UNMC College of Medicine students desiring to appeal course grades, not involving academic dismissal or suspension, shall proceed as follows :
Grounds for appeals of a grade are typically considered to be instances in which the grade was assigned:
- in a malicious, capricious, or discriminatory manner
- in a manner contrary to College of Medicine policies or procedures
- in a manner that would have been different when considering extenuating circumstances (such as technical difficulties affecting computer-based testing).
The appeal process shall proceed as follows:
Course Grade Appeals
Each step follows the previous if there is not satisfactory resolution for the student:
- Within two weeks of grade posting, a written appeal should be made to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education (Phase 1), clerkship director (Phase 2), elective (Phase 3) director or Career Specialty Track Director (Off-campus Preceptorship or Away Rotations), with copies sent to the phase director using the Student Grade Appeal Submission Form.
- Phases 2 and 3 only: A written appeal should be made to the relevant phase director within two weeks of the clerkship, elective, or Career Specialty Track Directors decision.
- Within two weeks of the decision by the Senior Associate Dean (Phase 1), or Phase Director (Phases 2 and 3), a written appeal should be submitted to the College of Medicine through the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. An Appeal Committee in the College of Medicine will be convened.
Grade Appeals Committee
The Appeal Committee in the College of Medicine will be appointed and convened by the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs. All steps and the appeal process will follow the UNMC Appeals for Academic Evaluations Guidelines.
If a student requests a personal appearance before the Appeal Board or the Appeal Board requests the presence of the student, the request shall be granted. The student requesting an appeal will be given at least ten days’ notice of the time and place of the meeting, the membership of the Appeal Committee and the procedures to be followed.
The student must show by a preponderance of new evidence that the prior grade appeal process were improper or unfair.
Committee Membership
The Appeal Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the faculty from the College of Medicine, all with equal voting status. The Board shall not include current members of the Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) or College of Medicine faculty that have direct oversight or involvement in performance assessment and evaluation within the Phase the grade is being appealed or other individuals who might have a conflict of interest. Each member of the appeal committee will be asked to sign a formal document that they have no real or known potential conflict of interest with the student.
The members of the Appeal Committee shall select one of the members as Chairperson. The Chairperson shall, in all cases, vote as a member of the Board.
An advisor of choice may accompany the student wishing to appear personally before the Appeal Committee. The name of the advisor must be provided to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at least one week before the meeting. The role of the advisor shall be limited to assisting the student.
The Chairperson of the Appeal Committee shall determine the order of the meeting, will direct questioning of the student, and ensure that the student and an advisor, are treated fairly.
A member of the Office of Student Affairs staff shall function as Secretary to the Committee. The secretary shall keep minutes of the Committee’s proceedings.
After consideration of all the presented written and/or oral discussion, the Appeal Committee shall determine by majority vote, either to overturn or uphold the grade. The decision of the Grade Appeal Committee, which will be based solely on the information presented and the discussion at the meeting.
The ruling made by the Grade Appeal Committee regarding the final block, clerkship, or elective grade is final.
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Senior medical students assist members of the Office of Student Affairs in the drafting of the MSPE and are allowed to suggest edits to the document. Any appeals related to its content following this process should be directed to the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: February 25, 2020
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: March 22, 2022
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: November 28, 2023
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: May 28, 2024
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: September 24, 2024
Reviewed and approved by the Curriculum Committee: March 25, 2025
Approved by the Curriculum Committee: January 27, 2026