The
University expects all students to be responsible individuals
who possess the highest standards of integrity, honesty and personal
conduct. These traits are prerequisites to independent learning,
professional development, the successful performance of academic
and clinical assignments and the conduct of one's personal life.
Accordingly, students are expected to adhere to a standard of
behavior consistent with the high standards of the osteopathic
medical profession. Compliance with institutional rules and regulations,
in addition to city, state, and federal laws is expected of all
students.
It
is not possible to enumerate all forms of inappropriate behavior
which would raise serious questions concerning a student's ability
to practice after graduation. The following, however, are examples
of behavior which could constitute a violation of the Code of
Professional Conduct:
1) Harassment, harm, abuse, damage, or theft to or of any
individual or property on KCUMB grounds;
2)
Harassment, harm, abuse, damage, or theft to or of any individual
or property owned by any hospital/clinic, affiliated institution/organization,
or individual to which the student may be assigned;
3)
Physical abuse or the threat of physical abuse to any individual
on University property, affiliated institutions, or at KCUMB sponsored
events;
4) Verbal abuse or the threat of verbal abuse which threatens
or endangers the health or safety of any person;
5) All forms of dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism, knowingly
furnishing false information to the University, forgery, alteration
of or unapproved use of records;
6) Entering or using KCUMB or
hospital/clinic facilities without authorization;
7)
Disrupting teaching, research, administrative, or student functions
of the University;
8) Actions constituting violation of federal, state or
local laws;
9) Participation in academic or clinical endeavors of UHS
or its affiliated institutions while under the influence of alcohol,
a controlled substance, or illicit drugs;
10)
Unlawful use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs and
alcohol at any time;
11) Placing a patient in needless jeopardy or unethical
disclosure of privileged information;
12) Behavior or appearance which provides a lack of respect
and confidence as determined by KCUMB administration;
13) Abusive or disrespectful conduct toward members of
the faculty, administrative or professional staff, employees,
students, patients, or visitors of KCUMB;
14)
Violation of any established rules and regulations of KCUMB,
KCUMB-endorsed
organizations, KCUMB departments,
or affiliated institutions;
15)
Conspiring, planning, or attempting to achieve any of the above
acts.
Academic Dishonesty
The University holds its students to the highest standards of
intellectual integrity. Therefore, the attempt of any student
to pass any examination by improper means, present work which
the student has not performed, or aid and abet a student in any
dishonest act may result in disciplinary action including immediate
dismissal.
Procedural
Guidelines
These guidelines are advisory and are not a contract. They
do not bind the University, and may change with approval of the
Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean and notice to the Chair
of the Promotion and Graduation Committee, and general notice
to the students of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Filing of a Complaint of Professional or Personal Misconduct
If an individual has violated the University Policy regarding
professional, ethical or personal conduct, a written complaint
should be filed with the Chair of the Promotion and Graduation
Committee. The complaint should be filed within 30 working days
of the incident. The committee will review the complaint and may
schedule a meeting with the student(s) and the complainant(s).
Notice to Appear Before the Promotion and Graduation Committee
If a meeting is warranted, a Notice to Appear before the Promotion
and Graduation Committee will be delivered in person or mailed
to the student at the student's address registered with the Registrar.
The failure of an addressee to accept mail or maintain a valid
address with the Registrar may result in immediate disciplinary
action. The student will be advised of the general nature of the
allegations against him or her either in writing or orally by
the Committee Chair.
Appearance Before the Promotion and Graduation Committee
University disciplinary procedures and meetings are private and
confidential including, but not limited to, the names of participants,
proceedings, discussion, minutes and findings. The following are
prohibited in all P&G meetings unless otherwise authorized
in writing by the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean and
the Committee Chair:
1) Any recording of the meeting, except official minutes;
2) Legal counsel;
3) Uninvited individuals.
The
names of the complainants and witnesses are normally withheld
from the student.
In the meeting the student will be given an opportunity to address
the allegation(s) against him/her. The Committee will review submitted
documents and may interview persons reported as having knowledge
of the incident. The Committee may have more than one meeting
with the student to address the concerns of the Committee and
give the student an opportunity to respond to the questions and
allegations.
The findings of the Committee are advisory to the Vice President
for Academic Affairs/Dean, who should discuss the Committee's
recommendation with the Committee Chair. The Vice President for
Academic Affairs/Dean will notify the student in writing as to
his/her decision. The student will have ten (10) working days
after receipt of notice of disciplinary action to appeal the decision
to the Appeals Board. The disciplinary action is in effect during
the appeals process unless otherwise indicated in writing by the
Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The
Appeals Process
The student may appeal a disciplinary action involving dismissal
to the Appeals Board. The appeal must state the facts of the case,
mitigating circumstances or remedies, and proposed resolution
of the matter. Documentation or witnesses should be included.
The student may have only one appeal. The following are
prohibited in all Appeals Board meetings unless otherwise
noted in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean:
1) Any recording of the meeting, except for official minutes;
2) Legal counsel;
3) Uninvited individuals.
The names of the complainants and witnesses are normally withheld
from the student.
Filing the Appeal
The student must file an appeal with the Vice President for Academic
Affairs/Dean normally within ten (10) working days of receipt
of the Vice President's letter. It is the student's responsibility
to file a complete and accurate appeal prior to the deadline.
Failure to file a timely appeal may immediately terminate the
appeals process. Appeals must be written by the student, and should
be typewritten, neat and in good order. The student should limit
his/her discussions about preparing the appeal to the Vice President
for Academic Affairs and/or the Chair of Promotion and Graduation
Committee, or an officer or faculty member specified by these
persons. The Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean may remand
the appeal to the Committee for further review prior to scheduling
an Appeals Board meeting.
Drafting an Appeal
The student should address mitigating circumstances that directly
contributed to the failures. The Appeal should address causative
factors, remedies, and solutions. These issues represent critical
steps in preparing for an academic meeting with the Appeals Board,
and each step should be addressed and resolved to the satisfaction
of the University.
Notice to Appear Before the Appeals Board
After the student has filed a complete and timely written appeal
to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean, the Vice President
will call a meeting of the Appeals Board. The student will be
notified in writing when to appear before the Appeals Board. The
student must present his/her appeal in person.
Causative
Factors. The Appeal must clearly state those compelling
reasons or extenuating circumstances that directly contributed
to the student's academic or clinical problems at the University.
These factors should be substantive, immediate (having occurred
within the academic year) and documented. Letters, receipts, court
documents and medical reports are some common types of documents.
Remedies.
The student is obligated to specify in the appeal those measures
that he/she has taken to correct the causative factors. The remedies
should offer a reasonable assurance that the student will be successful
at the University. All remedies should be detailed, documented
and state a time for completion.
Solutions. In the Appeal, the student should propose a
solution to his/her dilemma that would be feasible for the student
to continue in his/her academic studies at the University. The
student should also acknowledge the consequences of the failure
to perform to the covenants of the proposal. More than one proposal
may be suggested.
The
Appeals Board
The Appeals Board is comprised of the Vice President for Academic
Affairs/Dean (Chair), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs/Basic
Sciences, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs/Clinical Sciences,
Vice President for Institutional Development, the Chair of the
Promotion and Graduation Committee, and one clinical faculty member
(an osteopathic physician appointed by the Vice President for
Academic Affairs/Dean). The student shall be given an opportunity
to present his/her appeal. The Board shall review the appeal and
relevant documentation prior to rendering a decision.
Decisions
of the Appeals Board
The student will be notified in writing of the decision of the
Appeals Board. All decisions of the appeals Board are final
and binding upon the student without further appeal.
