Hearing Procedures

The SPC meets monthly to review any academic, behavioral, grievance or LOA issues that have arisen since the last meeting may review written documentation of student performance or request verbal reporting from concerned faculty. Students may be interviewed at the discretion of the SPC and may have the right to appear for a hearing. In such cases, the student may be accompanied by a personally selected advocate or support person if desired. That advocate may be selected from the faculty, the student body, or other groups within or outside the University, but may not be a practicing attorney. In the case of a student grievance, faculty members may be interviewed. The SPC recommends appropriate action based on approved guidelines. SPC actions cannot be expunged from a student’s record. SPC actions may include remediation, probation, reprimand, dismissal, medical or psychological evaluations, or revised curricular assignments.

There are two standing subcommittees within the SPC:

The Academic Integrity Subcommittee reviews incidents of academic dishonesty and other unprofessional behavior by an FSM student. This subcommittee also addresses issues of unprofessional behavior that may occur during an HPME student's undergraduate phase.

The Leave of Absence Subcommittee reviews the readmission to the Feinberg School of a student following a leave of absence. In addition to the two standing subcommittees, the Committee Chair may appoint ad hoc subcommittees as necessary. Ad Hoc Advisory subcommittees are convened to review marginal student performance as necessary. All subcommittees provide reports of their proceedings and recommendations of action to the full SPC.

Hearing Procedure
A student suspected of breaching the foregoing behavior or the FSM standards, independent of periodic assessment in the school’s courses and clerkships, will need to appear before the full SPC. A written request will be provided to the student identifying the specific grounds and the nature of evidence pertaining to the appearance. The time and place of the related hearing will be identified in this letter. The notification letter is delivered to the student in person, by e-mail, or by registered mail. This hearing generally occurs within two weeks of this written notification, except in extraordinary circumstances.

The purpose of a disciplinary hearing is to determine whether a student has acted in a manner inconsistent with the aforementioned standards and, if so, to determine what action is to be taken. These hearings are closed, attended only by the SPC members, SPC staff person, and the student(s) in question. The testimony of one or more witnesses may be requested by either the SPC or student; a witness is present only for testimony and any subsequent questioning by the SPC. A student also may request the presence of a close friend, family member, or faculty adviser but not a practicing attorney. This person may be present for support at the hearing but cannot directly address the SPC.

During the hearing, the student is given the opportunity to present their position, explanation, and evidence. Upon completion, the SPC members are given the opportunity to question the student regarding the situation, the student's educational experience and any other issues that may factor into an educated decision.

Following the SPC meeting, the student will be contacted by the SPC chair and made aware of the committee's decision. This will usually be conveyed by phone. A written decision letter will be sent to the student via e-mail and registered mail within the following week.