Medical Student Conduct and Discipline Policy

To Whom this Policy Applies

UNR Med Medical students

Who Needs to Know This Policy

Students, faculty, staff, administration, residents, community partners

Purpose/Background

The purpose of this policy is to provide students with a framework for the administration of disciplinary action at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) as administered through the Student Promotion and Conduct Committee (SPCC) when dismissal of the student is not being considered.

Policy

1. Discipline other than dismissal (including warning, reprimand, remediation, probation, and/or suspension) may occur if the student engages in "Prohibited Conduct" as set forth in Section 10.2.1 of the NSHE Code (or any successor section of the NSHE Code defining "prohibited conduct"). SPCC may administer discipline other than dismissal at any time a student is determined to have not met cognitive, academic or behavioral standards. These standards include, but are not limited to, the standards set forth in:

a. The Code of Student Professionalism, UNR Med Policy OAA 13-005;
b. Subsections A and B of the UNR "Academic Standards Policy for Students"; 
c. Course syllabi for any course in which the student is or was enrolled;
d. All other "Medical Student Policies" established by UNR Med; and/or Policies of an affiliated training site.

2. The UNR Med Bylaws provide for the organizational and administrative structures and procedures of UNR Med. They shall, at all times, be subordinate to, and consistent with the UNR Bylaws, the NSHE Code, and the laws of both the State of Nevada and the United States. Proceedings considering dismissal follow the Medical Student Discipline, Dismissal and Due Process Policy.
3. Discipline other than dismissal or discussions between the SPCC are governed by this policy.
4. Decisions, other than those relating to dismissal, of the SPCC are final and binding as to all issues.
5. If a student's conduct on campus creates a threat to safety, wellbeing, institution property or normal operations, Emergency Removal proceedings may be imposed consistent with NSHE Code T2 Chapter 10.4.10, or any successor section of the NSHE Code regarding Emergency Removal.
6. Probation, suspension, and dismissal are not to be construed as progressive steps.

Definations

ASA: refers to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

SPCC: The Student Promotion and Conduct Committee is charged with overseeing the personal and professional development of medical students at UNR Med. The SPCC is also UNR Med's disciplinary committee.

UNR Med: refers to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

UNR Med Bylaws: The UNR Med Bylaws provide for the organizational and administrative structures and procedures of UNR Med. They shall, at all times, be subordinate to, and consistent with the UNR Bylaws, the NSHE Code, and the laws of both the State of Nevada and the United States.

Warning: A written warning letter from the chair of the SPCC that outlines the committee's concerns, directives and other relevant information.

Reprimand: A reprimand is a written notice from the chair of the SPCC to the student regarding a violation of academic or professionalism standards.

Remediation: Is a course of action which is required by the SPCC to address a student's conduct, discipline and/or academic issue. This may include, without limitation, attending a seminar, writing a paper, or performing additional classroom or clinical work.

Probation: This is defined period of oversight that begins after a student fails to achieve expected academic or professional milestone or standards such as failing a block, failing a USMLE exam or unprofessional behavior.

Discretionary Sanctions: These are required activities or restrictions identified by the SPCC as discipline that are specific to the student issues.

Suspension: A suspension removes the student from academic status for a period of time that is not intended to be permanent.

Dismissal: Dismissal is permanent termination of student status at UNR Med and covered by the Student Conduct and Due Process policy.

Responsibilities & Procedures

Student Promotion and Conduct Committee's (SPCC) Function and Membership

• Pursuant to the UNR Med's Bylaws, the UNR Med SPCC is charged with overseeing the personal, professional and academic development of medical students at UNR Med. The SPCC is also the medical school's disciplinary committee.
• The SPCC shall include faculty members as stated in the UNR Med Bylaws.

Meetings and Notifications

a. At any time during a student's enrollment and/or matriculation at UNR Med they may be asked to appear before the SPCC for any reason including, but not limited to, consideration of discipline.

b. Students will be notified in writing by email with read receipt of the date, time and place of the meeting with the SPCC at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. The student may waive the 10-day notice period in writing. The notice will include a brief description of reasons for the meeting and the range of possible actions.

c. If materials are to be presented at the meeting, the student and the associate dean for admissions and student affairs will exchange material to be introduced at the meeting at least five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting.

d. Witnesses will not be permitted at the meeting unless requested by the SPCC.

e. At the meeting, the student will be given the opportunity to discuss the proposed action with the committee and to otherwise present their side of the issue(s) raised by the proposed action.

f. The standard of proof that the SPCC will use to make a determination is the preponderance of evidence.

g. The meeting with the SPCC shall be informal and non-adversarial. The student may have one representative present at the meeting that is related to their situation except during times in which the SPCC deliberates without the student present. The student representative's participation is limited to giving advice to the student. If the student elects to have an attorney present as the representative, the associate dean for admissions and student affairs may also elect to have an attorney present, who will also be limited to giving advice. The chair of the SPCC may also request the presence of legal counsel at any time to provide advice to the SPCC. In no event shall an attorney present evidence, make oral arguments, or examine witnesses on behalf of the student, the associate dean for admissions and student affairs or the SPCC.

i. The student is entitled to be present throughout the SPCC meeting with the exception of SPCC deliberations.

ii. The chair of the SPCC will preside over the meeting, maintain order, and determine the relevancy of the information presented to the SPCC.

iii. The SPCC meeting will be closed unless both the student and the associate dean for admissions and student affairs agree in writing to an open meeting. To the extent permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C., Sec. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 (FERPA) or other law, the record of the proceedings will be confidential. All meeting participants will maintain confidentiality of all meeting proceedings except as required by law or called by witness in litigation.

iv. Prior to the SPCC meeting, the student may inspect their UNR Med academic file, excluding any contents of the file which the student has waived his or her right to review.

v. The student may request a copy of their academic file, excluding those matters mentioned above, at their expense. The student may also request a copy of the record of the SPCC meeting at their expense as it relates to their appearance before the SPCC.

h. The chair of the SPCC will email the student and the associate dean for admissions and student affairs a written decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of the close of the meeting. Such decision may include consideration of the matter under the Student Discipline, Dismissal and Due Process Policy. The SPCC maintains sole discretion on whether a matter should be continued to a future meeting for discussion and/or decision.

Other

a. Disciplinary actions and student records/ MSPE
The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) will include all formal probation and suspension actions that have been taken by the SPCC. The MSPE will also include leaves of absence for personal, medical, academic, or administrative reasons. In cases where disciplinary actions are rendered following the release of the MSPE, the associate dean for admissions and student affairs will amend the MSPE and re-release the document to programs and/or will notify the student's program director and provide details regarding the incident that warranted the adverse action.

b. Coordination with the Fitness for Duty Policy

c. A Fitness for Duty Evaluation, pursuant to the Fitness for Duty Policy is not a disciplinary action.