I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to establish a consistent framework for addressing academic deficiencies in the New York Medical College (NYMC) School of Medicine (SOM).
II. POLICY
It is the policy of the NYMC SOM that any student with an academic deficiency is subject to discussion and action by the Student Academic Success Team (SAST) and the Student Advancement, Promotions, and Review Committee (SAPRC). Any/all academic deficiencies remain part of a student’s academic record and are included in the student promotion process regardless of whether the deficiencies are successfully remediated. A student may only remediate a certain number of academic deficiencies, subject to the judgment of the SAPRC.
III. SCOPE
This Policy applies to medical students, module directors, course/Phase 1 directors, clerkship directors, members of the SAST and members of the SAPRC.
IV. DEFINITIONS
A. Academic Deficiency: any non-passing grade (e., a CP or Fail), which requires remediation. Successful remediation is noted on the student record as an Academic Deficiency
B. CP: Conditional Pass
C. Educational Technology: the team responsible for overseeing the technology used to implement the educational program
D. Phase 1: The pre-clerkship phase of the curriculum
V. PROCEDURE
A. General Remediation Principles
1. If a student requires remediation, the relevant module/clerkship director will determine a remediation plan, which will be presented to SAST and then to SAPRC for approval or alternate recommendations. The remediation date(s) will be determined by the relevant module/clerkship director(s) (or NYMC SOM designee) in conjunction with relevant stakeholders (i.e., Educational Technology representative) and then communicated to the student.
2. Remediation plans are designed to ensure a student with an Academic Deficiency can meet the necessary level of competency for the respective module, course, or clerkship. Possible remediation plans include but are not limited to: an additional examination, additional coursework or assignments, retake of the course/clerkship, or repeat of year or phase.
3. This remediation and its successful completion, as determined by the module director/course director/clerkship director, must occur before promotion to a subsequent academic year or phase in the program. Such remediation may be required to occur during a time when the academic program is not in session, such as the summer months between the M1 and M2 academic years, school breaks, or following the end of Phase 1. In some cases, due to course sequencing, students may be placed on an administrative leave of absence.
4. If a student is determined not to have met criteria for successful completion of the remediation plan and ultimately receives a failing grade, the student may appeal the decision regarding the outcome of the remediation, but not the entire course/clerkship, in accordance with the SOM Policy on Grade and Evaluation Appeals.
5. Should a student be required to remediate more than one module/course/clerkship at a time, these remediations will be coordinated by SAST with input from the module/course/clerkship directors.
6. If a student does not pass the remediation, the student will be referred to the SAPRC for further discussion and action, up to and including dismissal. Should the student appeal the failure of the remediation as per A.4, referral to the SAPRC will only occur if the appeal is denied.
7. A pattern of academic deficiencies will be reviewed by the SAPRC with action up to and including dismissal.
B. General Reporting and Review of Academic Deficiencies
1. SAST will review all students with Academic Deficiencies (grades or professionalism concerns) and discuss remediation plans, academic support, and student wellness.
2. Each month, the Dean of Students (or designee) will present SAST’s recommendation to the SAPRC, which will consider it in the deliberation of student promotion and academic action (see SOM Policy on Student Promotions).
C. Academic Difficulty and Activities
1. Students having academic difficulty of any sort, including multiple CPs and/or any failure of a single course/clerkship, will be advised against, and may potentially be prohibited from, participation in dual-degree programs, extracurricular activities, or research.
2. Before participating in any such activity, a student with an Academic Deficiency must discuss the activity with the Dean of Students or designee and obtain documented approval.
VI. EFFECTIVE DATE
This policy is effective immediately.
VII. POLICY MANAGEMENT
Responsible Executive: Dean, School of Medicine
Responsible Office: Office of Undergraduate Medical Education, Office of Student Affairs
VIII. REFERENCES
LCME 10.3 Policies Regarding Student Selection/Progress and Their Dissemination: The faculty of a medical school establish criteria for student selection and develop and implement effective policies and procedures regarding, and make decisions about, medical student application, selection, admission, assessment, promotion, graduation, and any disciplinary action. The medical school makes available to all interested parties its criteria, standards, policies, and procedures regarding these matters.
