VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

to the end of the semester in which the original workshop was missed, whichever comes first. Failure to attend/make-up an OMM workshop within the designated timeline will result in an “F” grade for the course and the student will be brought before the Promotion Board. • In the case of an unexcused absence (as determined by the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs) of an OMM workshop, the student will earn an “F” grade for the course and will be brought before the Promotion Board. The student must meet with the OMM Discipline Chair and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Mechanism to Verify Attendance – OMS 3 and OMS 4 Students Clinical site coordinators and preceptors document attendance on the student’s rotation evaluation form. This information is reviewed by the Director of 3 rd Year Clinical Rotations, the Director of 4 th Year Clinical Rotations, the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and the Associate Dean for OMS 4 and GME. OMS 3 and OMS 4 Excused Absences Excused absences are those that may be expected or unexpected and that meet the criteria for an excused absence as outlined below. Students must request approval for a planned or unplanned excused absence for 1 or more days absent from the rotation. Regardless of whether an excused absence is granted, students must still complete a minimum of 160 hours for a 4-week rotation and 80 hours for a 2-week rotation in order to pass the rotation. Excused absences will not be granted after the fact, except in emergencies as verified by the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs or the Associate Dean for OMS 4 and GME. Students should be aware that preceptors are not required to allow a student to make-up time missed during a rotation; therefore, the make-up requirement is at the discretion of the Chair and the Associate Dean. Any time missed must be remediated during the course of the rotation for credit to be issued. Students may remediate up to four missed days, or 48 hours missed during any rotation period by working on normal days off. Planned Excused Absences for OMS 3 and OMS 4 Students Planned excused absences are those that a student is aware of a minimum of 30 days prior to the absence and requires an absence from the academic program for 1 or more days absent from the rotation. Planned, non-medical absences may be considered excused only under specific circumstances that demonstrate a compelling personal or professional obligation. Acceptable reasons include, but are not limited to, participation in a professional conference (as a presenter or active attendee), mandatory court appearances, weddings in which the student is a direct participant (e.g., member of the wedding party), or other significant life events that require the student’s active involvement and are deemed appropriate upon review. Absences for extended breaks, trips/vacations, personal obligations outside of the academic program (e.g., shadowing, volunteering, etc.), or religious observances are not considered justification for an excused absence under this policy. Students are encouraged to consult the academic calendar and plan accordingly to avoid scheduling conflicts. Excused absences fall into two categories: • Planned Excused Absences • Unplanned Excused Absences See below for the policies and procedures for requesting a planned or unplanned excused absence.

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