Code of Academic and Social Conduct Policy

PURPOSE
To outline the School of Medicine Code of Academic and Social Conduct which uphold standards of academic excellence, promote integrity and fairness, and confront behaviors that impair the teaching and learning environment.

AUDIENCE
All medical students

LCME STANDARD
N/A

POLICY

• Authority for student discipline resides with the Committee on Student Promotions for lapses in academic conduct, including professional lapses, and with the Vice Dean of Medical Education in all other instances.
• All disciplinary action taken by the Vice Dean of Medical Education, operates by delegation of the Chancellor’s authority.

Code of Academic Conduct: The UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct (COAC) applies to all educational activities including, but not limited to:

1. Quizzes and Examinations: Multiple choice question exams (e.g., NBME), written exams, standardized patient encounters (OSCE), etc.
   1. When students take an examination at an alternate time from other students, it is even more imperative that the COAC be strictly applied.
   2. A student taking an examination at other than the regular time has the obligation not to place themselves in a position where the examination is being discussed.
   3. It is inappropriate to discuss any aspect of the examination with any students who have not taken the exam. This includes comments on content and difficulty of the examination.
   4. Students must maintain confidentiality of examination materials, including not reproducing, attempting to reproduce, or keeping examination materials beyond the duration of the exam.
2. Assignments: Clinical notes (clerkship or standardized patient encounters), short essays, reflections, oral or written presentations, etc.
3. Sharing of active learning sessions materials (e.g., cases), unless otherwise specified from the Course Director/IOR.

• Students found in violation of the policy are subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to dismissal, by the Committee on Student Promotions.
• Please refer to the COAC; a section of the UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline, for further details.

Code of Social Conduct: The UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline applies to all types of social conduct, including, but not limited to computer misuse, drug and alcohol violations, theft, physical and sexual violence, sexual harassment, all types of stalking, bullying, any conduct that threatens health and safety, and other similar actions or activities.

• Students found in violation of the policy are subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to dismissal, by the Committee on Student Promotions.
• Please refer to these four policies for further details:
  1. UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline
  2. University of California – Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVSH) Policy
  3. University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS) - Appendix E
  4. University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS) – Appendix F

PROCEDURE

1. Suspected violations to the Code of Conduct should be reported to the Associate Dean of Students and/or the Committee on Student Promotions in writing. The Committee on Student Promotions will review the allegations in conjunction with the Associate Dean of Students and determine if disciplinary action is warranted and adjudicate on the nature of the action (as outlined in the School's Regulations).
2. The Committee on Student Promotions will review the allegations in conjunction with the Associate Dean of Students and determine if disciplinary action is warranted and adjudicate on the nature of the action (as outlined in the School's Regulations).
3. Alleged violations that are non-academic in nature shall be reviewed by the Associate Dean of Students and using the preponderance of the evidence standard if any disciplinary action is warranted, the Vice Dean of Education shall be responsible for implementation.

RESPONSIBILITY
Associate Dean of Students or Vice Dean of Medical Education

REFERENCES
UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct

RELATED POLICY/POLICIES
Student Code of Conduct Policy
Professionalism Policy
Exam Policy
Pre-Clerkship Classroom Policy
MSPE Policy
Dismissal Policy

POLICY OWNER
Vice Dean for Medical Education

REVIEWED BY
Vice Dean for Medical Education*
Associate Dean for Students
Associate Dean for Medical Education
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Committee on Student Promotions
Committee on Educational Policy

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
August 2021; 3-year cycle

* indicates the policy owner