (with a copy to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs) within one month of the issuance of the grade. The course director must respond within ten working days.

Pre-Clerkship Grade Grievance

Students wishing to formally protest a grade must submit a letter to the course/module director (with a copy to OASA) within one (1) month of the issuance of the grade. The course/module director must respond within ten (10) working days.

If the matter cannot be resolved with the course/module director, the student may appeal (with a copy to OASA) to the vice dean of educational programs, or his/her designee, who must respond within ten (10) working days. This determination is final unless compelling evidence suggests discrimination, or differential treatment.

Core Clerkship or Career Focus Track Grade Grievance

Students wishing to formally protest a grade must submit a letter to the clerkship director with a copy to OASA within one month of the issuance of the grade. The clerkship director must respond within ten (10) working days.

If the matter cannot be resolved with the clerkship director, the student may appeal (with a copy to OASA) to the department chair of the core clerkship or CFT rotation, or his/her designee, who must respond within ten (10) working days.

This determination is final unless compelling evidence suggests discrimination, or differential treatment. If there is evidence that an additional appeal is warranted, the student must submit a request in writing with supporting evidence to the vice dean for admissions and student affairs or designee, who, upon receipt of the request, will review the case and submit a written recommendation to the dean of the medical school within ten (10) working days. The determination of the dean is final, and there is no further appeal.