Attendance and Absences

Attendance
In the first two years, attendance is required at all small group activities,
see below (e.g., POM1 and POM2, labs). While lecture is optional, it
is highly recommended. Attendance at all clinical activities is required.
Policy on Small Group Sessions
Small group sessions are valuable learning situations as they exercise
a number of activities critical to the function of a physician. Physicians
rarely if ever function alone. The practice of medicine is complex and
requires the cooperation of many individuals.
Small group sessions place the student in cooperative learning situations
involving purposeful discussion, group interaction, teamwork, and assessment
of group and of self.
Small group sessions build effective communication with training in
both verbal and listening skills.
Small group sessions build the skills needed for team dynamics.
Small group sessions provide opportunities for one-on-one with teachers.
Small group sessions provide opportunities for students to teach one
another.
For the reasons outlined above, small group sessions are required activities
for students.
Participation in small group sessions is an important part of the learning
process and it is expected that students will participate to the best
of their ability.
Case based learning situations where contributions from all are needed
to model the health team approach.
Functioning in a team environment requires the ability to lead in some
situations and the ability to follow in others.
(Curriculum Committee 1/22/2004)
Clinical Service Work Hours
Medical students rotating on clinical services (clerkships, selectives
and electives) should be subject to the same principles that govern the
80-hour work week for residents. Clerkship directors are responsible
for monitoring and ensuring that duty hours are adjusted as necessary.
Student duty hours should be set taking into account the
effects of fatigue and sleep deprivation on learning and patient care.
In general, medical students should not be required to work longer hours
than residents*. (Curriculum Committee 9/9/2004)
* LCME Standard ED-38.
Reporting of Absences
Students who are absent because of illness lasting more than two days
should be evaluated at Student Health and notify the Office for Student
Affairs. The appropriate instructors will then be informed. Students
with clinical responsibilities should also notify an appropriate member
of
the resident or attending staff as soon as possible so that their responsibilities
can be assumed by someone else. Anticipated absences for personal reasons
should be arranged with the director of the course or clerkship or the
supervisor of the elective. Absences of longer than two days and recurrent
absences should be discussed with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs,
Dr. Richard D. Pearson. (8/2000)
Delay of Examinations
Examinations may be delayed only for reasons of illness, or under unusual
circumstances for compelling personal reasons. In all instances, approval
to delay an examination must be obtained from Dr. Richard D. Pearson,
Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students who seek to delay an examination
for medical reasons must also be seen by a member of the Department
of
Student Health. When approval is given to delay an examination, it is
the student's responsibility to schedule a time with the course director
for the examination. (8/2000)
Withdrawal and Readmission
Withdrawals from the School of Medicine may be of four types:
- Voluntary Withdrawal - at the request of the student for academic
or personal reasons.
- Medical Withdrawal - on recommendation of a physician.
- Academic Withdrawal - by action of the Student Promotions Committee.
- Administrative Withdrawal - by action of the Dean's Office.
Students wishing to arrange a voluntary or medical withdrawal should
consult with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs who will advise
them of the necessary administrative procedures. It should be noted that
students
must complete the requirements for the M.D. degree within 6 years
of first matriculation in the School of Medicine.
Students who wish to be readmitted after withdrawal must notify the
Associate Dean for Student Affairs, in writing, at least sixty days prior
to the date requested by the student for readmission. A longer period
of notification is desirable if scheduling of clerkships or electives
is involved. Acceptance for readmission will depend on availability (class
size not to exceed 144 in years 1, 2, 3). Applications for readmission
will be kept on file and will be considered in the ordered received as
positions become available.
Students without academic deficiencies who withdrew within the previous
12 months may be readmitted at the discretion of the Associate Dean
for
Student Affairs. Students without academic deficiencies who have withdrawn
for medical reasons within the previous 12 months and who receive clearance
from the Department of Student Health may be readmitted at the discretion
of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Requests for readmission from students who had academic deficiencies
at the time of voluntary or medical withdrawal or whose period of withdrawal
has exceeded one year, but is less than two years, will be acted upon
by the Student Promotions Committee. Those on medical withdrawal must
also obtain clearance from the Department of Student Health. A subcommittee
of the Student Promotions Committee will interview the student and review
his/her request for readmission. The subcommittee will make a recommendation
to the Student Promotions Committee which will make a final decision regarding
readmission of the student.
Students whose period of withdrawal is greater than 2 years will have
to reapply through the Office of Admissions.
Students who withdraw whose requests for readmission are denied will
have the right of appeal to the Appeals Committee.
(8/2000)
to Student Handbook
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