PURPOSE:

This policy ensures fairness, transparency, and consistency in evaluating student performance in the PharmD program. It outlines structured processes for grade reconsideration during a course and appeals of final grades.

DEFINITIONS:

• Course Coordinator: The faculty member designated in the course syllabus as responsible for course oversight, assessment integrity, and grading decisions.
• Grade Reconsideration: A formal process for reviewing an individual assignment, quiz, or examination question during a course.
• Grade Appeal: A formal process for reviewing a final course grade after official submission.
• Didactic Course: Any course that uses structured teaching methods such as lectures, active learning, or laboratory work, excluding Introductory or Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE or APPE).
• Experiential Course: Any PharmD course that includes Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) or Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) as part of its title. These courses focus on applying knowledge and skills in real-world pharmacy practice settings under the supervision of a preceptor.

1. Grading Reconsideration (During THE Course)

• Eligibility
  • Students may request reconsideration of individual assignments, quiz questions, or examination questions in didactic courses.

  • Experiential courses do not offer reconsideration of individual assessment items; grades reflect overall performance.

     

• Request Process:
  • Submit a written request to the instructor responsible for the assessment, as identified in the course syllabus or Canvas (ICON). 
  • Request must include detailed rationale and supporting evidence demonstrating academic merit; disagreement alone or requests based on personal preference are not sufficient.

  • In courses involving non-faculty instructional contributors, assessment grade reconsideration determinations may be issued by the course coordinator. Learners such as pharmacy residents or academic students participating in teaching activities do not independently adjudicate grade reconsideration requests.

     

• Review:
  • Reviewers’ decisions will be based on documented evidence.

• Timeline: 
  • Request must be submitted within five (5) business days of assessment grade posting on Canvas (ICON).

  • Responses will be issued within five (5) business days, unless extenuating circumstances exist.

     

• Finality: 
  • Decisions reached through grade reconsideration are final with respect to the specific assessment item and may not be revisited at any subsequent stage, including during a final course grade appeal.

2. Grade Appeal (After Final Grade Submission)

    

• Eligibility:

  • Students may appeal a final course grade only on the basis that the grade:

    • was miscalculated based on pre-established course criteria, or

    • was assigned arbitrarily or capriciously. Arbitrary and capricious grading means grading on a basis other than performance or by unreasonable standards different from those applied to other students.

       

     

  • A course grade appeal cannot revisit or reconsider individual assignments, quizzes, or exam questions. 

• Request Process:

1. Notify Intent

   • The student must inform the Director of Student Success of intent to appeal. 

    

2. Submit Course Grade Appeal Form
   • The appeal must be initially submitted using the official Course Grade Appeal Form to the Course Coordinator, following all submission requirements as outlined. 

   • The submission must occur within ten (10) business days of a final written grade notification by the course coordinator, the Office of Professional Education, or when the grade is posted in MyUI, whichever occurs first.

      

3. Review
   • The course coordinator evaluates the appeal based on submitted documentation, applicable course policies, or other written records, and returns the form to the student with a written decision that includes the outcome and rationale.

4. Continuation of Appeal
   • If student chooses to proceed with the appeal, the same form (as returned by the course coordinator) is forwarded to the next reviewer according to the defined Appeal Levels.

   • No new evidence may be introduced at subsequent appeal stages unless the 

     information was not available at the time of the original submission. 

5. Subsequent Review Levels
   • The process repeats itself at each level of review following the same procedure.

• Appeal Levels:

  • Didactic Courses

    • Course Coordinator → Course Coordinator’s Departmental Executive Officer (DEO) → Associate Dean of Academic Affairs → Dean (final).

     

  • Experiential Courses

    • Course Coordinator → Director of Professional Experience Program → DEO of Pharmacy Practice and Science → Associate Dean of Academic Affairs → Dean (final).

     

  • Conflict of Role or Authority
    • In instances where an individual serves concurrently as the course coordinator and as a reviewer at one or more subsequent levels of appeal, the individual shall participate only in the appeal at the course coordinator level. The individual shall be recused from and shall not participate in any subsequent stage(s) of the appeal process. In such cases, the appeal shall advance directly to the next eligible reviewer in the established sequence. 
    • For example, if the DEO is also the course coordinator for a course under appeal, the DEO will conduct the initial review solely in the capacity of course coordinator. The appeal will then proceed directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, bypassing the DEO level.

• Timelines:
  • Each reviewer will issue a written decision within five (5) business days of the initial submission unless extenuating circumstances exist, provided the student is notified.

  • Students must re-petition within five (5) business days to escalate to the next level.

     

     

    4. Process Integrity and Facilitation OF COURSE GRADE APPEALS

        

• Communication:

  • All substantive communications regarding the appeal must be documented on the Course Grade Appeal Form or as an official written addendum.

     

  • Email may be used for logistical or procedural clarification (e.g., confirming receipt or deadlines), but should be avoided for substantive discussion.

• Student Attestation: 
  • Students must attest that the appeal reflects their own work and complies with policy requirements. 

• Coordination with Progression Review:
  • If the course grade under appeal may affect academic standing, the grade appeal process must be completed before any progression review or actions are taken.

• Final Record Retention
  • Final appeal documents will be securely retained by the Office of Professional Education in accordance with student privacy regulations.

• External Review
  • Students dissatisfied with the collegiate appeal outcome may seek review through the Office of the Provost in accordance with the Student Complaints Concerning Faculty Action policy.

  • This external review is separate from the College of Pharmacy grade appeal process and is administered by the University. Students should consult the University policy for applicable procedures, required documentation, and 

    timelines.

CORRESPONDING POLICIES

• PharmD Academic Progression Policy
• Student Complaints Concerning Faculty Action (University)