VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

c.) If a determination cannot be made the HCC votes “Not enough evidence exists for the HCC to make the determination of guilty or not guilty”. In this situation, the case is referred back to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

11. If the HCC determines the accused to be guilty, the Chair will accept a motion and a second to the motion to classify the offense as a Class I Minor Offense, Class II Offense (includes a Repeated Offense), or a Class III offense. a. The HCC shall make sanction recommendations to the Campus Dean for students found guilty of Class I offenses. b. Class II or Class III offenses are referred to the Campus Dean for his/her determination of action. F. Finalization and Notification . The Chair will review the recommendation with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to assure that it aligns with College Policy. The Chair will then revise or submit the final recommendation to the Campus Dean. 1. The Campus Dean will accept the finding of guilty or not guilty and/or determine a need for further referral. 2. The Campus Dean will meet with the accused and provide a letter outlining all sanctions recommended by the Council on all Class I offenses and those that will be imposed by the Campus 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.

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