Student Appeals and Grievances

The leadership, faculty and staff of Baylor College of Medicine are all here to support and help you on your journey to becoming a leader in your chosen profession. In the event you have a concern, we have created several pathways for you to receive help.

Students may contact the Office of the Ombudsman for assistance. Use of Ombuds services is voluntary. No one can be required to use the Office of the Ombudsman or be required to reveal whether the Office of the Ombudsman was consulted. The Office of the Ombudsman is not part of BCM’s informal or formal Grievance procedures and does not receive or process Grievances for BCM. For example, a student’s discussion of a verbal or written Grievance with the Ombudsman does not constitute notice to the College. However, the Office of the Ombudsman is a confidential, neutral, independent, and informal resource available to all members of the BCM community. The BCM Ombudsman is available to provide confidential discussion of any BCM-related concerns, including interpersonal conflict or misunderstandings and academic or administrative concerns. For more information, please consult the Office of the Ombudsman: Structure, Function, and Resources Policy (32.1.01). View the Office of the Ombuds for more information.

Informal Pathways for Resolution

We encourage that student complaints be resolved, if possible, by the student and the individual (student, faculty, trainee, and/or staff) most closely related to the complaint.

If no resolution is established, the student may ask her/his supervisor, program director, or dean for assistance.

Formal Pathways for Resolution

If the complaint cannot be informally resolved by the supervisor, program director, or dean, the student must be directed to the Integrity Hotline and recommended to file a written appeal or grievance.

Students are strongly encouraged to review the Student Appeals and Grievances Policy and the Student Grievances Process Map (Baylor login required) prior to submission of a formal appeal or grievance.

Frequently Asked Questions

All requests or complaints should be submitted through the Integrity Hotline (a neutral third part vendor). Requests or complaints that are not submitted this way will not be considered, so it is important that if a student wants to file an appeal or grievance, they do so through the hotline.

By phone: (855) 764-7292 Online: Integrity Hotline.

All students currently enrolled in a BCM school or degree-granting program, all faculty, and all staff. This policy, however, does not apply to postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees, who should consult either the Research Postdoctoral Scholars Grievances Policy or their department leaders for more information. However, postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees can still contact the Integrity Hotline to report grievances.

An appeal is a request for a formal review of an official decision made by a BCM school, program, or administrative office that affects the student’s ability to achieve or maintain Good Academic Standing, while a grievance is a complaint that arises from a situation that adversely affects the status, rights, experience, services, or privileges of a student.

If students are unsure of how to handle their specific situation, it is recommended to review the policy in detail, specifically: IV. Policy (A) Criteria for Student Reporting of Grievances and Appeals and Tables 1 & 2 on pages 6-8. If students still have general questions about criteria, not pertaining to their specific situation, they may contact the Office of Education Affairs, educationaffairs@bcm.edu.

At any point, a student may choose to file an appeal or grievance utilizing the Integrity Hotline (phone number or web portal). To file a grievance by phone, call toll free at (855) 764-7292. An operator will document all the information regarding your grievance. If you are not filing anonymously, the operator will also document your personal information. Once all the information is obtained, the operator will file on your behalf.

To file an appeal or grievance online, go to the Integrity Hotline Web Portal. Select the category that best matches your concern.

You may choose to identify yourself or to file anonymously. If you choose to file anonymously your confidentiality will be protected to the limit of the law and within the scope of certain program accreditation requirements.

Once the appeal or grievance has been filed (via phone or online), you will be asked to create a password. You will be assigned a tracking number, called a Report Key. You may use your Report Key and your password to log back into the Integrity Hotline Web Portal to check status, answer follow up questions (if any) or submit new information.

Written appeals and grievances are handled in accordance with the College’s policy on student appeals and grievances. Written grievances filed through the Integrity Hotline shall follow prescribed appeal and grievance resolution procedures for written appeals and grievances based upon the nature of the complaint: grade appeal, adverse academic action appeal, other academic issues academic student misconduct, student services, curriculum, and non-academic student professionalism/mistreatment.

Grade Appeals and Adverse Academic Action Appeals must be submitted within ten calendar days of the grade/action posted.

Living Our Values

Baylor College of Medicine is committed to the values of integrity, respect, teamwork, innovation, and excellence. Despite our best efforts and intentions, there may be times when actions are taken by members of the College community that do not align with our values. Find resources to help you with interpersonal or personal challenges.