VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

Academic Probation

Academic Probation is a formal status imposed on a medical student as a result of a ruling by the Campus Dean or Provost, following a recommendation by the Promotion Board, when the student failing to make satisfactory academic progress and/or has not met the minimum standards required for good academic standing. Academic Probation serves as an official notice that the student must improve academically and meet or exceed the minimum academic standards. When a student is placed on Academic Probation, this status replaces the student’s prior status of “good standing” for the duration of the probationary period. The status of academic probation formally notifies the student, faculty, and administration that the student has experienced academic difficulty and requires additional academic support, which may include counseling, tutoring, or other academic interventions designed to address identified deficiencies. Any student who fails to demonstrate adequate academic progress will be placed on academic probation by the Campus Dean or the Provost and will be notified of this status in writing by the Campus Dean or the Provost. Upon recommendation of the Promotion Board, the Campus Dean or Provost will determine the length of academic probation, which is generally not less than one calendar year, or until the student is formally released from academic probation by the Campus Dean or Provost. During the period of academic probation, the Campus Dean or the Provost may limit a student’s participation in extracurricular activities when deemed necessary to support the student’s academic success and ensure appropriate focus on remediation and progression in the curriculum. Academic Probation is not reported on the transcript; however, academic probation is required to be reported as a component of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The Associate Dean and the Campus Dean will meet to review the record of each student on academic probation each block/rotation to evaluate the student’s academic progress. At the end of any block/rotation where a student on academic probation does not make academic progress (by earning additional grades below 70% or failing to pass the clinical rotation evaluation, their GPA falling below 2.80, or other reasons as determined by the Campus Dean), the Promotion Board will meet again regarding the student’s future with the College. When the term of academic probation is nearing completion, the Campus Dean and the Associate Dean will meet to review the record of the student to evaluate the student’s academic progress. As the end date for academic probation is not the determining factor for the removal of the status of academic probation, the Campus Dean and Associate Dean will review the student’s academic history to determine whether the student has made significant improvement in their academic standing to be removed from academic probation. If the student has demonstrated improvement in their academic standing, including maintaining a GPA of 2.80 or greater, passing all courses/components of courses/rotations, and meeting any other requirements outlined as part of their academic probation, the Campus Dean may remove the student from academic probation and place them in good academic standing. If the student has not demonstrated significant improvement in their academic standing, including maintaining a GPA of 2.80 or greater, passing all courses/components of courses/rotations, and meeting any other requirements outlined as part of their academic probation, the Campus Dean may extend the term of academic probation at their discretion and may add additional requirements designed to assist the student in improving their academic status. The Campus Dean will notify the student in writing of their decision.

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