Level 1 Competency Appeal Policy

It is the policy of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix that if a student believes that he or she has been awarded a summative Level 1 competency rating that does not adequately represent his or her performance, the student may appeal the rating level by following the process listed below. Summative Level 1.5s are not subject to appeal in clerkships, electives and selectives if the student has passed the clerkship, elective or selective. For progression and disciplinary actions based on cumulative Level 1s, see the Competency Assessment Policy. For Level 1 ratings that result in a grade appeal, see the Student Progress Committee Procedures and Process for Dismissal Policy. 

Process

Students or faculty have the option to contact one another to discuss the rationale for the competency rating. If, despite discussion, the student believes that the rating does not accurately represent their performance, they may proceed with the following appeal steps.

1. The student must submit an appeal in writing within 10 working days of the original receipt of summative rating level to the chair, Assessment and Evaluation Subcommittee (AES), who is also the chair of the Assessment and Evaluation Level One Appeals Subcommittee (AE L1 AppealS). The written appeal should state the basis upon which the student believes he or she should be awarded a different rating level. 
2. The AE L1 AppealS will consist of three faculty members and one student member selected by the AES chair. For Years 1 and 2 Level 1 appeals, the dean, foundational curriculum, or respective designee will also attend. For Years 3 and 4 Level 1 appeals, the dean, clinical curriculum, or respective designee will also attend.  
3. Members who served as the student’s rater or the course* director for which the rating was received will not serve on the subcommittee. If the AE L1 AppealS Chair, selected member, or student making the appeal identifies a conflict, a replacement member or chair will be elected by AES to serve on the AE L1 AppealS. 
4. The AE L1 AppealS will meet with the student and the rater who submitted the Level 1 within 15 business days of receipt of the request for appeal. The rater or the student may attend the meeting by telephone or video conference. If the rater or students is unavailable within the 15 days but is available within an additional ten business days, the Chair may choose to postpone the meeting or proceed based on the submitted documents.
5. Documents which will be reviewed include:
   1. Written Level 1 appeal request from the student.
   2. The original formative and summative feedback forms related to the Level 1 rating from the Office of Assessment and Evaluation.
   3. Any additional Level 1 appeal documentation responses from rater.
   4. Any other documentation related to the Level 1 assessment as provided by the student, rater or requested by the subcommittee membership (e.g. PowerPoint presentation).
   5. The appeals subcommittee may request additional information before, during or after the hearing in order to make a decision.
6. The outcome of the appeal hearing is either to retain the Level 1 rating, or to change the rating to the next highest rating level: either a Level 1.5 for clerkships, electives and selectives or Level 2 for all other course*. The outcome will be determined by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the dean present at the subcommittee meeting will have the final vote. 
7. Within 10 business days from the AE L1 AppealS meeting, the Chair submits a written summary of the final decision to the following:
   1. Student receiving the Level 1 rating.
   2. Faculty member submitting the Level 1 rating.
   3. Course* director.
   4. Dean, student affairs. 
   5. Dean, foundational curriculum (Years 1 and 2) or the dean, clinical curriculum (Years 3 and 4).
   6. Office of Assessment and Evaluation.
8. The decision of the AE L1 AppealS is final and no further rating level appeal is permitted.

Course* = Any component of the curriculum where a grade is earned.