Student Performance Committee

The Student Performance Committee (SPC) is a recommending body to the Dean of the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (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, but is not limited to 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, failure to meet the requirements of remediation assignments, failing a required licensing board exam, or failing a clinical clerkship rotation. Unsatisfactory performance due to unprofessional behavior is a failure to meet MCOM’s behavioral and/or professionalism standards, expectations, policies or requirements and as otherwise outlined in the RVU Student Handbook. Upon gathering information, interviewing the student, and conducting an investigation as appropriate, the SPC will meet, deliberate on its findings and make a recommendation to the Dean regarding the student’s future at MCOM.

Examples of recommendations to the Dean from the SPC may include but are not limited to:

  • Academic counseling or other counseling
  • Professionalism training and monitoring
  • Remediation of failed course(s) or clinical rotation
  • Repeat the failed course(s)
  • Repeat the failed clinical clerkship
  • Repeat the academic year
  • Leave of absence
  • Dismissal from the institution
  • Other actions deemed appropriate by the SPC

Meetings will be held on an as-needed basis and will be called by the Chair. A minimum of four (4) additional voting committee members must be present to constitute a quorum. SPC meetings are closed and confidential.

 

SPC Procedures

  1. A student will be referred to the SPC for two (2) or more course failures and/or for a failure of a course remediation.  A student will also be referred to the SPC for an egregious breach in professionalism or as deemed appropriate by the Professionalism Committee.
  2. The SPC will review records, documentation, and other information to confirm failure of courses, a failure of a remediation, or violation of professionalism. If there are any questions regarding the accuracy of the information, the SPC may, in its discretion, speak with faculty, administration, and other relevant persons and may request additional information and/or documentation.
  3. The student will be notified of the requirement to attend in-person or online meetings with the SPC by the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs via email to the student’s RVU email address or a hand-delivered letter.
  4. If the student believes they are being wrongfully referred to the SPC, the student must submit a written statement with evidence or other supporting information of the error for SPC referral to the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs within three (3) business days of the original notice. The Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs will then investigate and notify the student in a timely fashion regarding the wrongful referral and requirement to meet with the SPC.
  5. Prior to meeting with the SPC, the student is encouraged to submit a personal statement to address the issues and concern(s) regarding the referral.
  6. At the SPC meeting, the student will be given the opportunity to present their statements to the SPC and respond to any questions. After this interview, the student will then be excused from the meeting.
  7. Legal representation at the meeting is prohibited. However, students may be accompanied by one (1) support person who will only be an observer at the meeting; this guest will not be allowed to speak to the committee on behalf of the student. Prior notification to the Assistant/Associate Dean of Students affairs is required to bring a support person at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  8. Students who are out-of-state for a valid reason or on clinical clerkship rotations may be allowed to appear and speak with the SPC via phone or electronic medium (e.g. Zoom, Skype) at the discretion of the SPC.
  9. The SPC will consider the additional information and testimony provided by the student and will make a recommendation to the Dean.
  10. The Dean may accept, reject, or modify the SPC recommendation(s).
  11. The Dean’s decision letter will be forwarded to the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs to be communicated to the student.
  12. The student will be notified of the Dean’s decision within ten (10) business days of receipt of that decision by the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs. All communications with the student from this point forward will be facilitated and directed through the Office of Student Affairs.
  13. The student may appeal the Dean’s decision in writing to the Provost of RVU for the following reasons: significant error in fact that materially affected the outcome, evidence of bias demonstrated by the committee or the Dean, the result of the decision imposed is extraordinarily disproportionate, significant errors of process that materially impacted the outcome, or new information and supporting documentation relevant to the situation that was not available at the time of the SPC meeting. Evidence must be produced and submitted to the SPC within five (5) business days.  During the appeal process, the student should continue to participate in all required coursework and exams.
  14. The appeal decision of the Provost of RVU will be rendered in writing and is final with no further opportunity for appeals.  The appeals process is stated in the student handbook.

 

SPC Decisions

The SPC will make a recommendation to the Dean of MCOM. The Dean may accept, reject, or modify the recommendation. The student will be notified of the Dean’s decision within ten (10) business days by the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The Dean’s decision and notification will be in writing.

 

Definitions

Course – Core curriculum courses and clinical clerkships that are required for graduation and conferral of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. For the specific purpose of this SPC document, the term “course” does not include elective courses or certificate courses.

Course Failure - The failure of a course and/or the failure of a course remediation.

Preclinical Student Success Team (SST) - The SST supports student wellness and academic success in the preclinical years. The SST is charged with conducting holistic reviews of student academic and professional performance and establishes individualized remediation and success plans and schedules.