Life at university is not just about passing exams. It is about being part of a community where fairness, respect, and academic integrity are taken seriously. To make sure this happens, students are given clear rights and responsibilities, along with ways to raise concerns if something goes wrong. Knowing how these systems work will help you protect yourself and use your voice effectively.

Student Rights

At the Medical University of Lublin, students have wide-ranging rights. The most important include:

• Academic rights

  • To be evaluated fairly and transparently.

  • To have access to course materials, syllabi, and consultations with instructors.

  • To challenge grades or decisions through official appeals.

  • To transfer between programs, study abroad, or pursue individual study paths.

• Personal rights

  • To study in an environment free from discrimination or harassment.

  • To have personal data protected under GDPR.

  • To access student benefits such as health insurance and transport discounts.

• Participation rights

  • To be represented by the English Division Student Government, which speaks on behalf of students in official matters.

  • To elect year leaders and class representatives, who act as the first point of contact for organizing classes, relaying feedback, and raising group concerns to faculty.

  • To take part in student organizations, research projects, and university events.

  • To evaluate teaching and study conditions anonymously.

Student Responsibilities

With rights come duties. Students are expected to:

• Respect the University Statute, Study Regulations, and Code of Ethics.

• Attend and participate in classes, complete exams and internships on schedule.

• Uphold academic integrity, avoiding plagiarism and misconduct.

• Treat peers, staff, and patients with professionalism and respect.

• Wear a visible student ID, especially in clinical settings.

• Follow safety, health, and data protection rules.

Where to Go When Problems Arise

Not every issue has a single “correct” path, and sometimes it is unclear who to approach first. A good rule of thumb is to start with the person closest to the problem and move outward if it is not resolved.

• Instructor or Professor: Most academic concerns should be raised directly with the teacher first.

• Coordinator or Year Supervisor: If the matter isn’t resolved, coordinators (subject, program, internship) or your year supervisor are the next point of contact.

• Year Leaders/Class Representatives: Before moving into formal channels, you can also turn to your elected year or class representatives. They often gather concerns from multiple students and present them to faculty or the Dean’s Office, making it easier to address shared problems.

• Dean’s Office: Handles formal academic and administrative issues such as grade appeals, recognition of credits, or requests for academic leave. The Dean’s decisions can later be appealed to the Rector.

• Ombudsman: A neutral mediator who deals with fairness, discrimination, or harassment, but also helps interpret university regulations if they’re unclear or applied inconsistently.

• English Division Student Government: The official representative body for students, which can support you in meetings or escalate group concerns to university authorities.

A Note on Dean’s Office vs. Ombudsman

• Go to the Dean’s Office if the problem is strictly academic or administrative: exam results, curriculum rules, leave requests, or recognition of study abroad credits.

• Go to the Ombudsman if the problem involves fairness, unequal treatment, or if you feel the regulations themselves need clarification.

• Example: If your exam grade seems inconsistent with the rules in the syllabus, the Dean’s Office is the place to appeal. But if you feel that the rules themselves are being misapplied or interpreted unfairly, the Ombudsman can step in.

Tips for Advocating Effectively

• Keep a paper trail: save emails, notes from meetings, and official responses.

• Stay respectful but do not downplay your concern. Professional communication gets noticed.

• Clarify the rules: if something in the regulations or syllabus is not clear, ask early.

• Use your representatives: year leaders, class reps, and the English Division Student Government exist to support you.

Conclusion

Understanding your rights is the first step to making the most of your education. Equally important is knowing your responsibilities, so you contribute to a respectful academic community. And when problems come up, you don’t have to face them alone. From professors and coordinators to year leaders, the Dean’s Office, the Ombudsman, and the English Division Student Government, there are systems in place to make sure your concerns are heard and treated fairly.