Process for Grade Grievance and Academic Assessment Appeals

The purpose of this process is to establish a clear, fair, and timely mechanism by which medical students may request reconsideration of, and formally appeal, final grades and academic assessments in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. This process ensures compliance with LCME Standard 11.6 and institutional requirements for the integrity of student educational records.

A student who believes there is an error in a reported grade must submit a written reconsideration request to the Course or Clerkship Director identifying the specific error(s) alleged to have contributed to the reported grade. Reconsideration applies to the following grounds:

1. A factual or calculation error in the grade
2. Deviation from the published syllabus, clerkship grading policies, or institutional procedures
3. A procedural irregularity that affected the evaluation outcome
4. Evidence of bias, discrimination, or differential treatment unrelated to academic performance
5. A narrative evaluation containing factual inaccuracies or inappropriate commentary

The Course or Clerkship Director will review all materials, evaluations, and assessments that contributed to the contested grade and may meet with the student if necessary. The Director will issue a written decision within 3 business days (Monday–Friday).

If the student believes the reconsideration decision did not resolve the error, the student may file a written grievance with an Assistant or Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs. That Dean will convene a committee composed of the following members:

• An Assistant or Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs
• An Assistant or Associate Dean for Medical Curriculum
• An uninvolved faculty member 
• A medical student from the Appeals Committee

The grievance must include all materials from the reconsideration process, along with a written explanation of why the grievance is being pursued and why the reconsideration failed to address the relevant grounds listed above. Any committee member with involvement in the grade in question must recuse themselves and will be replaced by a representative designated by the Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs.

The committee will meet with the student within 10 business days of receiving the grievance and will issue a final written decision within 10 business days of that meeting. The committee's decision is final with respect to the grade in question.

A student may appeal the committee's decision through the standard appeals process of the Jacobs School solely on grounds of process or procedural failure. 

All grade grievances must be filed within 30 calendar days of the release of the grade to the student.