Grade Appeal Policy

Students can appeal final grades only. If a student wishes to appeal a final grade, he/she can do so through the below process:

1. Address any question or concerns with the course director. If this discussion does not resolve the issue, or if the course director is no longer in residence or is otherwise unreachable, the student may then,
2. Appeal in writing to the chair of the department providing the final grade to attempt to mediate a resolution and make a recommendation. A chair cannot change a grade. If discussion among the student, course director and chair does not lead to a resultion, the student may,
3. Appeal in writing to the Vice Dean/Dean for Academic Affiars. The Vice Dean/Dean for Academic Affairs may elect to mediate or to empanel an Ad Hoc Appeals Committee to investigate whether the grade should remain the same or be changed.

The Ad Hoc Appeals Committee shall be composed of three to five faculty members of the School of Medicine. The Committee will proceed under the assumption the course grade was justified; the burden of proof shall lie with the student and begins with the student submitting to the Committee a written statement delineating an argument supporting a change of grade. If the Committee members find the grade was not based upon academic and professional performance, they may submit a new grade to the Dean. In all cases, the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation shall be conveyed, in writing, within 10 days of the Committee’s decision to the student who initiated the appeal, the course director involved, the Vice Dean/Dean for Academic Affairs, and the Dean. The Dean's decision in all such matters is final.