Code of Ethics

Society grants to academic communities the freedom of expression and inquiry that are important in education and research. In accepting these freedoms, our students, teachers and physicians must accept responsibility for upholding standards of academic honesty, professional integrity and inter-professional courtesy. These standards provide for an environment of trust and honor. A Code of Ethics has been implemented to maintain these standards and to provide a foundation on which such a community can thrive.

 

There are two basic tenets to the Code of Ethics. First, it is assumed that the student has such personal integrity as to be honest and to encourage others to be so. Second, it is assumed that a student has a professional and academic responsibility to discuss any violations of the Code of Ethics with the Honor Court. These two assumptions of the Honor System (the Code of Ethics and the Honor Court) insure the success of the Honor System. The following Standards of Conduct are guidelines for behavior within this Honor System.

 

Standards Of Conduct

Standards of Academic Honesty

An atmosphere of trust and honesty is integral to an academic community. To that end, it is expected that students and other members of the academic community are honest in presenting their work and knowledge. This includes written and oral examinations, medical record documents, research projects and all other areas of endeavor.

 

Standards of Interprofessional Conduct

Members of the academic community should act in a courteous manner towards other members of the health care team. Professionals should avoid public comment on the abilities of other professionals. In addition, an exemplary level of behavior in ourselves and our colleagues should be encouraged commensurate with societal expectations for members of the medical community.

 

Standards of Professional Conduct

Physicians and student physicians have an obligation to interact with their patients and with each other in a professional manner, with integrity, honesty and respect in all communications, verbal or written. It is an obligation to respect the privilege of confidential information, and to use honesty and care in maintaining medical records. Also, it is the obligation of the physician or student-physician to assure that patient care is continuous when he/she is unable or unavailable to provide such care. In providing medical care to others, it is the obligation of physicians and student-physicians to know when and how to seek appropriate help, supervision, or consultation.

 

THE HONOR COURT

Members of the Honor Court are elected by the student body. As representatives, they are expected to act both in a manner befitting the trust accorded to them by their peers and in conformity with the provisions and spirit of the Code of Ethics. Honor Court members have a duty to act fairly, impartially, with strict confidentiality, and only upon evidence formally presented during the course of appropriate correspondence or meetings.

 

Duties of the Honor Court include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.       1.Communicate and foster compliance with the Code of Ethics. This includes informing present and prospective students, faculty, and administration of the philosophy and mechanics of the Code.

2.       Provide guidance to members of the student body on issues of professional conduct and ethics as they learn to monitor the professional conduct of themselves and their peers.

3.       Secure appropriately the confidentiality of Honor Court communications and proceedings.

4.       Enforce the spirit and procedures of the Code of Ethics; in this respect it shall act as the body which protects the rights of the students at Drexel University College of Medicine to an educational environment guided by the principles in the Code of Ethics and is available to counsel students individually and collectively.

5.       Serve as the peer review body to hear and evaluate claims of student violations of the Code of Ethics. (See Appendix A.)

a.       Receive complaints from students regarding alleged student violations of the Code of Ethics.

b.       Provide notice, conduct proceedings and maintain records of all action taken by the Honor Court in response to complaints to assure that students accused of Code violations receive due process in accordance with Honor Court Procedures.

c.       Conduct fact-finding investigations, as necessary and appropriate, to determine whether a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred for which some sanction would be appropriate.

d.       Make a final determination on each complaint within the period of time defined in the Honor Court procedures that:

                                                              I.      No violation of the Code of Ethics had occurred, in which case all records of the complaint and proceedings will be destroyed.

                                                           II.      A student has acted in violation of the Code of Ethics, demonstrating disregard for the Drexel University College of Medicine community, in which case the Court will preserve all records of the complaint and proceedings for communication to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty. (College of Medicine)

e.       Report to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty the proceedings of the Honor Court that results in a finding that a student has acted in violation of the Code of Ethics. The Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty will review the findings and recommendations of the Honor Court. The Chair of the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty will communicate the results of this review to the Honor Court including, at a minimum, that specific disciplinary action was or was not taken.

 

Composition of the Honor Court

The Honor Court shall consist of the Honor Court President and the following representation from each class:

1. Two (2) representatives from each of the first- and second-year classes.

2. Three (3) representatives from the third-year class.

3. Three (3) representatives from the fourth-year class.

 

Functions of the President of the Honor Court

The duties of the President of the Honor Court include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.       Meet with the newly elected Court and faculty advisor following elections to discuss in detail the function of the Court and the duties of its members.

2.       Discuss the Code of Ethics - its meaning, enforcement, and consequences - with incoming medical students during Orientation.

3.       Arrange, in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs, training for the members of the Honor Court to insure their understanding of the procedures of the Court. A member of the University Legal Services team and an Associate Dean for Student Affairs should participate in the training.

4.       Arrange and conduct meetings including giving notice of the time and place of meetings to other members of the Court, the faculty advisor, and any other people whose attendance is requested. The President will:

a.       Preside over all meetings of the Honor Court, including those concerning possible Code of Ethics Violations by a student of Drexel University College of Medicine. The President will maintain an impartial voice in proceedings, not rendering a vote in the final determination except in the case of a split decision. If unable to remain impartial, the President shall remove him/herself from the case and an Acting President shall be selected. (See Voting, 3.c.)

b.       Request the presence of the student who has filed a complaint, the student against whom the complaint was filed, and any witnesses at appropriate meetings.

5.       Provide written notices of complaints, proceedings, and recommendations as required by the Honor Court procedures.

 

The President will:

1.       Inform any student against whom a complaint has been filed of the specific allegations, the Honor Court role and responsibilities, the specific Honor Court process that will be followed, and the student's rights.

2.       Inform the College of Medicine's Student Promotions Committee of the complaint, review process, hearing dates, results of investigation, findings, and recommendations of the Court for each case in which the Court determines that a student has acted in violation of the Code of Ethics. (See Appendix B)

3.       Prepare or direct members of the Court to prepare documentation of complaints and proceedings.

4.       Oversee the maintenance and destruction of Honor Court records as appropriate.

5.       Compile at the end of the year a summary of activities and actions to be used for information purposes at Orientation and kept on confidential and closed file in the Office of Student Affairs.

 

Functions of the Class Representatives

Duties of each of the representatives on the Honor Court include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.       Attend all meetings of the Honor Court.

2.       Participate in the review and resolution of all matters that come before the Court except those with which the representative has a conflict of interest.

3.       Abstain from participating in Court deliberations or investigations related to any matter with which the representative has a conflict of interest.

 

Functions of the Faculty Advisor

Duties of the faculty advisor include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.       Act in an advisory capacity to the Honor Court with respect to due process and impartiality.

2.       Participate in investigations and hearings. (The advisor will not be involved with weighing the evidence of a case or in voting.)

3.       Assist with the year-to-year transition of the Court.

 

Elections

Candidate Eligibility

1.       No student who has been found by the Honor Court to have committed a Code of Ethics violation may serve on the Honor Court.

2.       Only currently enrolled medical students are eligible to serve on the Honor Court and to vote in Honor Court elections.

3.       All members elected to the Honor Court will be elected to serve one-year terms.

 

Nominations

The process for nominating students to serve on the Honor Court is as follows:

1.       Any student may place the name of a student on the ballot through usual nominating channels according to SGA Bylaws.

2.       Any student may vote for a student whose name does not appear on the ballot by writing in the name of the student on the ballot.

3.       The process for nominating individuals to serve as Faculty Advisor is as follows;

a.       The Honor Court members will select five (5) eligible faculty members. Eligibility will be determined by the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, since no member of a Student Promotions Committee or the Student Appeals Committee may serve as Faculty Advisor to the Honor Court.

b.       After obtaining permission of the eligible candidates, the Honor Court will submit the list of up to five (5) candidates to the student body for election.

 

Voting

1.       For all positions, the candidate(s) who meet(s) eligibility criteria receiving the highest number of votes will be declared the winner.

a.       For all Honor Court Class Representative positions, the two candidates of each class receiving the highest numbers of votes will be declared the Honor Court Class Representatives.

b.       For classes with three representatives (third and fourth years), the three individuals receiving the highest numbers of votes will be the class representatives.

c.       The candidate for Honor Court President who receives the highest number of votes will serve as President. In the event an alternate Honor Court President is needed, the Honor Court will convene and will elect, by majority vote, one of the class representatives to serve as acting Honor Court President.

2.       Faculty Advisor

a.       The faculty advisor will be selected by the newly elected Honor Court from the list of eligible nominees (See Nominations 2.a.). The faculty advisor will serve for a term of three years.

 

Timing of elections

Election of the Honor Court President will take place concurrently with the SGA elections.

1.       Elections for all Honor Court Representatives (except those for the new incoming class) will take place concurrently with class elections in the Spring of each year.

2.       If at any time a vacancy in one of the positions arises, there will be an election as soon as possible to fill the position. Until such an election occurs, one of the class presidents will temporarily fill the vacancy.

 

Summary of Honor Court Procedure

The procedures for reporting an incident to the Honor Court have been established to insure confidentiality and due process to all persons involved. As outlined in the Honor Court process, when an infraction of the Code of Ethics is perceived, the observer(s) will contact a member of the student Honor Court as soon as possible. The Honor Court representative, together with the President of the Honor Court, will arrange a joint meeting of the observer(s) and other members of the Honor Court. The observer(s) will be prepared to describe, in detail, the events witnessed. After the full review process, the Honor Court will make a formal recommendation to the Student Promotions Committee (a standing committee of the medical school faculty). Final decision regarding an appropriate course of action will be rendered by the Student Promotions Committee. All Honor Court proceedings are held in absolute confidentiality. Involved individuals must not discuss these proceedings outside of official committee meetings. If no action is taken against an accused student, all records and information brought forth during the proceedings will be destroyed. The final decision rendered by the Student Promotions Committee may differ from that of the Honor Court. It is subject to appeal (See Appendix B).

 

Reporting of a Suspected Violation of the Code of Ethics

Any person ("Complainant") believing that a violation of the Code of Ethics has been committed by a Drexel University College of Medicine student has a responsibility to discuss the suspected infraction with an Honor Court Representative or with the President of the Honor Court. The Complainant may seek clarification of the acts or behavior from the individual suspected of committing a violation of the Code.

1.       If, after seeking clarification from the Student, the Complainant believes that there has been no violation of the Code, the Complainant will inform the Honor Court member initially contacted, and the matter will be forgotten.

2.       If the Complainant still believes that there has been a violation of the Code, a formal written complaint marked "Personal and Confidential" which describes the alleged violation, and includes the name and mail box number of the Complainant, must be delivered to the mailbox of the Honor Court President.

 

It is the duty of each member of the Drexel University College of Medicine community to report suspected violations promptly. Therefore, any Code of Ethics violation alleged to have been committed more than 90 days before the Honor Court is informed will be dismissed unless at least two-thirds of the members of the Court…

1.       believe that good cause for delay has been shown; and…

2.       it is still feasible to hold a fair, impartial investigation.

 

Investigation

Upon receiving a formal complaint, the Honor Court President will call a meeting of the Honor Court Representatives. The Honor Court will promptly review the complaint, interview the Complainant, and, if members deem necessary, further investigate the alleged violation. Such investigation will include review of any written or oral investigative evidence, which will be documented to be used for review by the Court before rendering any decisions. At this meeting the Complainant has the right to petition that a member of the Honor Court attending this meeting be removed.

 

Preliminary Meeting

1.       After interviewing the Complainant, the Honor Court will invite the Student to a meeting of the Honor Court to be held within a reasonable time following the receipt of the invitation by the Student. The invitation must be written, marked "Personal and Confidential" and be delivered by an Honor Court-appointed messenger or by registered return-receipt US mail. The Student will meet with the Honor Court alone and without counsel present. At this meeting the Student has the right to petition that a member of the Honor Court presently attending be removed.

2.       If the student fails to be present at the first scheduled meeting, the Honor Court President will contact the student to schedule another meeting. This meeting will be set for within one week after the time of the original meeting. If the Student fails to respond and/or be present at the second scheduled meeting, the Honor Court will proceed with further investigation and other necessary actions, as appropriate.

3.       During the preliminary meeting, the Honor Court will inform the Student of the accusations and allow him/her the opportunity to make an admission, to deny that his/her actions were a violation of the Code, to explain his/her actions, to refute the evidence supporting the complaint, and to offer any testimony or evidence he or she wishes to have the Court consider.

a.       The identity of the Complainant will not be revealed to the Student at this time.

b.       Statements and refutations will be documented in writing and by audiotape for further use.

c.       If the refutations satisfy the majority of the attending Honor Court members, proceedings will be terminated and the Complainant and Student will be informed that the proceedings have concluded. If the proceedings are not so concluded, further investigation will be undertaken, and both Complainant and Student will be so advised.

 

Formal Charges

If the Honor Court decides further investigation is warranted, the President of the Honor Court will call a meeting of the Honor Court and deliver, by Honor Court-appointed messenger or by registered return receipt U.S. mail, a notice of alleged violations to the Student. Notice will include:

1.       The name of the Student.

2.       The name of the Complainant.

3.       A copy of the Code of Ethics and the procedures of the Honor Court.

4.       A narrative of the alleged violation.

5.       The date of the alleged violation.

6.       The time, date and location of the meeting of the Honor Court at which the complaint/response will be heard.

7.       The name and phone number of the Honor Court President.

8.       A statement that the Student may request a later hearing date which must be within ten days of the originally scheduled hearing date excluding semester breaks and holidays.

9.       A list of Student Rights (See Appendix B).

 

The Honor Court Hearing

The Hearing Panel

A hearing panel will consist of no fewer than five (5) members in addition to the President. The maximum number will be all of the elected members, not to include any member removed from the preliminary hearing following the Student's petition.

 

Scheduling

The Honor Court will convene at the mutually agreed upon time. The Student and Honor Court President must contact one another within this time frame. The Student may request an extension of time. (See Formal Charges #8 above.) The President will consider such a request and may reschedule the meeting if deemed appropriate. If the Student has been contacted and has not responded, if the President has made several attempts to contact the Student and has received no response, or if the student fails to attend, the meeting will be held as scheduled. If, in the latter case, the Honor Court finds that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred, a notation of the Student's failure to appear will accompany the findings and recommendations forwarded to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty.

 

Confidentiality

All members of the Honor Court and all persons involved as witnesses or in any other capacity in connection with an alleged violation, investigation or meeting concerning the Honor Court must not discuss information learned during such service or participation. Such persons must not discuss or disclose any information concerning the merit(s) of the charge(s) either with the faculty, students, officials of Drexel University College of Medicine, or persons not associated with Drexel University College of Medicine before or after a meeting. All information must be kept confidential except as expressly required to be discussed or revealed in connection with further investigation. The Honor Court may notify a course instructor that the Court is meeting, if approached by the course instructor; however, the specifics of the meetings are not to be discussed. Any violation of the requirement for confidentiality will be deemed to be a violation of the Code of Ethics.

 

Procedure

1.       The Honor Court President will open the meeting by stating the following to each person who comes before the Honor Court: "The Code of Ethics and the Honor Court have been established by the Drexel University College of Medicine Student Body to serve the Student Body. The Honor Court will respectfully listen to all participants in its proceedings and will conduct its proceedings in accordance with standards of confidentiality required by the Honor Court. All matters concerning possible violations of the Code of Ethics are to be taken seriously by the members of the Honor Court. Each of you realizes how difficult the proceedings are for the Honor Court members, and recognizes this is true for all people who participate in the proceedings in any capacity. The members of the Honor Court have a duty to uphold the Code of Ethics and the Honor Court process, and to protect the rights of any complainants, suspected violators, witnesses, or other members of the Drexel University College of Medicine community who attend any Honor Court meetings. The Honor Court recognizes the right of students suspected of violating the Code or charged with other misconduct to know what is said about them during proceedings; however, the Honor Court also recognizes that in order to protect everyone involved, there may be times when the identity of witnesses must not be revealed. The members of the Honor Court have been counseled as to the importance of recognizing any prejudices that they might have and of preventing inappropriate biases from influencing their investigations or decisions in any matter that comes before the Court."

2.       The Honor Court President will then read the filed complaint and allow clarification by the Complainant. The Student and his/her counsel will not be present during the Complainant's clarification. At this time the Complainant may tell the Honor Court of any person who might have witnessed the alleged violation(s). No legal or other representative of a Complainant or Student may come before the Honor Court at proceedings when the represented individual is not present. Legal counsel has the right to speak only with individual(s) he/she is representing unless the Faculty Advisor or President of the Honor Court deems otherwise. This is to protect the integrity of the proceedings.

3.       The Honor Court President will then read the filed complaint to the Student, including any clarification by the Complainant. The Complainant and his/her counsel will not be present during this clarification. At this time the Student will declare that he/she did or did not perform the suspected violation.

a.       If the Student admits to performing the suspected violation, the Hearing will be concluded after the Student has completed any remarks that he/she wishes to address to the Court. The Honor Court will prepare and deliver a summary of the violation and the Honor Court's recommendations to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty.

b.       If the Student maintains innocence, s/he may clarify the complaint. At this time the Student may tell the Honor Court of any person(s) who may provide evidence that there was no violation.

4.       During the course of the hearing, Honor Court members may prepare written documentation of evidence presented at the hearing. Access to such documentation will be available only to the Honor Court Members attending the hearing. At any time, any member of the Honor Court has the right to question any person in order to clarify what has been said. All documentation will be kept in a locked file in the Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

5.       After completion of clarification by the Complainant and Student, the Honor Court members will be sequestered for private deliberation. All documentation, written and audio taped, will be available to members of the Honor Court at this time.

6.       Prior to such deliberations, the Honor Court President will read the following aloud: "Each of you has different viewpoints and different biases. Despite this, it is incumbent upon you to act objectively. The presumption of innocence applies to the Student. No student will be found to have committed a violation of the Code of Ethics unless clear and convincing evidence supports such conclusion."

7.       One of the following decisions must be reached:

a.       A violation has occurred. A written summary and Honor Court recommendation will be sent to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty.

b.       A violation has not occurred. If such a decision is reached, all documentation will be destroyed, the Complainant and Student will be notified, and no summary will be sent to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty.

c.       Further clarification is needed. If such a decision is reached, the Honor Court may hold subsequent meetings with people thought to have witnessed the suspected violation. To insure confidentiality, the Complainant, Student, or his/her respective counsel will not be present. The Honor Court has the right to ask any person to attend future meetings if clarification from them is necessary.

 

Rendering Decisions

Voting

1.       1All of the elected members of the Honor Court may sit for a hearing.

2.       A minimum of five (5) members plus the President must be present to constitute a panel.

3.       There must be no fewer than two (2) preclinical members and no fewer than two (2) clinical members present at all sessions to comprise a minimum hearing panel. If this representation is not present, the hearing will be rescheduled.

4.       All members of the Honor Court who were present at all sessions of the hearing and who heard/participated in all discussions and deliberations must vote.

5.       Members not present for all sessions may not vote.

6.       All voting will be by closed (secret) ballot.

7.       Ballots will be placed in a ballot box and will be counted by the faculty advisor.

8.       The President of the Honor Court will not vote except in the instance that there is a split decision.

 

Student Notification of the Results of the Hearing

Once a vote is complete, the Honor Court will ask the Complainant and the Student to appear individually before it. The decision of the Honor Court will be reported at this time. The court will reserve no final disciplinary power for itself. Any statements which need to be sent to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty will be written by the members of the Honor Court and may include opinions supporting and dissenting from the recommendation of the Honor Court. A copy of these statements will be given to the Student.

 

Results of Voting

1.       If less than a majority of Honor Court members votes that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred, the case will be dropped.

2.       If there is a majority of Honor Court members who vote that a violation has occurred, a report describing the case will be forwarded to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty along with the actual results of the vote. Documentation of the case will be made available upon request by the Student Promotions Committee.

3.       If there is a unanimous vote that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred, then all documentation regarding the case will be forwarded to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty, along with a recommendation for any disciplinary sanctions. It will be noted that the vote supporting the fact that there was a violation of the Code was unanimous.

 

The Honor Court and the Student Promotions Committee

If the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty requires clarification from the Honor Court, such a request will be made in writing. Communications between the Student Promotions Committee and the Honor Court can either occur in writing or by personal communication with the President. The Student has the right to appeal any finding or penalties to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty, with final appeal to the Dean of the College of Medicine.

 

Maintaining Documentation

All documentation will be kept in a confidential, locked file to insure the protection of all of those students involved. The President of the Honor Court or his/her designee will have access to that file.

 

APPENDIX A

Violations of the Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics applies to all conduct relating to a person's status as a student at the Drexel University College of Medicine and all conduct in which a student holds himself or herself out as a student of the College of Medicine.  All students of the Drexel University College of Medicine will be subject to the provisions of the Code of Ethics, whether or not they sign the Code at Orientation.  Any student whose integrity or personal conduct has been questioned can be referred to the Honor Court.  These issues include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Violations of Academic Standards

1.       Academic dishonesty is prohibited at Drexel University College of Medicine.  It is considered a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of scholarship, makes accurate evaluation of a student impossible and defrauds those in society who must depend on the knowledge and integrity of the institution, its faculty and its students.  Academic dishonesty is defined as obtaining or seeking to obtain an unfair academic advantage for oneself or any other student.  It includes, but is not limited to, lying, cheating, stealing, or engaging in dishonest conduct in the course of or related to any academic exercise.

2.       Complicity in academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, helping or attempting to help commit a violation of the Code of Ethics.  The student-physician will be expected to take an active role in ensuring that others, as well as himself or herself, uphold the spirit and letter of the Code of Ethics.  Each student has the responsibility to participate in the enforcement of the Code when necessary.  Failure to take appropriate action is considered a violation of the Code of Ethics in and of itself.

 

Violations of Professional Standards

1.       A cardinal obligation of the student-physician is to respect the integrity of all patients.  This includes recognizing the confidential nature of communications, both written and verbal, with the patient and with those with whom one discusses the patient's care.  Conduct in any interaction concerning patients should be completely above reproach.

2.       The student has an obligation to recognize that the hospital and medical records of the patients are legal documents and that reasonable care should be taken when marking on these records.  Under no circumstances should false information be recorded or items noted of which the student has no direct knowledge.  Records should never be altered.

3.       The student should act in a courteous manner to other members of the health care team, and avoid public comment concerning other health care professionals.  In addition, each student should encourage behavior in himself or herself, and in his or her colleagues, commensurate with societal expectations for members of the medical community.

 

Violations of Personal Standards

1The student is expected to behave in a manner befitting his or her standing in society, both inside and outside the hospital, as any personal misconduct reflects upon not only that individual, but also upon the academic community and the medical profession as a whole.  Personal misconduct includes, but is not limited to, any violation of federal, state, local, or Drexel University College of Medicine rules and regulations, as well as complicity in violating those rules and regulations.

 

APPENDIX B

Student Rights

1.       Students have a right to expect that the Drexel University College of Medicine community is committed to the Code of Ethics, and that this commitment will be reflected in the behavior of the members of the community.

2.       If a student knows of a violation of the Code of Ethics, s/he has a right and an obligation to report the behavior to the Honor Court.

3.       Students have a right to expect their reputations to be protected by the Honor Court during the process of handling any accusation. Any student making a complaint, as well as any student accused of a violation, has a right to expect complete and absolute confidentiality during the entire process of investigation and the proceedings of the Honor Court.  Honor Court members and others involved in the processes will not disclose any information about the case to anyone outside the process.  All documentation, including the formal complaint, will be kept in a confidential, locked file in the Office of Student Affairs during the entire period of investigation.  If there is a finding that there was no violation, all records will be destroyed, there will be no permanent record of the investigation, and confidentiality will be maintained.

4.       Students accused have a right to a hearing before the student Honor Court. Students' complaints are heard before their elected peers, who act as representatives of the Drexel University College of Medicine community.  Honor Court Representatives are elected from the student body.  The Honor Court President is elected by the entire student body in the SGA elections.

5.       Students have a right to a fair hearing.  Honor Court members hearing a case should hear evidence and make a decision that is fair, impartial and unbiased.  Honor Court members may excuse themselves if they feel that they cannot hear a case and judge without bias, or if they have a conflict of interest.  If the student believes that any member of the Honor Court could not impartially hear and judge his/her case, the student may petition that the Honor Court member step down.

6.       Students have a right to present their own side.  Students will be able to bring witnesses and evidence, give information, make clarifications and explanations, and know the full extent of the charge and evidence against them.  The student will be able to make statements to the Honor Court, and may choose to have legal counsel.  The student will be able to answer the charges before the Honor Court, and to refute the accuser.

7.       Students have a right to a speedy resolution.  The first step in the process after a formal complaint is made, is a preliminary meeting with the Honor Court.  The student accused will hear the complaint, and may answer the charge at the time.  If the majority of Honor Court Representatives do not believe that there was a violation, the case will be closed and go no further.  Meetings with the Honor Court, as well as formal hearings before the Court, will be scheduled so as to avoid excessive delay.  If the student accused cannot be present at the scheduled time, a delay of up to ten days may be made.  If the student chooses not to appear, the hearing will be held without the student, and a decision will be reached.

8.       Students have the right to know the consequences of an Honor Court decision.  Documentation will be kept from the time of the formal complaint through any subsequent meetings, investigations or hearings.  The Honor Court will have all the documentary materials during the period of deliberation.  If the Honor Court finds that there has been no violation, all documentation will be destroyed, the student and the complainant will be informed, and the case will be considered closed.  Confidentiality will be maintained by all concerned after the final decision.  Cases in which a majority of Honor Court members vote that a violation has been committed will be referred to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty along with the results of the vote.  The student will be informed of the decision.  The decision and recommendation of the Honor Court, along with all information and documentation, will be forwarded to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty for review and for consideration for levying of sanctions.  Honor Court documentation will be kept in a locked file in the Office of Student Affairs for a period of five years after the graduation date of the student's class.

9.       Students have the right to appeal.  The student has a right to appeal any finding or penalty to the Student Promotions Committee of the Faculty, with final appeal to the Dean of the College of Medicine.

 

APPENDIX C

Amendment Process

Any amendments to the Code of Ethics must be rendered in accordance with SGA policy and follow the amendment procedure as outlined in the SGA constitution. Recommendations for revisions to the Code of Ethics must be initiated and executed by the Honor Court and its members, and presented to the SGA for approval.