Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.” The decision makers at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) can certainly make errors, but they are not idiots—hence why the school allows students to appeal grades that have resulted from some type of mistake.
Students must also recognize their fellow humans’ capacity to err. If you believe that one or more of your grades at DMU-COM have resulted from some type of misjudgement or mistake, you should exercise your right to appeal.
DMU-COM policies grant you the right to appeal for good reason. Grading errors are common enough, and the cost of these errors is substantial enough that systems are in place specifically to correct these errors. Take advantage of those systems without fear of retaliation or other blowback. The very existence of these systems indicates the university’s recognition that mistakes occur and must be addressed through a fair, impartial appeals process.
That said, you should not assume that your appeal will be successful on its merits alone. The way you present your case could determine whether your appeal is sustained or denied, and you should allow our experienced advocates to help lead it.
Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online as soon as possible about how we can help you with your grade appeal at DMU-COM.
The “Why” Behind Pursuing a Grade Appeal at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Students sometimes believe their final grades are final. Even if they become aware of their right to appeal, they might wrongly think that appealing is a fruitless process or not worth the effort required to present a compelling grade appeal.
Demanding a fair grade is always worth the effort, in our experience, because:
- You’ve invested in your education, and that investment could be at risk: DO programs are not free. It’s clear to see why you thought the cost of enrolling in DMU-COM was worth it, considering the school’s 8:1 faculty-to-student ratio, your access to worthwhile research opportunities, and the likelihood that a degree will lead you to a fruitful career in medicine. However, these benefits, and the financial investment you’ve made in your education, could be diminished or totally lost if poor grades tarnish your transcript.
- There is limited academic risk in waging an appeal: The DMU Grade Appeal Policy states that the process is “not intended to be punitive in nature.” This fact is illustrated by the fact that “if it is determined that the final grade should actually have been lower than the original grade assigned, the grade will stand.” Unless there was a computational error, you face no risk in having DMU authorities re-evaluate the grading process.
- Academic dismissal is a potential reality for students who fail to progress as expected: DMU-COM’s Student Handbook mentions academic dismissal throughout, noting that this is a permanent sanction that “will be reflected in a student’s permanent academic record and transcript.” Multiple failures in courses, clerkships, or COMLEX exams could threaten your continued enrollment in DMU-COM. A successful grade appeal could, therefore, be the difference between you continuing your DO training or being removed from the program (and possibly separated from your ambition of practicing in the medical field, depending on your personal circumstances).
- Poor grades on your DMU-COM transcript can have professional ramifications: The country is projected to face a shortage of medical professionals, with one estimate projecting a shortfall of 86,000 providers by 2036. Even so, employers in this field have high standards and won’t hire just any graduate. The stronger your transcript at DMU-COM is, the stronger your professional options will be after graduation.
This is ample reason to appeal any grade that you believe is lower than you deserve.
Which Grades Can You Appeal at DMU-COM?
The stated purpose of the DMU Grade Appeal Policy is to “balance the right of students to a grading system that is free from inaccurate, unfair, arbitrary, or capricious evaluation, while supporting the right of faculty to determine course criteria and grades.”
However, the school apparently limits a student’s right to challenge “inaccurate, unfair, arbitrary, or capricious evaluation” to final course grades.
The policy states that students cannot appeal:
- Test questions
- Individual assignments
- Grades that are assigned based on an alleged Student Conduct violation (such as plagiarism)
When you appeal a final grade, you may simultaneously be questioning the grading of individual assignments. If you believe that any grade you received is inaccurate, don’t wait to speak with our Student Defense Team about whether you can appeal that grade.
The Pathway to a Successful Appeal at DMU-COM
The DMU-COM Grade Appeal Policy lists the proper procedures for appealing a grade, which are:
- Speaking with the instructor, coordinator, or director who assigned the inaccurate grade: The policy demands that the student who believes their grade is inaccurate first bring the issue to the assigning individual’s attention.
- Negotiate a resolution with the individual who assigned the grade, if possible: Instructors and others who assign grades are expected to engage in a good-faith discussion with a student who believes their grade is inaccurate. There is no established framework for these negotiations, so having our Student Defense Team advise you throughout this process can be immensely helpful in guiding your approach.
- Initiate the formal appeals process with the Dean: If informal negotiations with the assigning individual do not result in the change you seek, you will initiate a formal appeal with the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. You have ten days after the posting of the grade to initiate a formal appeal, which requires urgency on your part in initiating the informal discussion and any subsequent appeal.
- The Dean will coordinate with appropriate authorities during the review process: After determining that the appeal falls within their jurisdiction, the Dean will consult with the individual who assigned the grade. The Dean should also consult the student who filed the appeal, and our Student Defense Team will ensure that the Dean has all the necessary information to process your appeal accurately.
- The Dean will render their decision within five business days of receiving the appeal request: The decision the Dean issues is “final,” but we may have other means of seeking a grade change even if the Dean does not rule in your favor.
Our Student Defense Team is always willing to engage the general counsel of the DO programs when necessary. If the Dean does not rule in favor of your appeal, we may speak with the DMU-COM’s general counsel, Board of Trustees, or other authorities who have the power to make decisions outside of formal adjudication processes.
DMU-COM’s Acceptable Grounds for Grade Appeals
DO students cannot appeal just any decision they disagree with. DMU-COM policies detail the specific grounds for appealing a grade, which are:
- The grade was assigned based on criteria other than the student’s performance
- Grading standards were applied in an unfair, uneven, or discriminatory manner
- The student was graded based on unannounced or unfairly altered criteria
- The grade was inaccurately computed or communicated to the Registrar
These are relatively broad grounds for appealing, and it may not be immediately apparent whether the grade you’re thinking about appealing falls within these criteria. Our Student Defense Team will evaluate your unique personal circumstances and explain whether you have grounds to wage an appeal.
Important note: Never assume that you are ineligible to file an appeal. When in doubt, reach out to our Student Defense Team. We can provide clarity, and it’s often worth pursuing an appeal even if you have doubts about your grounds for doing so.
Can Difficult Personal Circumstances Be Grounds for an Appeal?
Extraordinary personal circumstances are not listed as grounds for appealing a grade. However, we have seen universities show mercy and compassion to students who underperform academically because of:
- Mental health challenges
- Physical illness
- The passing of a friend or family member
- Professional demands
- Other unusual circumstances that cause a marked decline in one’s academic or clinical performance
Formal policies or procedures do not limit our Student Defense Team. We are willing to approach your university’s decision makers about difficult personal circumstances that might justify a reconsideration of your grade (or the opportunity to rectify those grades without suffering the lasting consequences of a failure on your transcript).
How the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team Will Assist with Your Grade Appeal
If you want to appeal a disciplinary decision, remediation order, or other adverse action, we may also help. Our service to students is comprehensive and compelling, and you should reach out about any concerns you have while at DMU-COM.
Experience. Trustworthiness. Resources. These are among the many benefits you get when you allow us to help you. Grade appeals are not familiar to most students, but we have handled these critical proceedings for many years.
Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online as soon as possible about how we can help you.