Academic Regulations
All students enrolled in the University are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the scholastic regulations, the general and specific requirements of the academic program, and the operational policies that govern the program of study. Additional information may be found in the Medical Student Handbook.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
As part of its review, the Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant in the areas of personal and academic integrity and personal values. An invitation to join the COM community indicates that the institution feels that the applicant has a well-developed set of values and a high level of integrity. The faculty and administration are committed to fostering this sense of integrity and helping students develop an increasing awareness of the multifaceted demands of professionalism: as student physicians who are ultimately responsible for their own learning, as people who need constantly to reappraise themselves, and as future physicians who must learn to cope with a new set of demands.
Student physicians are expected to behave with respect and integrity, to face new situations and people with open minds, to maintain their intellectual and personal curiosity, and to meet their obligations. These expectations form the basis of student responsibilities.
On the other hand, student rights are based on the premise of reciprocity. That is, students should be met with the same sense of integrity, respect, and openness.
Standards for Professional Behavior and Conduct
In order to evaluate acceptable demonstration of professional behavior and conduct for graduation, the following standards were adopted by the UNECOM faculty:
- Behaves in a responsible, reliable and dependable manner. e.g. manages time well, is on time for assignments, meetings, and appointments; plans ahead; follows through with commitments; cooperates with person(s) in charge of programs; and takes responsibility for absences or missed assignments.
- Demonstrates personal integrity, honesty, and self-discipline (e.g. is consistent and truthful, shows appropriate personal control, takes on tasks that he/she can manage; honest in reports and self-evaluations).
- Projects a professional image in manner, dress, grooming, speech, and interpersonal relationships that is consistent with the medical profession's accepted contemporary community standards (e.g. maintains awareness of personal hygiene, wears white coat and name tag if expected, notifies preceptor or other leader in case of emergency absence or calls to apologize if unable to notify in advance; is respectful of other students and patients when doing physical diagnosis or treatment).
- Recognizes his/her personal limitations and biases, whether they are intellectual, physical or emotional; strives to correct them (e.g. overcomes negative behaviors such as procrastination, learns to be a team member, and adapts to new situations; avoids discriminatory conduct or speech).
- Demonstrates the professional and emotional maturity to manage tensions and conflicts which occur among professional, personal, and family responsibilities, seeking professional help if necessary (e.g. meets with supposed antagonists to resolve misunderstandings, gets needed help from faculty advisors, tutors, counselors, learning assistance professionals and other qualified persons, shows ability to appropriately prioritize personal, professional, and academic expectations and activities).
- Demonstrates the ability to exercise sound judgment and to function under pressure (e.g. requests help when needed and does not endanger others, respects the difference between student doctor and doctor, and remains focused on the task at hand; remembers that as student doctor he/she represents UNECOM to the community).
- Demonstrates ability to learn from mistakes and failures, heeds admonitions and warnings from officers of UNECOM and of clinical supervisors (e.g. is responsive to feedback and constructive criticism regarding professional behavior and attitude, understands the seriousness of academic and disciplinary warnings).
- Demonstrates compassion and respect toward others (e.g. works cooperatively with differences and diversity in personalities and in cultural backgrounds as well as with differences in social and in economic status, and respects the privacy and individual choice of others).
- Consistently demonstrates respect for administrators, faculty, staff, and fellow students of the University.
Failure to abide by these standards may result in academic warning, probation, or dismissal.Registration
The University conducts an annual registration for first and second year students during the initial days of the new academic year. During this process, students are expected to finalize payment of tuition and related fees, as delineated in the section, entitled Tuition & Fees, including filing appropriate documents with the Offices of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Business Affairs, and Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services. In addition, all new, incoming students are required to undergo a complete physical examination, meet UNECOM immunization requirements, and complete the medical questionnaire provided by the University as a prerequisite to enrollment. Failure to comply with meeting immunization requirement may result in the inability to register for courses, receive course grades or proceed with clinical assignments.
Academic Records
Complete records and related documents are maintained in the Office of the University Registrar, Decary Hall. Under the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students have the right to review and inspect all education records pertaining to the students. However, letters of recommendation submitted on the basis of a pledge of confidentiality prior to January 1, 1975 need not be shown to students, and a student may be allowed but not required to waive his/her right of access to letters of recommendation received after that date. Under the terms FERPA, post-secondary institutions must provide students not only access to official records directly related to them, but also an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. It is the right of students to file a complaint with the Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by an educational agency or institution to comply with section 438 of the Act that guarantees such rights.
University students wishing to review their records may do so by providing a written request to the Office of the University Registrar.
Student Access and Annual Notification
FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. The student should submit to the Office of the Registrar (at the University Campus) or the Student Administrative Services Center (at the Westbrook College Campus) a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The office will notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the University Registrar, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If it is determined not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will accompany this notification.
- The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task; or the Veterans Administration for students registered for various GI Bill programs. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure(s) by The University of New England to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
The University may disclose "directory information" without a student's consent as permitted by FERPA. Directory information is defined as: name, address, e-mail address, telephone listing, photograph, date and place of birth, level of education, academic major, degrees, honors and awards received, and educational institution in which a student most recently was enrolled.
Active students who wish to have directory information withheld from release must do so in writing on a “per-academic-year” basis. Request forms are available in the Office of the Registrar (University Campus), Student Registration and Financial Services Center (Westbrook College Campus) or Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services. Requests must be submitted prior to September 30th (if first-time enrollment for academic year is fall semester) or January 30th (if first-time enrollment for academic year is spring semester) to affect a “withhold” status.
Please remember: active students must renew a request for non-disclosure each year to keep such requests in effect. The University may disclose directory information about former students without meeting notification requirements; however, at the last opportunity as a student (just prior to departure from the University), written requests for non-disclosure will remain in effect until a written request to change non-disclosure status is made by the student.
The following are the policies and regulations concerning transcripts:
No official transcript will be issued until all financial obligations have been met.
Transcripts are issued only at the written and signed request of the student. The purpose of this policy is to protect the privacy of the individual concerned and to minimize the possibility of the use of another's transcripts by an imposter.
Official transcripts are normally issued directly to other educational institutions or prospective employers designated by the student. Official transcripts issued to the student for purposes of transport to another party can be provided in a sealed envelope but will be considered unofficial if opened by the student. Unsealed transcripts issued directly to students are considered unofficial and are stamped “Issued to Student".
The University expects the student to attend all scheduled lectures, laboratories and clinical assignments unless appropriate permission has been secured prior to the absence. Any student missing a class is NOT exempted from completing the assignment covered during the absence. For further information, student should consult the "excused absence policy" as found in the Medical Student Handbook.
Upon completion of a unit of study, the faculty member in charge of that unit submits the number of hours taught and a grade for each student to the Academic Dean. Grades are based on a High Pass/Pass/Fail grade system.
If a student is required to repeat a unit of study, the name of the unit of study and the new grade shall be entered a second time on the transcript. The original recording of the unit of study will not be removed from the transcript. All units of study shall be listed chronologically by trimester, summer, and/or academic year during which they are completed.
The Student Affairs Committee is responsible for evaluating performance and making recommendations to the academic dean on student disciplinary and academic matters, performance, and on action(s) to be taken. Yearly, the Committee makes recommendations to the academic dean on the promotion of students to the next class. At any time the Committee deems necessary, it may inform the appropriate faculty and administrative personnel of students experiencing academic difficulties so that corrective or remedial action may be taken. Also, each year the Committee recommends to the faculty, through the academic dean, the awarding of the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine to those students who have satisfied the graduation requirements.
The status of a student may be reviewed by the Student Affairs Committee when the student's performance is found to be unsatisfactory in the accumulation of knowledge and/or personal growth. For example, the student may be reviewed for any of the following reasons:
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Unexcused absence(s) from class, laboratory, or clinical experience. |
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Failure to obtain a satisfactory grade in every unit of study such as a course, preceptorship, or clerkship. |
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Failure to abide by the Standards for Professional Behavior and Conduct or to exhibit the behavior, ethics, or professional manner deemed necessary for the continued study and later practice of osteopathic medicine in the judgment of the Student Affairs Committee. |
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Personal or medical reasons; in assessing personal growth, such factors as morals, emotional stability, integrity, general conduct, reliability, judgment, and rapport with patients is considered. |
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After discussion, the Student Affairs Committee may decide by majority vote to make one of the following recommendations to the Academic Dean: |
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No significant deficiency exists, and the student is promoted, with such oral or written caution to the student as may be recommended. |
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A significant deficiency exists and one or several of the following actions is to be taken according to the severity of the deficiency, the student's overall achievement and circumstances surrounding the deficiency (illness, family emergency, etc.): |
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Student is to take remedial examination(s) after an appropriate interval recommended by the department chairpersons or system coordinator most involved and approved by a majority vote of the Student Affairs Committee. |
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Student is to undertake special projects or studies required in the deficient area(s). |
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Student is placed on academic or disciplinary probation for a stated period of time. |
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Student is required to repeat the course(s), preceptorship(s), or clerkship(s) in which there is a deficiency. |
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Student is required to repeat the academic year. |
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Student is suspended from the College. |
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Student is dismissed from the College. |
A student who is required to repeat an academic year, suspended or dismissed from the College may appeal this decision to the academic dean within ten (10) days of the decision to repeat, suspend or dismiss. The dean will convene a five-member Appeals Committee for a review of the decision. If the Appeals Committee does not uphold the requirement to repeat the year, suspension or dismissal, it will impose such other lesser requirements as it deems appropriate.
Placement of a student on academic probation or disciplinary probation indicates the faculty's extreme dissatisfaction with the student's academic or behavioral performance. While on probation, the student will not represent the college at outside events and will be asked to curtail elected office responsibilities until their academic performance improves. In addition, a student on academic probation must pass all units of study; a student on disciplinary probation must discontinue the behavior leading to probation and maintain a record of exemplary behavior. Students who violate the conditions of probation as listed above will be reviewed again by the Student Affairs Committee, which will make such recommendations to the academic dean as it sees fit.
An application for voluntary withdrawal from the College must be submitted in writing to the academic dean. The academic dean may grant a leave of absence due to financial difficulties or for personal, medical, or family problems.
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations (COMLEX-USA) are administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and are divided into three levels. Levels 1 and 2 are given during the college years and Level 3 is given to qualified graduates during their internship year. The Level 2 examination consists of two independent components; written (level 2-CE) and clinical skills (Level 2-PE). Students are eligible for the Level 1 examination upon completion of Year 2, and become eligible for the Level 2 examinations upon completion of Year 3. Students must have received a passing score on COMLEX -USA Level 1 by January 1 of the third year in order to continue clinical rotations. Effective with the class entering in the fall of 2002, students must take and pass both components of the Level 2 examination prior to graduation.
Effective with the class entering in the fall of 2004, students are allowed a maximum of three attempts to pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 and each component of COMLEX-USA Level 2. Failure to pass any individual component of the COMLEX-USA examination series after three attempts will result in dismissal from the College.
Note: Registration and scheduling of the exams is the responsibility of the student. Students should also plan to register and take the COMLEX-USA Level 1 and 2 (PE and CE) with sufficient time allowed to receive exam results and be able to comply with any deadlines for clinical rotations or graduation.
The College has instituted a mandatory laptop computer requirement. Specifics regarding the minimum configuration will be available on a yearly basis.
The Board of Trustees of the University of New England confers the degree doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) upon those students who have satisfactorily completed the requirements for graduation and who have been recommended for graduation by the faculty of the College.
Every candidate for the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine must:
- Be of good moral character.
- Have fulfilled the requirements of study for the degree as determined by the faculty.
- Have met the academic requirements of the College for the awarding of the degree and have been in residence at this College for the last two years.
- Be free of indebtedness to this College, the University, and their affiliates.
- Have demonstrated the ethical, personal, and professional qualities deemed necessary for the successful and continuing study and practice of osteopathic medicine.
- Have been recommended by the faculty for graduation.
- Be present at the commencement ceremony of his/her class at the time the degree is conferred.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2007-2008 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2007.
The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.