The Student Conduct Council

The Student Conduct Council was created to serve two purposes:

A.    To educate the student body in the development of ethical professional values; and

B.    To assist the student body in monitoring its own professional conduct.

The Council is a student organization and not an arm of the administration.  It is the desire of the Council to function in a proactive manner, by educating the student body and encouraging the development of professional ethics.

Professional ethics and attitudes are developed through active individual decision making.  It is the goal of the Council to assist individuals in setting high standards of conduct for themselves, their peers and the entire medical profession.

Procedures for Management of Charges of Misconduct

Procedure for the Observer of a Violation

In the event that a student, or any other member of the College community, observes a student violation or suspected violation of the Principles of Professional Behavior, the following alternatives are available (it is strongly encouraged that all observations be recorded in writing before any of these actions are taken, to ensure that all relevant facts are included and that no distortions of the observations occur):

1.             Approach the student directly.  An open discussion of the events and attitudes involved with the suspected infraction may clarify the relevant details and may or may not obviate the need for involvement of the Council.

2.             Approach a member of the Council.  This may be done before or after a discussion with the student. The observer may choose this option for any reason (feels uncomfortable approaching the student, did not get anywhere with the student, feels that the infraction is too severe to not be investigated, etc.). The Council member will at his or her discretion:

a.             drop the matter, if within approved guidelines

b.             approach the student

c.             bring the matter to the attention of the full council 

3.             Approach the entire Council.  In the event of a severe infraction, the incident may be immediately brought to the attention of the entire Council. The observer must record all facts in writing and submit a copy of this document to the Chair of the Council. The Council will act upon the matter as outlined below. 

Procedures for the Council

NOTICE

When the Conduct Council will meet to consider a report of misconduct, a written notice will be sent via certified mail or will be hand delivered to the student who is charged and any necessary witnesses. The notice shall contain:

a.             a statement of the nature of the inquiry

b.             the date, time and place of the Conduct Council meeting

c.             If a student charged with misconduct fails to respond to the notice, the Conduct Council may turn the matter over to the Dean for further action.

MEETING(S)

a.             The Conduct Council will consider matters of misconduct as soon as possible after receipt of the report.

b.             The Conduct Council will consider each case on an individual basis.

c.             All meetings to consider misconduct will be closed unless the student(s) charged, the Conduct Council and the witnesses agree to an open meeting.

d.             More than one meeting may be held, if necessary, to consider the matter fully.

e.             A record of all testimony and evidence will be kept in the Conduct Council files, which will be stored in a locked area in the office of Conduct Council’s faculty advisor.

RIGHTS OF THE STUDENT CHARGED WITH MISCONDUCT

Students who are charged with misconduct will be accorded the following:

a.             the right to notice of all meetings to consider the misconduct

b.             the right to be accompanied by an advocate who is a member of the College of Medicine community

c.             the right to hear and question all adverse witnesses

d.             the right to present evidence and witnesses on his/her own behalf

e.             the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty

THE DECISION(S) OF CONDUCT COUNCIL

a.             The decisions of the Conduct Council constitute a recommen­dation to the dean of the College.  The Dean will make the final decision in all matters of student discipline.

b.             A decision of the Conduct Council is one that is supported by 3/4 of the members present and voting.

c.             The Conduct Council will consider each case on an individual basis.

d.             The possible recommendations of the Conduct Council to the Dean include, but are not limited to:

1)     Exoneration.  If the council recommends exoneration, there is no requirement to notify the Dean.  The person bringing the complaint and all witnesses will be notified of the outcome.

2)     Informal Reprimand.  The conduct council will make a notation in the conduct council files. No record will be placed in the student file. There is no requirement to notify the Dean.

3)     Formal Reprimand.  Written recommendation to the Associate dean of the College is required.  The Associate Dean of the College will assure an appropriate record of the decision is placed in the student file. 

4)     Probation.  A period of time during which certain rights may be suspended or a time during which behavior will be carefully scrutinized. Written recom­mendation to the associate dean of the College is required. The Associate Dean of the College will assure an appropriate record of the decision is placed in the student file.

5)     Suspension.  Removal from the College with the possibility of reentry. Written recommendation to the Dean of the College is required. The Dean will assure an appropriate record of the decision is placed in the student file.

                        6)     Expulsion.  Removal from the College with no possibility of reentry. Written recommenda­tion to the Dean of the College is required. The Dean will assure an appropriate record of the decision is placed in the student file.

e.     The conduct council will consult with the general counsel regarding legal matters.

f.      The chairperson of the conduct council may, at the request of the student charged with misconduct, provide an oral state­ment of the conduct council’s decision.

g.     The chairperson of the Conduct Council shall prepare a written statement of the Conduct Council’s decision.

h.     The statement will be sent within five working days of the meeting (or the last meeting if more than one is required) to the student by first class mail. The statement may also be hand delivered.