| The Student Promotions Committee (SPC) may be asked by the Executive Associate Dean for Education to consider allegations of extracurricular behavioral or other specific misconduct for appropriate action. Such action may include reprimand, suspension, or dismissal of a student whose actions are found to be inconsistent with the qualities of a good physician. These qualities include the demonstration of sound judgment; personal insight or perception; motivation; personal integrity and accountability; responsibility to patients; ability to recognize personal limitations; and ability to function under pressure. Grounds for referral to the SPC include, but are not limited to, the following: - harassment, harm, abuse, or theft to, of, or from any person or property on University grounds, at University-sponsored events, or on property owned by any hospital, affiliated institution, or individual to which or whom the student may be assigned
- giving, receiving, or utilizing unauthorized aid on examinations or assignments
- plagiarism, misrepresenting the source of academic work, or falsifying attendance records
- knowingly and intentionally falsifying or manufacturing scientific, educational, or clinical data and representing them as the result of scholarly research or patient examination
- entering or using University or hospital facilities without authorization or disrupting teaching, research, administrative, or student functions of the University
- misusing institutional documents or instruments of identification in an attempt to defraud
- identifying oneself as someone other than a medical student
- misusing the computing and network resources of the University or its affiliated hospitals
- being arrested
- being convicted of a felony
- participating in academic or clinical endeavors of the University or its affiliated institutions while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
- placing a patient in needless jeopardy
- disclosing privileged information about a patient
- having behavior, language, attire, or hygiene that provokes a lack of respect and confidence on the behalf of patients, faculty members, and colleagues
- refusing to provide care for a patient
The Student Promotions Committee (SPC) is charged with the responsibility for reviewing student performance and enforcing academic and behavioral standards. The SPC meets monthly to review any academic, behavioral grievances, or LOA issues that have arisen since the last meeting.
The SPC has the following specific responsibilities: - To review and recommend student policy and performance to the Educational Council.
- To recommend to the Medical Council the promotion and graduation of those students who have met the requirements defined by the medical faculty and documented in the official Medical Student Handbook.
- To review student records and files and make determinations in the following circumstances:
Membership
The SPC is composed of faculty members and two students. The Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, Associate Dean for Student Programs and Professional Development, Associate Dean for Minority and Cultural Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Admissions are ex officio members without voting privileges. All committee members sign confidentiality agreements that comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA") regulations. All discussions of student records and actions of the SPC regarding individual students are strictly confidential. Faculty members are appointed to the SPC by the Executive Associate Dean for Education. Two student members are appointed from nominees advanced by the Medical Student Senate. A second- and third-year student serve on the SPC. Each year a second-year student is appointed for a two-year term. The student selected must show evidence of a strong academic record and high personal behavior standards. The SPC reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. The Associate Dean for Student Programs and Professional Development acts as an advocate for the student. Student appeals are managed by the Executive Associate Dean for Education and are ultimately decided by the Dean of the medical school. Committee Procedures
There are three standing subcommittees within the SPC. The Academic Integrity Subcommittee reviews incidents of academic dishonesty and other unprofessional behavior. The Combined Degree Promotions Subcommittee meets annually to review promotions of students in the various combined degree programs, including the promotion of Honors Program undergraduates into the medical school and the readmission of MD/PhD (Medical Science Training Program) students back into the MD curriculum after the research phase of the program. The Leave of Absence Subcommittee reviews the readmission to the Feinberg School of a student following a leave of absence. In addition to the three 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. The SPC 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. Hearing Procedure
A student suspected of breaching the foregoing behavior or School of Medicine standards, independent of periodic assessment in the school’s courses and clerkships, will be provided with a written description of the specific grounds and the nature of evidence and the time and place of any related hearing. This hearing is initiated within two weeks of 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.
Initial notification of the hearing is delivered to the student in person, by telephone, or by registered mail. During the hearing, the student is given the opportunity to present their position, explanation, and evidence. Immediate Suspension
If, in the opinion of the dean, the alleged violation continues to jeopardize patient safety or disrupt the orderly academic processes of the University, School of Medicine, affiliated hospitals, or site assignments, he or she may suspend the student's enrollment immediately. The imposition of such suspension shall be communicated in writing by registered letter or in person. Delivery of such a letter or personal notification must be followed within 24 hours by notification in writing of charges as specified under hearing procedures. A student so suspended may request an expedited hearing before the Student Promotions Committee. A hearing will be scheduled within three business days of the request, or as soon thereafter as possible, to consider the matter and take appropriate action. Sanctions
Upon finding a student guilty of violating one or more of the foregoing behavioral or School of Medicine standards, the SPC may stipulate a period of disciplinary probation or suspension; a course of professional counseling with periodic reports to the SPC; restitution; termination of participation in school committees or activities; dismissal; or any combination of the above. While on disciplinary probation, a student may continue registration in credit-bearing programs of the school. Further problems during probation typically lead to a much stronger action by the SPC. Suspended students may neither register for nor attend classes; they also may not participate in programs or activities of the school. Please note: The school in good conscience cannot conceal from residency program directors or others to whom the student requests that evaluations or recommendations be sent, any infraction of the behavioral standards that the SPC has found a student to have committed or any remedial action taken by the SPC. Appeal Procedure
A student has the right to appeal to the School of Medicine Dean any decision of the SPC that would delay his or her academic progress by more than one quarter and that the student feels to have been arbitrary or unfair. That request must be made in writing to the Executive Associate Dean for Education within two weeks of notification of the committee’s decision and must indicate the basis for the appeal. The Executive Associate Dean may disallow the appeal if these conditions are not met.
The Executive Associate Dean for Education will arrange for an ad hoc Student Appeals Committee to review the student’s written appeal, meet with the student, and recommend action to the Dean. The Student Appeals Committee will review earlier actions and recommendations of the SPC to ensure that deliberations were conducted fairly and equitably, conclusions reached were justified, and any remediation requirements or other actions imposed were appropriate.
The Student Appeals Committee
Each Student Appeals Committee is composed of three faculty members appointed by the Executive Associate Dean for Education. Members are not simultaneously members of the SPC. The full membership of the Student Appeals Committee must be present for official business to be conducted, and recommendations are made by majority vote. The Student Appeals Committee may hear other people of its choosing who may provide information related to the issue at hand and may investigate written reports, committee minutes, examination papers, or related documents.
The student has the right to appear before the Student Appeals Committee to present his or her case and may be accompanied by 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.
Following its review, the Student Appeals Committee will recommend either that the Dean sustain the original decision of the SPC or modify the SPC's decision.
The Dean may accept, reject, or modify the recommendation of the Student Appeals Committee. In considering the recommendation of the Student Appeals Committee, the Dean also may wish to examine related documents and meet with the student and/or others. The Dean then will notify the student of the appeal decision directly.
Appeal Process
The protocol for appeal of a SPC decision rendered for violation of behavioral or School of Medicine standards is the same as that for inadequate academic performance. | |
