Academic Infraction Policy

Overview/Rationale

Students charged with an academic infraction is entitled to notice of the charges, an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to appeal an academic disciplinary decision to the dean of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S).  

Accreditation Standards 

LCME Accreditation Standard 9.9 Student Advancement and Appeal Process  

Stakeholders 

Medical students and Faculty 

Policy/Procedure

A student charged with an academic infraction is entitled to notice of the charges, an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to appeal an academic disciplinary decision to the dean of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S).  

Faculty, staff or students with concerns that a student has committed an academic infraction should contact the course director and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services.  Students may instead report concerns through the Student Honor Code Committee.  Based on the information provided to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services, an academic infraction disciplinary proceeding may then follow.  An academic infraction disciplinary proceeding begins with a written communication from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services requiring the student to attend a disciplinary hearing to respond to a specified charge. The hearing is held by the Academic Appeals Committee as noted, and there is a member of the Columbia University Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) as well as ex-officio members from the dean’s office that include representation from the office of diversity inclusion and belonging.  The Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services is also ex officio and non-voting. These meetings are recorded and transcribed.

The hearing is a fact-finding proceeding. There is no formal process for direct questioning of individuals providing testimony or for challenging the presented evidence during the proceedings. While students have the right to seek advice from legal counsel, attorneys are not permitted to attend the hearing or the appeals process. The student may, however, designate a support person from the VP&S Faculty who must remain silent to accompany them, in accordance with institutional policies.  

The student is informed of the evidence that led to the committee needing to meet and asked to respond in the hearing or in writing. The student may request individuals to appear on his or her behalf and they may submit relevant documents or information.  

After the Academic Appeals Committee has heard the student and others and considered all the evidence, it reaches a determination and consults with the Columbia University Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI).  The Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services. notifies the student in writing of that decision. If the student is found to have committed an academic infraction, the penalty can include failing and repeating the course, additional remediation coursework, probation, suspension, dismissal, or any combination of these.  

The student has the right to appeal a decision that results from a dean’s discipline hearing to the dean of the faculty of medicine, The appeal must be made in writing within 10 business days of the time the student is notified of the decision, and it must clearly state the grounds for appeal. Such an appeal should be sent to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Support and Services at Vagelos Education Center, Suite 1103. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine or their designee as the Appellate Officer will make a final determination. There is no further appeal within the University.  

Administrative Resolution Policy  

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services. (or designee) has the discretion to refer a professionalism violation to the Columbia University Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for mediation or other forms of appropriate alternate resolution in lieu of Dean's Discipline or Academic Infraction proceedings. This determination is made at the onset of receiving a report. Any unsuccessful alternate resolution may be forwarded for formal processing and/or a hearing.   

Administrative resolution can take place when a Complainant does not want to engage in other resolution processes, or where the Office, at its discretion and based on the available information, determines that an administrative resolution is necessary to ensure that professionalism violations are appropriately addressed and to ensure the safety of the University community.