Overview
The SPC is a recommending body to the Dean of MCOM that will gather information and meet with individual students who have demonstrated unsatisfactory performance as an MCOM student. Unsatisfactory performance is constituted by poor academic performance or breach of professionalism. Poor academic performance includes failing two or more courses in each of the pre-clinical years of the core curriculum, failing one course in a repeat year, failing a course remediation exam, failing a required licensing board exam, or failing a clinical clerkship rotation. Unsatisfactory performance due to unprofessional behavior as outlined in the RVU- MCOM student handbook. Upon gathering information, interviewing the student, and conducting appropriate investigation if needed, the SPC will deliberate on its findings and offer a recommendation to the Dean regarding the student’s future at MCOM. Recommendations to the Dean from the SPC may include:
- Academic counseling or other counseling
- Remediation of failed course(s) or clinical rotation
- Repeat the failed course(s) or clinical rotation (this is only available for clinical phase students)
- Repeat the academic year
- Dismissal from the institution
- Other actions deemed appropriate by the SPC
Procedure
If requested to appear before the SPC, students must appear at the appointed time and place.
- The student shall receive adequate notice of the time, place, and subject of the meeting. Such written notice may be in the form of an official University email, U.S. mail, or a hand-delivered written message.
- Appearance before the SPC is mandatory. A student on clinical clerkships at a location remote from campus, may be allowed to converse with the SPC via phone or video conference.
- Legal representation is prohibited.
- The student will be given the opportunity to present a statement to the SPC in written and oral form.
Proceedings of the SPC are closed and confidential. Members of the SPC are not permitted to discuss issues brought before the SPC outside of a formal SPC meeting.
Recommendations
The SPC will make a recommendation of action to the Dean (or designee). The Dean (or designee) may accept, reject, or modify the recommendations of the SPC, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Remediation of failed courses;
- Remediation of a clinical clerkship;
- Repeat of an academic year or clinical year;
- Specific remedial educational activities;
- Placement of the student on academic probation;
- Academic or other counseling;
- Dismissal from school.
Notifications
The student shall be notified of the decision of the Dean (or designee) by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs within (10) business days.
Appeals
The appeal must be based on one or more of the following: 1) a significant error in fact that materially impacted the outcome ; 2) evidence of demonstrated prejudice by the Dean or the SPC that affected the outcome; 3) new material information or evidence that was not available at the time of the SPC’s consideration of this matter or was not available and could not be made available to the Dean at the time of his decision; 4) the sanction imposed is extraordinarily disproportionate to the offense committed; and 5) errors of process under the Student Handbook involving your rights that materially affected the outcome of this matter. Any new material or evidence must be submitted with the appeal.
Should the student in question decide to appeal the decision of the Dean (or designee), the appeal will be heard by the Provost (or designee). The student may appeal the decision by writing to the Provost (or designee) within five (5) business days following the date that notification is received. During the appeal, students will continue to be enrolled and should continue to attend classes or clerkships and sit for exams. The answer to the appeal will come directly from, and be signed by, the Provost (or designee). The decision of the Provost (or designee) is final.