EAA043 Student Ability to Challenge Records

Policy Number: EAA043
Policy Title: Student Ability to Challenge Records

A. Purpose

This policy outlines the procedures by which a medical student can challenge his or her educational record, including the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, if he or she considers the information contained therein to be inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate. For all modules, if the issue is not resolved internally, then the procedural steps should be followed.

B. Persons Affected

Medical students participating in the UTRGV SOM curriculum beginning with the UTRGV SOM inaugural class, the Class of 2020, and those participating in future classes.

C. Policy

Students have the right to review and challenge their educational record.

  • The process for reviewing and challenging a student's educational record is as follows:
    • The student will file a written request with the Associate Registrar for SOM to access the educational record.
    • The student will provide to the Associate Registrar of SOM copies of all available evidence relating to the data or material being challenged.
    • The Associate Registrar for SOM shall consider the request and shall notify the student in writing within fifteen (15) school days whether the request will be granted or denied. During that time, any challenge may be settled informally between the student and the faculty, in consultation with other appropriate SOM officials.
    • If an agreement is reached, it shall be in writing and signed by all parties involved. A copy of such agreement shall be maintained in the student's educational record.
    • If an agreement is not reached informally, or, if the request for amendment is denied, then the student shall be informed in writing of the denial and the right to appeal on the matter through the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs.
  • A student whose request for amendment to their educational record has not been settled or has been denied may file an appeal within five (5) days of the receipt of the letter of denial. The request shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs. The request shall set forth the legal and factual basis for seeking correction of the student's educational record.
  • Upon receipt, the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs shall consider the appeal and respond within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of the request for an appeal. If the appeal is denied, then the student shall be informed in writing of the denial. The decision of the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs is final.
  • For all required modules and courses at UTRGV SOM, students have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to review their performance with their instructor on a regular basis. In all required clerkships, students will undergo a mandatory review of performance prior to the midpoint. If a disagreement regarding performance occurs in any module or clerkship, the student will be encouraged to meet face to face with the module or clerkship director or the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs to seek a resolution.

Appendix A

LCME Standard(s)

11.6 STUDENT ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL RECORDS

A medical school has policies and procedures in place that permit a medical student to review and to challenge his or her educational records, including the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, if he or she considers the information contained therein to be inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate.


Dates Reviewed or Amended

Approved by the Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC) on September 27, 2017.

Reviewed, amended, and approved by the Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC) on October 11, 2017.

Approved by the Faculty Assembly on October 17, 2017.

Approved by the Dean/Chief Academic Officer on December 21, 2017.

Non-substantive changes made on February 10, 2021.