Office of Student Affairs

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Division of Health Sciences

 

 Student Affairs ECU Brody SOM 

 

Student Grading and Promotion

  • Student Grading & Promotion
  • Grade Appeals Process
  • Promotion and Graduation - USMLE
  • Examinations
  • Attendance/Excused Absences
  • ADA Accommodations
Educational Policies of BSOM and Code of Student Conduct
  • Code of Student Conduct
  • Code of Professional Conduct

Student Health and Effectiveness Committee Policy and Procedures

Parking Policies

Occupational Safety and Infectious Control

Substance Abuse Policy

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy

Academic Integrity

Dress Code Policy

Writing Orders

BSOM Policy for Medical Student on Call (M3 & M4)

Clerkship Grading: Shelf Examinations (M3)

Student Promotion Committee

Student Advancement Guidelines

Due Notice of Policy Change

Appropriate Treatment of Medical Student in the Educational System

Weather Policy and Procedures
Health Insurance and Disability Policy

 

Policies and Procedures

Formally Chapter 10

 

Note: The symbol indicates a link that required the free Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin to view them.  Download Acrobat Reader

 

 

 

 

Student Grading and Promotion

 

Section 1: Student Grading and Promotion

  1. The Grading System

  2. Student Advancement

  3. Academic Dismissal Process

  4. Academic Appeals Process

  5. Requirements for Graduation

  6. Transcript and Academic File

Section 2: Grade Appeals Process

Section 3: Promotion and Graduation

USMLE Step 1

  1. Requirements.  Medical students are required to pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam prior to their promotion to the third year of medical school.  Students are required to take Step 1 prior to beginning their third year curriculum.  Students will be permitted a maximum of three attempts to pass Step 1.  Students must be enrolled in the School of Medicine in order to register for and take Step 1.

  2. Registration Deadlines and Testing Dates (see Figure 1)

    1. Second year students are required to complete applications for Step 1 during the second year in sufficient time to request test dates on or before June 14 in order to ensure a test date by the end of June and before the beginning of third year clinical clerkships (Request June 1 to August 31 testing block:  exceptions may be granted upon written petition to the Dean for Student Affairs).

    2. Students unsuccessful in their first attempt at Step 1 will complete the first M3 clerkship block.  Students are expected to complete a Step 1 application in sufficient time to request a second test date on or before October 15 in order to ensure a test date by the conclusion of the second M3 clerkship block.  Students will be required to enroll in Clinical Correlations Seminar* during the second M3 course block.  Students receiving a passing score on Step 1 will receive the earned letter grade from the first clerkship, a passing grade for Clinical Correlations Seminar, and continue in their medical education.  Students failing to achieve a passing score on the second attempt of Step 1 will receive a “W” for the first clerkship, an “F” grade for the Clinical Correlations Seminar, and will be withdrawn from the third M3 course block.

    3.  Academic performance of the students unsuccessful in their second attempt at Step 1 will be reviewed by the M3 Student Review and Promotions Committee who may recommend that a student be allowed to remediate Clinical Correlations Seminar** during the subsequent spring semester.  Students are expected to complete a Step 1 application in sufficient time to request a Step 1 test date on or before April 15 in order to ensure a test date and score reporting prior to the first M3 clerkship block of the next academic year.  Students successfully remediating Clinical Correlations Seminar by passing Step 1 on their third attempt will begin their third year course work with first M3 course block.  Failure to successfully remediate Clinical Correlations Seminar (failure of Step 1) will result in a recommendation for dismissal from the M3 Student Review and Promotions Committee in accordance with the Student Grading and Promotions Policy.

            (*)  This course comprises 6-7 weeks of individually designed M1 and M2 curriculum review, with interval assessments of content concluding with USMLE Step 1 as the course exam.

            (**)  This course comprises approximately 4 months of individually designed review of the M1 and M2 curriculum, interval assessments of content, and academic skills testing concluding with USMLE Step 1 as the course exam.

 

  1. Registration Deadlines and Testing Dates for Students in Academic Difficulty (see Figure 2)

    1. Students remediating M2 course work during the summer following their M2 curriculum year will take Step 1 prior to the start of their first clinical clerkship (Usually by the end of August).  Students will begin clerkships in the second M3 clerkship block.

    2. Students unsuccessful in their first attempt at Step 1 are expected to complete an application in sufficient time to request a second test date on or before December 15 in order to ensure a test date by the conclusion of the third M3 clerkship block.  Students will be required to enroll in Clinical Correlations Seminar* during the third M3 clerkship block.  Students receiving a passing score on their second attempt of Step 1 will receive the earned letter grade from their first clerkship, a passing grade for Clinical Correlations Seminar, and continue in their medical education, however, these students will be required to complete an M4 selective during May of their M4 year.  The diploma date will be consistent with a summer school graduation.  Students failing to achieve a passing grade score on Step 1 will receive a “W” grade for the first clerkship, a an ”F” grade for the Clinical Correlations Seminar, and will be withdrawn from the fourth M3 course block.

    3. The academic performance of students unsuccessful in their second attempt at Step 1 will be reviewed by the M3 Student Review and Promotions Committee who may recommend that a student be allowed to remediate Clinical Correlations Seminar** during the spring semester.  This course comprises approximately 4 months of individually designed review of the M1 and M2 curriculum concluding with USMLE Step 1 as the course exam.  Students are expected to complete a Step 1 application in sufficient time to request a Step 1 test date on or before April/May 15 in order to ensure a test date and score reporting prior to the first M3 clerkship block of the next academic year.  Students successfully remediating Clinical Correlations Seminar by passing Step 1 will begin their third year course work with the first M3 clerkship block.  Failure to successfully remediate Clinical Correlations Seminar (failure of Step 1) will result in a recommendation for the dismissal from the M3 Student Review and Promotions Committee in accordance with the Student Grading and Promotions Policy.

Exceptions to this implementation timeline must be addressed to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

USMLE Step 2

 

  1. Requirements.  Effective beginning with the 2000-2001 academic year, all medical students are required to pass Step 2CK of the United States Medical Licensing Exam to be approved for graduation. All medical students must take USMLE Step 2CK for the first time by September 30th of the academic year in which they begin their fourth year of the medical curriculum (enrollment in M-4 Selectives).  Students will be permitted a maximum of three attempts to pass Step 2CK. BEGINNING WITH THE 2004-2005 ACADEMIC YEAR, ALL MEDICAL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PASS STEP 2CS AS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION. Students will be permitted a maximum of three attempts to pass Step 2CS. Students must be enrolled in the Brody School of Medicine in order to register for and take Step 2CK AND STEP 2CS.

  2. Registration Deadlines and Testing Dates FOR USMLE STEP2CK

  1. Medical students are required to complete applications for Step 2CK during the third year in sufficient time to request test dates on or before September 30th.

  2. Students who do not achieve a passing score on their first attempt at USMLE Step 2 CK will be required to enroll in a Clinical Correlations individually designed selective (IDS) for 4 weeks and are expected to complete a Step 2CK application in time to request a second test date on or before January 30th of the academic year.  The Clinical Correlations IDS can be enrolled in as an independent selective or concurrently with another selective during the same 4-week period.  To pass this selective, students must achieve a passing score on the second take of USMLE Step 2CK.

  3. Students failing to achieve a passing score in their second attempt at Step 2CK will receive a grade of “F” in the Clinical Correlations IDS.  The remediation for this “F” grade will be re-enrollment in the Clinical Correlations IDS and retake of USMLE Step 2CK.  Medical students who did not achieve a passing score on the 1st and 2nd take of the USMLE Step 2CK are required to complete applications for Step 2CK in time to have a passing score by April 30th of the academic year.

  4. Students who successfully remediate the “F” in the Clinical Correlations IDS (pass USMLE Step 2CK) will be considered for graduation in May provided that their USMLE Step 2CK scores are received prior to graduation.  Students receiving a passing score after the May graduation will be considered for a second semester summer school diploma date.

  5. Medical students who do not achieve a passing score on the third take of USMLE Step 2CK , will receive an “F” for the Clinical Correlations IDS remediation.  The M4 Student Review and Promotions Committee will recommend dismissal in accordance with the Student Grading and Promotions Policy that a second “F” in a course, for which a student already received a grade of “F” will be grounds for automatic dismissal.

  1. REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND TESTING DATES – USMLE STEP 2CS

  1. MEDICAL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR STEP 2CS DURING THE THIRD YEAR IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO HAVE A PASSING SCORE BY APRIL 30th  OF THEIR GRADUATION YEAR.

  2. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS COMPLETE THE ENTIRE 3RD YEAR CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO SITTING FOR USMLE STEP 2CS.

  3. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE ON THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT OF STEP 2CS WILL BE ALLOWED TWO SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS. Medical students who do not achieve a passing score on the 3rd take of USMLE Step 2CS may be recommended for dismissal.

  4. STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE USMLE STEP 2CS PRIOR TO THE APRIL 30th  DEADLINE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR GRADUATION IN MAY.  STUDENTS RECEIVING A PASSING SCORE AFTER THE MAY GRADUATION DATE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR A SECOND SEMESTER SUMMER SCHOOL DIPLOMA DATE.

(Exceptions may be granted upon written petition to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs).

 

 

Section 4: Examinations

Examinations

TEST SCHEDULE

Testing periods fall cyclically within the academic year schedule.  For each semester, there are usually two Exam Weeks, where Study or Reading days alternate with Exam days.  In addition, there are usually two other testing segments where one or two exams are given on one to two days of a designated week.  The exams are scheduled in specific time slots based on a preplanned rotational schedule according to subjects and determined by the course directors.

 The policy related to Test/Exam schedules is that no changes can be made in the exam schedules as officially listed in the schedule.  This means that there is no rearranging of exams from the time slot in which they are scheduled.

TESTING POLICY

In order to provide more consistency during examinations for all courses, the following process is observed prior to any examinations given in all courses in the School of Medicine:

  1.  All M-1 and M-2 written examinations will be taken in the Brody Auditorium.

  2. Students may have in their possession only those items necessary for taking the exam.  All books, papers, bookbags and other materials must be left outside the classroom where testing will take place.  It is recommended that items be placed in lockers or other safe settings.

  3. In the classrooms and auditoriums, a minimum of two (2) seats should be between students, and in the larger auditoriums, students should be seated in alternate rows so that there is an empty row between each row of students.

  4. Faculty proctors should be present during the entire examination period.

  5. During any exam administered, the Code of Student Conduct of the School of Medicine is in effect and anyone giving or receiving any unauthorized aid or assistance is in violation of the Code.  Students are to report any observed infractions of the Code to the Dean for Student Affairs.

RESCHEDULING OF EXAMS DUE TO ILLNESS OR OTHER REASONS

If prior to an exam you have extenuating circumstances, such as personal illness, family illness, death in the family, etc., which have the potential to interfere with your preparation for an exam, schedule an appointment with a Dean for Student Affairs to discuss the possibility of rescheduling an exam.  Permission to reschedule an exam is based on individual circumstances.  It is not acceptable to reschedule an exam by only contacting the course director; prior permission must be obtained from Office of Student Affairs.

If you become ill and are not physically able to take the exam:

  1. notify the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible of your illness and

  2. bring a written note from the ECU Student Health Service, Family Practice Center, ECU Outpatient Clinics or private health care provider, verifying that you were seen, and were too ill on the day of the exam to attend.  The doctor’s note must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs prior to returning to classes.  Once the note is received, a time to retake the missed exam will be scheduled following discussions with a Dean for Student Affairs and the Course Director.

If a student does not follow the above process for rescheduling an exam, an unexcused absence will be issued and a zero (0) will be awarded for that exam.

 

Section 5: Attendance/Excused Absences

 

Student must complete an excused absences form in the office of Student Affairs.

ABSENCES

Information and materials presented in lecture, laboratory, clinical settings, and related conferences during the medical program are important aspects of the total knowledge and experience required of the student-physician.  Students should make every effort, consistent with the ideal of continued self-education, to be in attendance at regularly scheduled activities.  In the event of illness, unexpected personal need, or professional obligations which require absence from a course or clerkship with an attendance requirement, the student must fill out an Excused Absence Request Form (in the Office of Student Affairs).  The information provided will be reviewed, on an individual student basis, and an excused absence may be issued.  Students are responsible for notifying the appropriate persons (faculty, attendings, residents) of an impending absence.

The following guidelines should be considered when requesting an excused absence:

  1. Illness: Illness of short duration (1-3 days) requires only that a Request for Excused Absence Form be completed upon return to classes.  Long-term illness may require evidence that medical care was required in addition to completion the Request for Excused Absence Form.  (Examination rescheduling as the result or personal need is covered in the preceding section).

  2. Personal Need: A Request for Excused Absence Form should be completed prior to attending to unexpected personal issues (death of family member, illness of immediate family member, required surgery, etc.) whenever possible.  Please note that an excused absence will not be approved for non-emergency situations (e.g. regular medical appointments, weddings, vacations, etc.).

  3. Professional Meetings:  Students requesting an excused absence from required course experiences in order to attend local, regional or national professional conferences must be in satisfactory academic status (i.e. passing average in all course work) at the time of the request.  A Request for Excused Absence Form for each student attendee must accompany all organizational travel requests (30 days prior to travel).  Excused absence requests must be approved prior to processing of travel forms.  Please note that examinations will not be rescheduled to accommodate attendance at an organizational event.

  4. Other Considerations:  Students should familiarize themselves with attendance requirements of each course.  Some courses require remediation if an excessive number of scheduled experiences are missed whether excused or unexcused noted, third year clerkship allow a maximum of 7 days of absences.

Section 6: ADA Accommodations

It is the policy of Brody School of Medicine to work with students to assist them in achieving their educational goals, including successful academic achievement leading to the completion of the medical curriculum and graduation.  The SOM provides accommodations, support services and skill development interventions through the Office of Student Affairs and the Academic Support and Enrichment Center.  Students requesting disability accommodations must first self identify to the Office of Disability Support Services on the East Carolina University main campus:

East Carolina University
Department of Disability Support Services
A-117 Brewster Building
Greenville, NC 27858
252-328-6799

http://www.ecu.edu/studentlife/dss/qfs.htm

 The Department of Disability Support Services will advise the Office of Student Affairs at Brody School of Medicine concerning recommended accommodations.  Please access the web-site above for additional information.

 If you have not been diagnosed with a learning disability but have had difficulties in learning, language, mathematics or reading or are aware of a physical, psychological, social or environmental impairment that might negatively affect your academic progress, you should make an appointment with the Academic Support and Enrichment Center.  That office will assist you in obtaining appropriate documentation if indicated.

 The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) determines the documentation and defines the criteria to be met in determining whether a disability warrants accommodation on the USMLE examinations.  Accommodation on the USMLE exams is not guaranteed because a student has received accommodation at Brody School of Medicine.  Students with questions about accommodations on the USMLE examinations must contact the national board of medical examiners (NBME) directly for information about the review process, criteria and documentation required.  A student qualifying for an accommodation at the Brody SOM may not qualify for an accommodation from another entity or organization.  Even though a student is required to pass USMLE Step 1 (the first part of a three part national medical licensure process) prior to completing the third year of the medical school curriculum and has received an accommodation from the BrodySOM, another organization is not bound to provide the identical type of accommodation or any accommodation.

 

 

 

Educational Policies of the School of Medicine

 

  • Code of Student Conduct

    • Article 1: Definitions

    • Article 2: Authority for "Code of Student Conduct"

    • Article 3: Proscribed Conduct

    • Article 4: Code of Student Conduct Policies

    • Article 5: Interpretation and Revisions

  • Code of Professional Conduct

    • Trustworthiness

    • Professional Demeanor

    • Responsibility and Sense of Duty

    • Concern for the welfare of Patients

    • Respect for the Rights of Others

    • Conduct toward Students

 

 

 

 

Student Health and Effectives Committee

Policy and Procedures

 

Policy (.pdf)

  • Article 1: Name

  • Article 2: Definitions

  • Article 3: Goals

  • Article 4: Structure

  • Article 5: Implementation of Goals

  • Article 6: Status of the Medical Student

 

 

 

 

 

Parking Policies

 

This will take you to the ECU Parking and Transportation Home Page

Office Hours
Customer Service Window:
305 E. Tenth Street

Fall and Spring Semesters:
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The cashier's window closes at 4:30 p.m.
General Information is available
until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Main Office Location:
305 E. Tenth Street
beside the McCafe

PHONE: (252) 328-6294

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupational Safety and Infection Control Policies

 

this will take you to the Office of Prospective Health home page

 

Office of Prospective Health
Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
600 Moye Blvd, Brody Bldg
Life Sciences Building, Room 188
Greenville, NC
252-744-2070
 

 

 

 

Substance Abuse Policy

 

http://www.ecu.edu/studenthandbook/VI.htm

Policy On Drug Abuse

East Carolina University is dedicated to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and as such, expects members of the academic community to behave in a manner conducive to that end. The highest standards of personal and professional conduct must be maintained by faculty, staff, and students. Illegal or abusive use of drugs by members of the university community adversely affects the mission of the university and is prohibited.

Accordingly, the East Carolina University Board of Trustees adopts the following policy consistent with the UNC Board of Governors’ Policy on Illegal Drugs. The policy is intended to accomplish the following:

1.            Prevent drug abuse through a strong educational effort

2.            Encourage and facilitate the use of counseling services and rehabilitation programs by those members of the academic community who require their assistance in stopping drug abuse

3.            Discipline appropriately those members of the academic community who engage in illegal drug-related activities

Education Efforts to Prevent Drug Abuse. In keeping with its primary mission of education, East Carolina University will conduct a strong educational program aimed at preventing drug abuse and illegal drug use. Educational efforts shall be directed toward all members of the academic community and will include information about the incompatibility of the use or sale of illegal drugs with the goals of East Carolina University; the health hazards associated with illegal drug use; the incompatibility of drug abuse with the maximum achievement of educational, career, and other personal goals; and the potential legal consequences of involvement with drugs. For students who may experience an alcohol or drug problem while at the university, a substance abuse counseling program is available. You may call the Center for Counseling and Student Development at 328-6661.

Counseling and Rehabilitation Services to Prevent Drug Abuse. Those faculty, staff, or students who seek assistance with a drug-related problem shall be provided with information about drug counseling and rehabilitation services available through East Carolina University and also through community organizations. Those who voluntarily avail themselves of university services shall be assured that applicable standards of confidentiality will be observed.

Disciplinary Actions to Prevent Drug Abuse. Students, faculty members, administrators, and other employees are responsible, as citizens, for knowing about and complying with the provisions of North Carolina law that make it a crime to possess, sell, deliver, or manufacture those drugs designated collectively as “controlled substances” in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Any member of the university community who violates that law is subject both to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities and to disciplinary proceedings by the university.

It is not “double jeopardy” for both the civil authorities and the university to proceed against and punish a person for the same specified conduct. The university will initiate its own disciplinary proceedings against a student, faculty member, administrator, or other employee when the alleged conduct is deemed to affect the interests of the university.

Penalties will be imposed by the university in accordance with procedural safeguards applicable to disciplinary actions against students, faculty members, administrators, and other employees, as required by Sections V and VI of Appendix D of the East Carolina University Faculty Manual and by the UNC Board of Governors’ policies applicable to other employees exempt from the State Personnel Act. The penalties to be imposed by the university may range from written warnings with probationary status to expulsions from enrollment and discharges from employment. However, the following minimum penalties shall be imposed for the particular offenses described.

            1.            Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

a.            For the illegal manufacture, sale, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, of any controlled substance identified in Schedule I, N.C. General Statutes 90-89, or Schedule II, N.C. General Statutes 90-90 (including, but not limited to, heroin, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide, opium, cocaine, amphetamine, methaqualone), any student shall be expelled, and any faculty member, administrator, or other employee shall be discharged.

b.            For a first offense involving the illegal manufacture, sale, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, of any controlled substance identified in Schedules III through VI, N.C. General Statutes 90-91 through 90-94 (including, but not limited to, marijuana, phenobarbital, codeine), the minimum penalty shall be suspension from enrollment or from employment for a period of at least one semester or its equivalent. For a second offense, any student shall be expelled, and any faculty member, administrator, or other employee shall be discharged.

            2.            Illegal Possession of Drugs

a.            For a first offense involving the illegal possession of any controlled substance identified in Schedule I, N.C. General Statutes 90-89, or Schedule II, N.C. General Statutes 90-90, the minimum penalty shall be suspension from enrollment or from employment for a period of at least one semester or its equivalent. Note: State personnel policy provides that employees subject to the State Personnel Act may not be suspended from employment for punitive reasons for more than three days. Whenever this policy mandates “suspension” of an employee subject to the State Personnel Act as a minimum penalty, that employee must instead be terminated in accordance with the state personnel policy.

b.            For a first offense involving the illegal possession of any controlled substance identified in Schedules III through VI, N.C. General Statutes 90-91 through 90-94, the minimum penalty shall be probation for a period to be determined on a case-by-case basis. A person on probation must agree to participate in a drug education and counseling program, consent to regular drug testing, and accept such other conditions and restrictions, including a program of community service, as the chancellor or the chancellor’s designee deems appropriate. Refusal or failure to abide by the terms of probation shall result in suspension from enrollment or from employment for any unexpired balance of the prescribed period of probation.

c.            For second or other subsequent offenses involving the illegal possession of controlled substances, progressively more severe penalties shall be imposed, including expulsion of student and discharge of faculty members, administrators, or other employees.

When a student, faculty member, administrator, or other employee has been charged by the university with a violation of policies concerning illegal drugs, he or she may be suspended from enrollment or employment before initiation or completion of regular disciplinary proceedings if, assuming the truth of the charges, the chancellor or, in the chancellor’s absence, the chancellor’s designee concludes that the person’s continued presence within the university community would constitute a clear and immediate danger to the health or welfare of other members of the university community; provided that if such a suspension is imposed, an appropriate hearing of the charges against the suspended person shall be held as promptly as possible thereafter.

In the case of employees, anyone convicted of a criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace shall notify the university no later than five days after such conviction. The university will commence disciplinary action against such an individual within thirty days of notice of conviction.

Responsibilities Under This Policy

Authority to implement the policy shall reside in the chancellor. The chancellor shall designate a coordinator of drug education who shall, acting under the authority of the chancellor, be responsible for overseeing all actions and programs relating to this policy. All employees and students shall be responsible for abiding by the provisions of this policy. In the case of employees, adherence with the provisions of the policy shall be a condition of employment. The chancellor will render an annual report to the board of trustees on the effectiveness of this policy.

Dissemination of This Policy

A copy of this policy shall be given annually to each employee and to all new employees at the beginning of their employment.

Each student residing in university housing shall receive a copy of this policy. The vice chancellor for student life shall designate several locations on campus where students can obtain copies of this policy.

The policy shall be printed in appropriate student documents and posted on official bulletin boards of the university.

 

Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Risks (PDF)
 Substance Penalty (PDF)
Prevention and Treatment Resources (PDF)

 

 

 

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy

 

Office of Equal Opportunity and Equity

 

East Carolina University
East Fifth Street

Greenville, NC 27858-4353
252.328.6131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Office of Student Affairs, Brody 2S-20
Greenville, North Carolina 27834

Telephone: (252) 744-2278 

Fax: (252) 744-3250
Hours of Operation: 8:00am to 5:00pm

 

Last Updated 01/18/2008 04:24:02 PM