Purpose: Establish guidance for faculty and students regarding student academic and conduct scenarios referred to the Student Promotions and Evaluations Committee (SPEC) for consideration of dismissal.

Applicability: This policy applies to all Whiddon College of Medicine (Whiddon COM) medical students upon matriculation.

Policy Guidelines:

At the Whiddon College of Medicine, academic scenarios regarding progression through the curriculum are evaluated annually with respect to promotion and regularly on a case by case basis as the need arises in conjunction with the Academic Policy. Cases for referral to SPEC not only include those which arise from academic difficulties but also can include those cases wherein there has been a reported lapse in professional behavior by Whiddon COM students.

Whiddon COM students are subject to dismissal including but not limited to any of the following scenarios:

1. An F grade is received for more than two (2) courses/modules in the M1 or M2 years.
2. An F, UF, or temporary grade is received for more than two (2) clerkships.
3. An F or UF grade is received in any module or clerkship while on academic probation.
4. A clerkship NBME is failed for the third time.
5. The final OSCE is not successfully remediated within the timeframe designated by the Division of Medical Education.
6. USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 is failed on the third attempt.
7. One or more terms of a professionalism contract is violated.
8. Participating in illegal or unprofessional activities or displaying actions that endanger the safety and wellbeing of others.

Once SPEC has recommended the dismissal of a student, the recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine. As with any SPEC decision, the student has the right to appeal the decision following the policies and procedures outlined for SPEC. Depending on the specific scenario, the SPEC can also recommend that the student be temporarily removed from the learning environment during the timeframe which coincides with the appeal process. When either the timeframe has lapsed for the appeal to be filed or the ad hoc appeals committee convenes and renders a decision, the Dean is once again notified of these outcomes.

Any student whose dismissal is recommended by the SPEC and accepted by the Dean will be informed of the action in writing by the Dean or the Associate Deans for Medical Education and Student Affairs. Should a student choose to voluntarily withdraw from the Whiddon COM prior to the Dean rendering a decision, the SPEC can accept the student’s voluntary withdrawal. However, if the Dean accepts SPEC’s recommendation for dismissal and renders a decision, the decision of the Dean is final and there is no other appeal or possibility of voluntary withdrawal.

A student dismissed from the Whiddon College of Medicine is required to complete exit interviews with the Offices of Student Records and Financial Aid, pay any outstanding emergency loans and fines owed to the University, and return any University property including badges, dosimeters and fobs.