The purpose of this policy is to establish criteria and requirements for medical students to appeal grades and evaluations.

This policy applies to medical students of all phases; course leaders; directors of curricula; and clerkship, sub-internship, or clinical elective directors.

The director(s) of Years 1, 2, 3, and 4 curricula along with the course leader(s), the clerkship director(s), the sub-internship directors, or the clinical elective directors are responsible for determining how students are evaluated and how grades are assigned.

Students who believe:

1. that a grade, an evaluation, or an evaluation comment is a result of bias toward the student;
2. that a missing evaluation could result in a grade change; or
3. there was an error in the determination of a final grade 

should initially address this with the following deans/directors:

• Pre-clerkship Phase (Years 1 and 2) IMS: Assistant Dean for Medical Education – Pre-clerkship Curriculum
• Pre-clerkship Phase (Years 1 and 2) Doctoring: course leaders
• Clerkship Phase (Year 3): clerkship or clinical elective directors
• Post-clerkship Phase (Year 4): sub-internship or clinical elective directors

If, after initial discussion with the appropriate individuals (as above) and a review of the appeal criteria, the student believes a formal grade appeal is warranted, they may contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs regarding the basis of their appeal or guidance on the appeal submission. 

Students must submit their appeal to the Grades and Records Appeal Committee, a subcommittee of the Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism, within 30 calendar days of the grade or evaluation being posted in OASIS. Any grade appeal submitted more than 30 calendar days after the grade or evaluation was posted will not be considered. 

The Grades and Records Appeal Committee will review a student’s written appeal and offer final judgment on whether a change is warranted. The Grades and Records Appeal Committee does not have the authority to assign a final grade (for example, this Committee cannot change a satisfactory grade to honors, passing thresholds, or remediation plans). 

The Grades and Records Appeal Committee may recommend changes to language in the narrative comments, the consideration of additional evaluations, or removing evaluations from grade determinations. The decision of the Grades and Records Appeal Committee is final.

Once the degree is conferred on a student, grades are final, and appeals of grades or evaluations are not considered.

For the purpose of this policy, the terms below have the following definitions:

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.

Office of Student Affairs: Will support students in their appeal submission.

Office of Records and Registration: Will process grade changes as directed from the Grades and Records Appeal Committee.

Office of Assessment and Evaluation: Will process evaluation changes as directed from the Grades and Records Appeal Committee.

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures, or for non-employees may result in the suspension or revocation of the user’s relationship with Brown University.

Brown University is a community in which individuals are encouraged to share concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.