Final Course Grade Appeal

This policy is established to maintain high academic standards and to protect objectivity and fairness in assigning, administering, and evaluating student academic performance. Faculty members carry the responsibility to observe and judge all aspects of a student’s academic performance. Based on their qualifications as experts in a particular area of study, faculty are empowered to assess students’ academic performance using their professional judgment, in alignment with College policies. Any student who contests a final course grade must review and follow the “Final Course Grade Appeal Procedure.”

Course grades–with the exception of “I”/Incomplete are finalized in the Learning Management System, then uploaded to and maintained in SONIS by the Registrar’s Office. Grades are considered official once they are uploaded into SONIS. Only in extraordinary situations may recorded official grades be changed. 

If students feel they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, legal immigration status, or veteran status, they will be directed to the Associate Dean of Student Services, the Title IX Coordinator, or other responsible party, as appropriate.

Year 1 and 2 Preclinical Courses:

Any student who contests a final course grade on the basis of an extraordinary situation shall first attempt to resolve the matter with the Course Director within five (5) calendar days after the course grade is posted in SONIS. 

If the consultation with the Course Director fails to yield a solution that is satisfactory to the student, the student must present a written appeal using the “Final Course Grade Appeal Form.”  The completed form must then be submitted to either the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (all non-OPP courses) or the Assistant/Associate Dean of Osteopathic Integration (OPP courses only) within five (5) calendar days after meeting with the Course Director. If the Assistant/Associate Dean of Osteopathic Integration is also the Course Director of the OPP course, then the appeal should be sent to the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

If the student disagrees with the decision of the Assistant/Associate Dean of Osteopathic Integration/Academic Affairs, they have the right to appeal to the Dean of ICOM. Requests to the Dean must be made in writing within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the email from the Assistant/Associate Dean. The decision of the Dean is final and cannot be appealed.

Year 3 and 4 Clinical Courses:

Any student who contests a final course grade for extraordinary situations shall first attempt to resolve the matter with the on-campus ICOM Course Director (not the local clinical preceptor) within thirty (30) calendar days from the posting of the course grade in E-Value.

If the consultation with the on-campus ICOM Course Director fails to yield a solution that is satisfactory to the student, the student must present a written appeal using the “Final Course Grade Appeal Form.” The completed form must then be submitted to the Assistant/Associate Dean of Osteopathic Integration (OPP courses) or the Assistant/Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs for (all other courses) within 7 calendar days after meeting with the Course Director.

If the student disagrees with the decision of the Assistant/Associate Dean, they then have the right to appeal to the Dean of ICOM. Requests to the Dean must be made in writing within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the email from the Assistant/Associate Dean.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

Provide information and link to other policies or supporting documents referenced within this policy.