VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

Dean. G. All proceedings and sanctions shall be confidential and shall be enforced by the administration only. H. The entire proceedings from accusation to hearing recommendations must not exceed 8 calendar weeks. School breaks and holidays are not included in the time computation. Classification of Offenses and Sanctions The HCC ranks violations according to class so as to help maintain consistency. The HCC recognizes the following classifications and recommended sanctions: A. Class I Offense 1. Type of offense: Minor offense that does not include cheating. 2. Recommended sanctions: HCC education on offense, directives on how to correct behaviors, B. Class II Offense 1. Type of offense: Significant offense, including but not limited to cheating, unprofessional behavior in a professional environment (clinical or mission trip), unprofessional behavior toward faculty/staff/administration, and/or significant unprofessional behavior toward a fellow student or colleagues that warrants concerns over the integrity and trust of the individual as a future physician. If the HCC finds that a Class II offense has occurred, the case will be referred to the Campus Dean for determination of sanctions. 2. Recommended sanctions: Sanctions for Class II offenses are determined by the Campus Dean. C. Class III Offense 1. Type of Offense: A major offense of unethical, illegal, or professional misconduct. This category may also include an elevation of a prior offense after multiple or repeated Class I or II offenses occur following education and/or sanctions. If the HCC finds a major offense of professional or unethical conduct has likely occurred or elevates a prior offense to a Class III offense, the case will be referred to the Campus Dean. 2. Upon referral to the Campus Dean, the accused will be referred to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs for clarification of policies and procedures regarding hearings of Class III Offenses. At the Campus Dean’s discretion, the student may select one of the following options: and/or college or community service as assigned by the Campus Dean. 3. The Campus Dean may add sanctions as he or she deems necessary.

a. The student may request that the sanctions be determined solely by the Campus Dean. The Campus Dean must be willing to hear the case without a Three Person Panel or Professional and Ethical Standards Board. The decision of the Campus Dean may be appealed to the President. b. The student may request a Three Person Panel to hear the case. After hearing the case, the Three Person Panel will make their recommendations regarding sanctions to the Campus Dean. The decision of the Three Person Panel may be appealed to the Campus Dean only if new, relevant, and material information exists that was not available to the Panel. c. The student may request the Professional and Ethical Standards Board to hear the case. Additionally, if the student does not choose option 1 or 2 or the Campus Dean refuses to hear the case alone and the student does not choose the 3-person panel, a Professional and Ethical Standards Board will be called. The Board will be appointed by the Campus Dean. See the Professional and Ethical Standards Board section for more information.

Rights and Obligations of the Accused Any member of the student body who is accused of a VCOM Honor Code violation and brought before the HCC shall be granted these rights and shall be bound by these obligations: A. Rights of the Accused : 1. To decline to speak about the suspected violation outside the HCC.

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