| Preamble Students enrolled in the MD program
are required to conform to, and are entitled to the benefits of,
the Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities (hereinafter
"the Guide"), as well as other rules, regulations, and policies
with University-wide applicability. However, because of the unique
curriculum and degree requirements of the School of Medicine and
Health Sciences, the University Board of Trustees has established
the following Regulations for MD Candidates (hereinafter "Regulations").
Certain procedures in these Regulations are designed to supplement
policies established by the Guide. For instance, the process set
forth in Section 7 of Article B of these Regulations is designed
to provide protection against improper academic evaluation as guaranteed
by Article II, Section B of the Guide (Protection Against Improper
Academic Evaluation). Other procedures in these Regulations are
meant to replace procedures set forth in the Guide in most instances.
For example, all cases involving alleged misconduct by MD candidates
will be processed under these Regulations, unless the School of
Medicine and Health Sciences dean or his/her designee (hereinafter
"dean") decides in a particular case to have the case processed
under the Guide's Code of Student Conduct. In the case of any inconsistency
or ambiguity between these Regulations and University-wide rules,
regulations, and policies, including the Guide, these Regulations
shall govern.
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A. General
1. The minimum requirement for the MD
degree will be the completion of all courses designated by the School's
Faculty Senate to be required, and a passing grade in all courses
taken, whether required or not, other than electives in the first
and second years. (Minimum requirements for MD candidates in the
Doctor of Medicine Special Programs are different, and such students
are referred to Article I of these Regulations for a statement regarding
modified minimum requirements).
2. Using the guidelines below, the Education
Council will periodically determine and report to the School's
Faculty Senate on the appropriate number of credits for all courses.
First- and Second-Year Courses:
a. One credit hour for each hour of lecture
time per week per semester, adjusted as appropriate.
b. One credit hour for each two or three
hours of laboratory and/or small group teaching time per week
per semester, adjusted if appropriate.
Third- and Fourth-Year Courses:
c. Five credit hours for each four-week
experience; three credit hours for each two-week experience.
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B. Evaluation of Academic Performance
1. The faculty is responsible for evaluation
of the performance of students in a meaningful, useful, and timely
manner. The authority for assignment of grades rests with academic
departments or with faculty of interdisciplinary courses. Exceptions
are the notations of Incomplete and Withdrawal (see below), which
require the concurrence of the dean.
2. Departments are responsible for the assignment
of grades on a basis that is rational, just, and unbiased.
3. The grading system for all non-required
electives will be:
Pass (P)
Fail (F)
For all required courses in the first and second years, the
grading system will be:
Honors (H)
In Progress (IPG)
Pass (P)
Incomplete (I)
Conditional (CN)
Withdrawal (W)
Fail (F)
Exempt (EX)
For all courses in the third and fourth years, the grading
system will be:
Honors (H)
In Progress (IPG)
High
Pass (HP) Incomplete
(I)
Pass (P)
Withdrawal (W)
Conditional (CN)
Exempt (EX)
Fail (F)
4. The following definitions apply:
Honors (H) -- Those students
whose performance in a subject is determined
by the responsible department to be of superior quality may
be assigned the grade of
Honors (H).
Pass (P) -- All students, with the exception of those defined
above, whose performance in a subject meets the requirements
established by the responsible department shall be assigned
a grade of Pass (P).
Conditional (CN) -- Those students who do not meet the minimum
requirements established by the responsible department, but
who could reasonably be expected to do so through a limited
program of remedial work, may be assigned the grade of Conditional
(CN).
Fail (F) -- Those students whose performance in a subject
clearly falls so far below departmental passing standards
that limited remedial work would be inadequate to correct
the deficiencies shall be given a grade of Fail (F).
In Progress (IPG) -- The notation of IP will be assigned
to students in courses that require more than one semester
for completion. A grade will be assigned upon completion of
the entire course in a subsequent semester.
Incomplete (I) -- The notation of I will be assigned by the
faculty member or department when a student fails to complete
all the required work in a course. Assignment of an Incomplete
requires the concurrence of the dean on a case-by-case basis.
A student in the first or second year may not proceed in the
work of the following year until a grade of I has been converted;
a student in the third or fourth year must remove a grade
of I prior to graduation. If not converted to a Pass, a grade
of I will be changed automatically to a grade of F after one
year.
Withdrawal (W) -- The notation of W will be assigned only
when a student is unable to continue the course for reasons
acceptable to the dean. Such reasons may not include poor
scholarship.
Exempt (EX) -- The notation of EX will be assigned when a
student proves competent in a subject and is excused by the
responsible department; or when a student is given credit
for passing an equivalent course in another institution acceptable
to the department and the dean.
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5. All departments should submit F and CN grades
to the Office of the Dean as soon as possible after the student
has completed a course or clerkship.
A definition of work required to convert an F or CN shall be
developed by the department, reviewed by the Committee on Medical
Student Evaluation (otherwise known as the Medical Student Evaluation
Committee, or MSEC), and approved by the dean. Any F or CN grades
must be converted at a minimum to a Pass grade. A grade of F
requires that the student repeat the course or complete an equivalent
remedial experience. A grade of CN may be converted by a program
of more limited work, as developed by the responsible department
and approved by the MSEC.
No student may proceed from the first to the second year or
from the second to the third year of the MD program without
having first upgraded all grades of F and CN. Students with
failing or conditional performances in third-year clerkships
may remedy those deficiencies during the fourth year with the
approval of the dean. Conditional or failing grades in fourth-year
courses shall be remedied in the fourth year prior to receiving
the MD degree.
Performances upgraded from the conditional to the passing level
will be graded as CN/P. A student may elect to repeat the course,
provided it is being offered, rather than undertake a limited
remedial program to convert a Conditional grade. In that case,
the initial grade remains CN and the repeated course is listed
and graded separately.
Failure to convert a CN within the period as proscribed by
the dean shall result in automatic conversion of a CN to CN/F.
6. The dean will inform the MSEC of the names
of all students receiving grades F or CN and submit their records
to the Committee for evaluation and recommendations.
7. Any student who considers a grade or evaluation
to be unjust or inaccurate may, within 14 calendar days of receiving
the grade, appeal in writing to the signer of the evaluation
with a copy to the dean. The student is deemed to have received
the grade three days after mailing of the official grade form.
If the issue is not resolved to the student's satisfaction within
14 calendar days of receipt of the appeal, the student may appeal
it in writing to the Chair of the responsible department, setting
forth the reasons for reconsidering the grade or evaluation.
The student shall send a copy of this written statement to the
dean.
The Chair shall conduct a review, consulting as appropriate
with other faculty, staff, and the student, and convey a determination
to the student in writing, with a copy to the dean. If the issue
is not resolved to the student's satisfaction within 14 days
of receipt of the appeal to the Chair, and s/he wishes to appeal
it further, s/he shall do so in writing to the dean. In considering
the student's appeal, the dean is limited to determining whether
or not the evaluational or grading procedures used were essentially
the same as those used of other students in that course; and,
independent of that conclusion, whether or not there
is sufficient evidence of unjust or erroneous evaluation. In
carrying out this task, the dean may, at his/her sole discretion,
seek advice from an ad hoc committee formed to review the complaint.
There should be both student and faculty representation on such
a committee, but no member may be from the department in question.
Should the dean find that the grade or evaluation is unjust
or inaccurate, s/he will, in consultation with the Chair of
the department, determine an appropriate reevaluation procedure
and/or grade for the student. The decision of the dean is final.
Failure of the student to comply with these procedures, including
the stated time limits, indicates acceptance of the grade.
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C. Academic Dismissal
1. A student is at risk for academic dismissal
under the following circumstances:
a. The student receives grades of CN and/or
F in two or more required courses in the first semester of Year
I;
b. The student receives grades of F in
2 or more required courses (or senior electives) of greater
than three credits in any academic year;
c. The student receives grades of CN and/or
F in three or more required courses (or senior electives)
in any academic year;
d. The student receives a grade of F in
one or more required courses (or senior electives) totaling
12 or more credit hours in any academic year; or totaling
20 or more credit hours in the MD program;
e. The student receives grades of CN and/or
F in required courses (or senior electives) totaling 20 credit
hours or more of work in any academic year; or totaling more
than 30 credit hours in the MD program;
f. The student receives a grade of CN or
F in a required course or senior elective, when that student
has previously been at risk for academic dismissal; or
g. The student receives a Fail grade on
the USMLE Step I exam on three attempts;
h. The student fails to meet any special
requirement(s) previously specified for that student by the
dean as a condition for continuation in the MD program.
2. All conditional (CN) and failing grades (F)
in required courses and senior electives contribute to risk for
academic dismissal, including those that have been upgraded. A
CN downgraded to CN/F shall count as an F in determining whether
a student is at risk for academic failure. A failure in a course
that was taken to remedy a grade of F in a required course will
count as an additional F.
3. A student at risk for academic dismissal
will receive notification from the dean that s/he is at risk.
Notification will be made upon report of the grade that puts
the student at risk for academic dismissal.
4. The MSEC, in an advisory capacity to the
dean, shall conduct a review of the student's academic record
and any written statement the student may wish to submit to
the dean in a timely fashion. The review shall include an opportunity
for the Committee to meet with the student; since the meeting
is not adversarial, neither the University nor the student shall
have legal representation present. Thereafter, the MSEC will
meet in executive session and develop a recommendation to the
dean. The written recommendation will be submitted to the dean,
along with the written documentation reviewed by the MSEC.
5. The dean will decide on a student's dismissal
from, or continuation in, the MD program. The dean, at his/her
sole discretion, may meet with the student prior to making a
determination. The decision of the dean shall be in writing
and will include the reasons for the decision.
6. The dean is not bound by the MSEC recommendation.
In the case of a student who is allowed to continue in the MD
program, the dean may modify the academic program and/or impose
special conditions that may be continuing in nature. The decision
of the dean is final.
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D. Irregular Progress
1. Repetition of a Year
Upon advice of the MSEC, the dean may require that a student
in academic difficulty repeat a year, or s/he may permit a student
at risk for dismissal to repeat a year. Requiring repetition
of a year would be an option if there was a pattern of academic
problems that would be difficult or impossible to remedy before
the beginning of the next academic year. Permitting repetition
of a year would be an option if the student was subject to dismissal
on academic grounds but showed promise of mastering academic
material on an additional attempt and of proceeding without
further major difficulty toward becoming a competent physician.
A student eligible for promotion may be allowed to repeat a
year at his/her own request.
2. Leave of Absence
Leave of absence, including the conditions and timing of the
return, may be granted at the discretion of the dean.
3. Withdrawal from the MD Program
In the event that a student who withdraws from the MD program
subsequently changes his/her mind and wishes to re-enter the
program, s/he must reapply through the admissions process, as
would any other applicant for medical school.
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E. Evaluation of Professional Comportment
Occasionally, a student's behavior, or pattern of behavior, may
raise concerns as to the student's suitability to continue in
the study of medicine. The process described below is intended
to deal with behavior that may be unacceptable to the School of
Medicine and Health Sciences or raise questions about the student's
fitness for the practice of medicine.
1. When a problem with professional comportment
(other than academic dishonesty) regarding a student is perceived,
the observer will communicate this concern to the dean. If the
communication is verbal, it must be confirmed immediately by a
signed written statement or else it will not be pursued further.
2. Upon receiving such a communication, the
dean will create a confidential file in which all documents
pertaining to the matter will be placed. The contents of the
file will be preserved for a period of time not less than five
years from the date of separation or graduation from the School
of Medicine and Health Sciences. Access to this file will be
restricted to the student under consideration; the dean and
his/her staff; the MSEC; the Subcommittee on Professional Comportment
of the MSEC, if one is constituted; and attorneys for the University
and student.
3. The dean will notify the student in writing
that s/he has received a communication from someone who perceives
that the student has a problem with professional comportment.
The notice will include a copy of these Regulations.
4. The dean will meet informally with the
student as soon as possible. At that meeting, or as soon thereafter
as possible, the dean may do one or more of the following:
a. Advise the student.
b. Recommend that the student seek professional
assistance, at the student's expense.
c. Develop additional information through
contacts with the student, his/her peers, faculty, professional
consultants, and/or any other source deemed to have relevant
information. With the student's concurrence, s/he may be referred
for a medical, psychiatric, and/or psychological evaluation.
The cost of such an evaluation will be paid by the University,
and the student will be asked to authorize the professional
consultant to make a written report to the dean for inclusion
in the student's confidential file. This authorization of
the release of information regarding a psychiatric or psychological
evaluation shall be made only after the student has had a
chance to review the written report.
d. Refer the case to a Subcommittee on
Professional Comportment.
e. Suspend the student pending investigation
and recommendation of the Subcommittee on Professional Comportment
and/or the MSEC.
5. The involvement of, and actions taken by,
the dean may be continuing in nature.
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Paragraphs 6 through 19 apply if the student is referred
to a Subcommittee on Professional Comportment.
6. A Subcommittee on Professional Comportment
and its Chair will be named by the Chair of the MSEC. The Subcommittee
will consist of two students from the third and/or fourth year
of the MD Program and two faculty, at least one of whom shall
be a member of the MSEC.
7. The dean will notify the student in writing
of the composition of the Subcommittee. The student will be
allowed ten calendar days from the mailing of this notice to
object to any person's appointment to the Subcommittee. Such
objection must be sent to the dean in writing. The dean will,
at his/her sole discretion, determine whether an objection warrants
the appointment of one or more different persons to the Subcommittee,
who shall be selected as set forth in paragraph 6.
8. The Subcommittee will investigate the
allegation. The Subcommittee will review the student's confidential
file and interview him or her. The Subcommittee also may gather
and review other material and interview any other person who
the Subcommittee, at its sole discretion, has reason to believe
may have relevant information to contribute. The Subcommittee,
when it deems appropriate, may ask the dean to refer the student
for a medical, psychiatric, or psychological evaluation so that
the Subcommittee may consider information such an evaluation
would reveal.
9. If the Subcommittee requests such an evaluation,
the dean will make such a referral. No student may be compelled
to be evaluated; the cost will be borne by the University, and
the student will be asked to authorize the professional consultant
to make a written report to be included in the student's confidential
file. This authorization of the release of information derived
from the evaluation shall be made only after the student has
had a chance to review the written report.
10. The student under review and/or the student's
attorney or advisor may attend the information-gathering sessions.
These sessions are not in the nature of an adversarial proceeding;
the student and/or his or her attorney or advisor may submit
questions to be answered by persons interviewed by the Subcommittee,
but the procedure regarding their questioning is left to the
sole discretion of the Subcommittee. The student may speak on
his/her behalf and may submit other material. The legal rules
of evidence, including, but not limited to, those rules regarding
relevancy and hearsay, are not applicable. The student may suggest
that the Subcommittee interview such persons, but the decision
to interview such persons is left to the sole discretion of
the Subcommittee. The student and the student's attorney or
advisor cannot be present when the Subcommittee meets in executive
session.
11. Meetings of the Subcommittee are confidential.
Minutes of the Subcommittee will be placed in the student's
confidential file upon the completion of the Subcommittee's
review.
12. The Chair and all members shall be required
to be present for all meetings of the Subcommittee.
13. The Subcommittee will make its final
recommendation(s) to the dean. Such recommendation(s) will be
in writing and shall include findings of fact and the reasons
for the recommendation(s). The recommendation(s) could include,
but is (are) not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Advising the student.
b. Recommending that the student seek professional
assistance, at the student's expense.
c. Recommending conditions with which the
student must comply in order to continue in the MD program.
d. Recommending temporary suspension from
the MD program.
e. Recommending dismissal from the MD program.
The Subcommittee shall make an additional recommendation regarding
whether or not the confidential file will be made a part of the
student's permanent academic file.
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14. If the Subcommittee recommends suspension
or dismissal from the MD program, or any modifications of the
academic program, the matter will be referred to the MSEC. The
MSEC will review the confidential file and the report of the
Subcommittee. The Chair of the Subcommittee will present the
Subcommittee report to the MSEC and will respond to inquiries
from the MSEC members. The student and/or his or her attorney
or advisor may be present during the presentation of the Subcommittee
Chair and may submit a written statement to the MSEC. The student
and/or his or her attorney or advisor will not be able to question
the Subcommittee Chair or the MSEC members, or present additional
witnesses, and cannot be present when the MSEC meets in executive
session. The student may be interviewed by the MSEC if the student
attends the meeting; however, this meeting shall not be a de
novo hearing of the matter. The MSEC will either remand
the matter back to the Subcommittee if additional information
is required, or it shall submit its written recommendations,
along with those of the Subcommittee, to the dean.
15. The dean will review the student's confidential
file, the report of the Subcommittee, and the report of the
MSEC, if one has been produced. The dean, at his/her sole discretion,
may meet with the student prior to making his/her determination.
16. The dean will take whatever action s/he
deems appropriate, including dismissal of the student from the
MD program. The dean will inform the student in writing of his/her
decision.
17. The student shall have 15 calendar days
in which to appeal the decision of the dean. Such appeal shall
be in writing sent to the vice president for academic affairs.
The scope of this appeal is for the vice president for academic
affairs or his/her designee to determine whether the procedures
set forth in these Regulations have been complied with. Failure
to appeal the decision shall be deemed a waiver of any and all
rights to challenge the dean's decision and shall be deemed
an acceptance of the same.
18. The vice president for academic affairs
or his/her designee will make his/her decision on the written
record of the proceedings. His/her decision shall be final.
19. At any time during the process, if the
student in question is accompanied by an attorney, the University
will have its attorney present. The student, therefore, is required
to inform the Office of the Dean two days in advance of the
hearing is counsel is to be present.
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F. The Honor Code
1. Purpose
The objective of the Honor Code is to foster a sense of trust,
responsibility, and professionalism among students and between
students and faculty. Its fundamental goals are to promote ethical
behavior, to ensure the integrity of the academic enterprise,
and to develop in students a sense of responsibility to maintain
the honor of the medical profession. This code of behavior is
designed to assist in the personal and intellectual development
of the medical student on the journey to becoming a physician
and member of the medical community. All members of the medical
community must be accountable to themselves and others.
2. Student Responsibilities
a. Students will not:
(1) Give or receive aid during an examination.
(2) Give or receive unpermitted aid in assignments.
(3) Plagiarize any source in the preparation
of academic papers or clinical presentations.
(4) Falsify any clinical report or experimental
results.
(5) Infringe upon the rights of any other
students to fair and equal access to educational materials.
(6) Violate any other commonly understood
principles of academic honesty.
b. No code can explicitly enumerate all conceivable
instances of prohibited conduct. In situations where the boundaries
of proper conduct are unclear, the student has the responsibility
to seek clarification from the appropriate Honor Code Council
member(s), faculty member(s), or dean(s).
c. Each student has the responsibility
to participate in the enforcement of this Code. Failure to
take appropriate action is in itself a violation of the Code.
d. The student must agree to participate
in the enforcement of this Honor Code, and prior to matriculation,
must sign a statement agreeing to uphold its principles while
enrolled at the George Washington University School of Medicine
and Health Sciences.
3. Faculty Responsibilities
Each faculty member has the responsibility to participate in
the enforcement, promotion, and clarification of the Honor Code.
The faculty plays an integral role in the maintenance of the
Honor Code. To this end, faculty will endeavor to:
a. Define the types of aid or collaboration
permissible in course work.
b. Avoid procedures or ambiguities that may
create undue temptation to violate the Honor Code.
c. Reinforce the tenets of the Honor Code.
4. The Honor Code Council
The Honor Code Council (hereinafter the "Council") shall consist
of six faculty members and twelve students. Each year's class
shall be represented by three students. These students shall
be nominated by the Medical Center Student Council in consultation
with the Council and approved by the dean. The faculty shall
be selected by the Chair of the Educational Evaluation Committee
and approved by the dean. The Chair of the Council, who shall
be a member of the faculty, shall be appointed by the dean.
To ensure continuity, faculty and Chair terms of appointment
will be three years and staggered, with the possibility of two
contiguous terms of appointment. Students will be encouraged
to renominate their representative members.
Members of the Council shall serve as reference persons for
students and faculty. Furthermore, the Council as a whole shall
be charged with the continued monitoring of the Honor Code system.
It shall review all cases of alleged Honor Code violations that
have been submitted to a Subcommittee on Professional Comportment
in order to educate the academic community following the resolution
of each case. It shall meet periodically during the academic
year and report its findings to the MSEC, including suggested
amendments to the Honor Code. Members of the Council shall serve
on a Subcommittee on Professional Comportment convened as an
Honor Code Committee either to review an alleged violation of
the Honor Code or to recommend sanctions in established cases
of Honor Code violation.
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G. Academic Dishonesty and Violations of the
Honor Code
1. When a student, member of the faculty, or
Medical Center staff member observes something that appears to
be a violation of the Honor Code, that person shall do one or
more of the following:
a. confront the individual(s) to receive an
explanation and to gain satisfaction that there was no intention
of breaching the Code. It is hoped that most events will be
dealt with in this manner. If satisfaction is not gained the
witness will take further action. (See b and c below);
b. consult with a member of the Council
regarding the witnesses' observation in order to determine
whether a written report should be made; and/or
c. submit a signed written report of the
alleged infraction to the dean.
2. When the dean receives such a report, s/he
will create a confidential file in which all documents pertaining
to the matter will be placed. The contents of the file will be
preserved for a period of time not less than five years from the
date of separation or graduation from the school of Medicine and
Health Sciences. Access to this file will be restricted to the
student under consideration; the dean and his/her staff; the MSEC;
the Council; the Subcommittee on Professional Comportment, if
one is constituted; and attorneys for the University and student.
3. The dean will notify the student in writing
that s/he has received a written report alleging a violation
of the Honor Code. The notice will include a copy of the report
and these Regulations for MD Candidates.
4. The dean will meet with the student as
soon as possible. At that meeting, or as soon thereafter as
possible, the dean may do one or more of the following:
a. If the witness filing the report, the student
concerned, and the dean agree on the accuracy of the charges,
the fact of this agreement shall be noted in writing by all
three parties, and the case will be referred to a Subcommittee
on Professional Comportment sitting as an Honor Code Sanctions
Committee. The recommended sanctions will then be referred to
the MSEC for its consideration and action and for modification
of the student's academic program if necessary (see Section
11 of this Article G);
b. If upon reviewing the charge and any
supporting evidence, the dean believes that there is insufficient
evidence of academic dishonesty to warrant further review,
s/he may dismiss the charge without further investigation
or review;
c. If the student denies the accuracy of
the charge and the charge is not withdrawn or dismissed, the
case will be referred for review by a Subcommittee on Professional
Comportment sitting as an Honor Code Hearing Committee.
Paragraphs 5 through 15 apply if the student is referred
to a Subcommittee on Professional Comportment. Paragraph 12
does not apply if the Professional Comportment Subcommittee
is sitting as an Honor Code Sanctions Committee.
5. The Subcommittee on Professional Comportment
and its Chair will be named by the dean in consultation with
the Chair of the Honor Code Council. The Subcommittee will consist
of at least two student members of the Honor Code Council and
at least two faculty members of the Honor Code Council.
6. The dean will notify the student in writing
of the composition of the Subcommittee. The student will be
allowed five calendar days from the mailing of this notice to
object to any person's appointment to the Subcommittee. Such
objection must be sent to the dean in writing. The dean will,
at his/her sole discretion, determine whether an objection warrants
the appointment of one or more different persons to the Subcommittee,
who shall be selected as set forth in paragraph 5.
7. The Subcommittee will investigate the
alleged Honor Code violation. The Subcommittee will review the
student's confidential file and provide the student with the
opportunity to be interviewed. The Subcommittee also may gather
and review other material and interview any other person who
the Subcommittee, in its sole discretion, believes may have
relevant information to contribute.
8. The student under review and/or the student's
attorney or advisor may attend the information-gathering sessions.
These sessions are not in the nature of an adversarial proceeding;
the student and/or his or her attorney or advisor may submit
questions to be answered by persons interviewed by the Subcommittee,
but the procedure regarding questioning is left to the sole
discretion of the Subcommittee. The student may speak on his/her
behalf and may submit other materials. The legal rules of evidence,
including, but not limited to, those rules regarding relevancy
and hearsay, are not applicable. The student may suggest that
the Subcommittee interview additional persons, but the decision
to interview such persons is left to the sole discretion of
the Subcommittee. The student and the student's attorney or
advisor cannot be present when the Subcommittee meets in executive
session.
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9. Meetings of the Subcommittee are confidential.
Minutes of the Subcommittee will be placed in the student's
confidential file upon the completion of the Subcommittee's
review.
10. The Chair and all members shall be required
to be present for all meetings of the Subcommittee.
11. The Subcommittee will make its final
recommendation(s) to the dean. Such recommendation(s) will be
in writing and shall include findings of fact and the reasons
for the recommendation(s). The recommendation(s) could include,
but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Advising the student.
b. Recommending that the student seek professional
assistance, at the student's expense.
c. Recommending conditions with which the
student must comply in order to continue in the MD program.
d. Recommending that the work product be
discarded, which might result in an Incomplete, with the requirement
that the student satisfactorily complete compensatory work,
or be re-evaluated on relevant material.
e. Recommending that a grade of F be awarded,
with the remedy for the F being the repetition of the entire
course (i.e., not the summer remedial) with a notation of
"Failed the course for academic dishonesty [or violation of
the Honor Code]" appearing on the transcript, and with the
notation to be expunged at the option of the MSEC at a later
date or upon graduation.
f. Recommending that a grade of F be awarded,
with the remedy for the F being the repetition of the entire
course (i.e., not the summer remedial) with a notation of
"Failed the course for academic dishonesty [or violation of
the Honor Code]" placed permanently on the transcript.
g. Recommending temporary suspension from
the MD program, with the notation of "Suspended for academic
dishonesty [or violation of the Honor Code]" placed permanently
on the transcript.
h. Recommending permanent dismissal from
the MD program, with the notation of "Dismissed for academic
dishonesty [or violation of the Honor Code]" placed permanently
on the transcript.
The Subcommittee shall make an additional recommendation regarding
whether or not the confidential file will be made a part of the
student's permanent academic record.
12. Should the Subcommittee on Professional
Comportment decide that no infraction of the Honor Code has
occurred, there will be no further review.
13. If the Subcommittee recommends suspension
or dismissal from the MD program, or any modifications of the
academic program, the matter will be referred to the MSEC. The
MSEC will review the confidential file and the report of the
Subcommittee. The Chair of the Subcommittee will present the
Subcommittee report to the MSEC and will respond to inquiries
from the MSEC members. The student and/or his or her attorney
or advisor may be present during the presentation of the Subcommittee
Chair and may submit a written statement to the MSEC. The student
and/or his or her attorney or advisor will not be able to question
the Subcommittee Chair or the MSEC members, or present additional
witnesses, and cannot be present when the MSEC meets in executive
session. The student may be interviewed by the MSEC if the student
attends the meeting; however, this meeting shall not be a de
novo hearing of the matter. The MSEC will either remand
the matter back to the Subcommittee if additional information
is required, or it shall submit its written recommendations,
along with those of the Subcommittee, to the dean.
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14. The dean will review the student's confidential
file, the report of the Subcommittee, and the report of the
MSEC, if any. The dean at his/her sole discretion, may meet
with the student prior to making his/her determination.
15. Should the dean concur with the Subcommittee
on Professional Comportment's conclusion that a violation of
the Honor Code has occurred, one or more sanctions must be invoked
by the dean. This may range from discarding the work product
to dismissal of the student from the MD program, with an appropriate
notation placed on the transcript.
16. The dean will take whatever action s/he
deems appropriate, including dismissal of the student from the
MD program. The dean will inform the student in writing of his/her
decision.
17. The student shall have 15 calendar days
in which to appeal the decision of the dean. Such appeal shall
be sent in writing to the vice president for academic affairs.
The scope of this appeal is for the vice president for academic
affairs or his/her designee to determine whether the procedures
set forth in these Regulations have been followed. Failure to
appeal the decision shall be deemed a waiver of any and all
rights to challenge the dean's decision and shall be deemed
an acceptance of the same.
18. The vice president for academic affairs
or his/her designee will make his/her decision on the written
record of the proceedings. His/her decision will be final.
19. At any time during the process, if the
student in question is to be accompanied by an attorney, the
University will have its attorney present. The student, therefore,
is required to inform the Office of the Dean two days in advance
of the hearing if counsel is to be present.
20. Should the review procedures not be completed
before the date on which grades are submitted by the Department,
the notation Incomplete will be recorded for the student in
that course until the charges have been fully adjudicated.
21. If the student voluntarily withdraws
from the institution prior to completion of the review process,
the following notation will be placed on his or her transcript:
"Withdrew following accusation of academic dishonesty [or Honor
Code violation] and prior to complete review and determination."
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H. Policy on Promotions and Graduation
-- Academic Requirements
1. In general, promotion from one year to the next for regular
MD candidates -- and recommendation to the School's Faculty Senate
for award of the MD degree -- will be automatic upon completion
of academic requirements. As indicated in Section 1 of Article
A of these Regulations, the minimum requirement for the MD degree
will be the completion of all courses designated by the School's
Faculty Senate to be required, and a passing grade in all courses
taken, whether required or not, other than electives in the first
and second years. When evaluation of professional comportment
and/or academic dishonesty is pending or completed under procedures
described in Articles E and G of these Regulations, promotion
and graduation may be postponed, denied, or subject to additional
requirements set for individual students by the dean. Additional
requirements may be set for all students by the faculty and/or
dean.
2. Specific Requirements
a. Year I to Year II: Successful completion of all required work
of the first year, with performance at least at the passing level.
The student may not begin the work of second year until all deficiencies
of the first year have been satisfactorily remedied.
b. Year II to Year III: Successful completion of all required
work of the second year, with performance at least at the passing
level; and successful completion of the requirements set by the
School's Faculty Senate as a prerequisite to entering the third
year. At present these include receipt in the Office of the Dean
of a passing score on Step I of the United States Medical Licensing
Examination (USMLE) and certification of computer literacy by
the Department of Computer Medicine. Additional requirements may
be established and implemented by the MSEC and the School’s
Faculty Senate action alone. The student may not proceed with
the work of third year until all deficiencies in work of the second
year have been satisfactorily remedied.
c. Year III to Year IV: Successful completion of all required
clerkships of the third year with performance at least at the
passing level. A student may be permitted to matriculate in the
fourth year despite unremedied deficiencies in the third year
performance; however, those deficiencies must be remedied prior
to graduation during time that would otherwise be available to
the student as elective time or vacation.
d. Beginning with the class of 2003, all students are required
to report a passing grade on the USMLE Step II prior to graduation.
3. Eligibility for Graduation
a. Students will be recommended to the School’s Faculty
Senate to be awarded the MD degree upon completion of the minimum
academic requirements described in Section 1 of Article A of these
Regulations and fulfillment of any additional conditions relating
to professional comportment and/or academic dishonesty imposed
by the dean pursuant to Articles E and G of these Regulations.
b. A candidate is required to be present at the commencement ceremony
unless a written request for graduation in absentia is approved
by the dean.
4. USMLE Policy
As of 1994, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE),
comprising three "step" examinations, has become the
sole examination pathway to licensure for physicians. The National
Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Part Examinations and the Federation
Licensing Examinations (FLEX) have been phased out. This major
change in medical licensure procedures, plus the recognition that
the majority of medical schools required passing the USMLE Step
I exam as a separate requirement for promotion to clinical clerkships
or for graduation, has led to a reconsideration of the role of
the USMLE at The George Washington University School of Medicine
and Health Sciences. Passing the USMLE Step I exam is essential
to obtaining a license to practice medicine in the US; and, while
our graduates may not choose to practice, we believe passing these
exams should ultimately be among criteria for graduation.
As of 1998, USMLE exams are to be administered by computer, and
are scheduled directly by students on a first-come, first-served
basis. In the following policy, the dates will be strictly enforced.
It is the student's responsibility to establish and complete the
exam prior to the dates noted. Excuses based on inability to schedule
the exam will not be accepted.
USMLE Step I
All students are required to take USMLE Step I by June 30 of Year
II. All students will be allowed to begin the Year III program,
but a Pass grade is required as a prerequisite to being allowed
to continue beyond the first clerkship of Year III. (Students
who receive a CN and/or F grades in one or more required courses
of three or more credits in Year II may petition the Dean to extend
the deadline to September 30 of that year.)
Students who receive a Fail grade on Step I (in the exam[s] taken
prior to June 30 of Year II) are to complete the first clerkship
of Year III (in July and August) and then have the following two
options:
Option A: To take a leave of
absence from school for the month of September and retake the
exam by September 30. The student will resume Year III in October
and while awaiting the score to be recorded. It this is the
student's second attempt at Step I and s/he does not achieve
a Pass grade, then the student is placed on leave of absence
until recording a passing score. A passing score must be recorded
by June 30th the following year.
Option B: To take a leave of absence
from school until a passing grade is recorded. The score must
be recorded by June 30th the following year.
Students who fail Step I three times or who do not meet these
testing deadlines are at risk for academic dismissal. Section
C of the Regulations for MD Candidates will apply in this situation.
USMLE Step II
Students matriculating in the fall 1999 semester and thereafter
are required to record a passing grade on Step II prior to graduation.
Students are encouraged to submit applications for USMLE Step
II by July 1 of the year prior to graduation. Students are encouraged
to submit applications for USMLE Step II by July 1 of the year
prior to graduation and to schedule the exam no later than December
31 of their fourth year. (The exam is not offered during the
first two weeks of January.) This scheduling will allow adequate
time for processing of the application and for results to be
reported well in advance of graduation. In the event of a failing
grade, it will allow time to repeat the exam. Students who fail
Step II three times will be at risk for academic dismissal;
Section C of the Regulations for M.D. Candidates will apply
in these situations. No student will be allowed to receive the
Doctor of Medicine degree without a passing grade of Step II.
If a student chooses to take Step II after January 1 of the
fourth year and fails the exam, NBME restrictions on processing
time, rescheduling of the exam, and reporting of scores will
not allow sufficient time to permit the student to graduate
on time. It is unlikely that a student with a delayed graduation
will be allowed to start the scheduled residency.
I. Doctor of Medicine Special Policy
Within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a division
exists to accommodate certain MD candidates in special situations.
These include students who are not carrying a full academic
load, but who are repeating courses during the academic year.
Also included are students in a decelerated program that allows
them to complete the work of the first two semesters across
the span of two academic years. Other special programs may be
developed for inclusion in this division. The Regulations for
MD Candidates apply to all students in the Doctor of Medicine
Special Programs, with the following exception for students
in the decelerated program.
For all required courses of the first two years in the decelerated
program -- normally taken during the first two semesters of
the regular four-year program -- students are required to achieve
better than a minimally passing performance as evidence of the
likelihood of success when later carrying a full academic load.
To be allowed to continue from one semester to the next, the
student must achieve a grade in each course of three or more
credit hours that is passing by departmental standards and that,
in addition, is not more than one standard deviation below the
mean for the whole class (being all those students in both the
regular and decelerated program taking that course). Any student
who fails to meet this standard may be dismissed summarily by
action of the dean without review by the MSEC.
Upon successful completion of the entire (traditional) first-year
curriculum, students will be transferred into the regular MD
program and will be graded as all other medical students. At
that point, the exception regarding dismissal without review
by the MSEC no longer applies.
Adopted September 1, 1982, by the Medical Center Faculty
Senate
As amended by the Medical Center Faculty Senate November 3,
1982; May 6, 1992; June 16, 1995;
by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee June 17, 1997; October
21, 1997; June 30,
1998;
by the Faculty Senate February 3, 1999; November 16, 1999; September
6, 2002; February 7, 2007.
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