From the student handbook.

ACADEMIC GUIDELINES

This section explains regulations that affect students after admission, as well as general information. Regulations regarding admission may be found in the School Catalog.
When a student registers at SABA University, he or she accepts the official academic regulations. The student is expected to follow the program outline and should do sufficient planning to avoid scheduling difficulties, which may impede normal academic progress.
Academic Freedom
SABA University guarantees to faculty members academic freedom in teaching, research, and publication as defined by the American Association of University Professors’ 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure and the Association’s 1970 Interpretive Comments on that statement. The test and details of the college’s statement on academic freedom is published in the SABA University Faculty Manual.
Academic Honesty
In an academic community, honesty and integrity must prevail if the work done and the honors awarded are to receive respect. The erosion of honesty is the academic community’s ultimate loss. The responsibility for the practice and preservation of honesty must be equally assumed by all of its members.
Definition--Academic honesty requires the presentation for evaluation and credit of one’s own work, not the work of others. In general, academic honesty excludes: cheating on an examination of any type, giving or receiving, offering or soliciting information on any examination. This includes the following:
a. Copying from another student’s paper.
b. Use of prepared materials, notes, or texts other than those specifically permitted by the instructor during the examination.
c. Collaboration with another student during examination.
d. Buying, selling, stealing, soliciting, or transmitting an examination or any other material purported to be unrealized contents of an upcoming examination, or the use of any such material.
e. Substituting for another person during an examination or allowing such substitution for one self.
f. Bribery of any person to obtain examination information.
Plagiarism--is the failure to acknowledge indebtedness. It is always assumed that the written work offered for evaluation and credit is the student's own unless otherwise acknowledged. Such acknowledgement should occur whenever one quotes another person’s actual work or whenever one appropriates another person’s ideas, opinions, or theories, even if they are paraphrased, and whenever one borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials unless the information is common knowledge.
Collusion--is collaboration with another person in the preparation or editing of notes, themes, reports, or other written work or in laboratory work offered for evaluation and credit, unless such collaboration is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Credential misrepresentation--is the use of false or misleading statements in order to gain admission to SABA University. It also involves the use of false or misleading statements in an
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effort to obtain employment or university admission elsewhere, while one is enrolled at SABA University.
Faculty’s Responsibility--It is the duty of the faculty to practice and preserve academic honesty and to encourage it among students. The instructor should clarify any situation peculiar to the course that may differ from the generally stated policy. He/she should furthermore endeavor to make explicit the intent and purpose of each assignment so that the student may complete the assignment without unintentionally compromising academic honesty. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to provide for appropriate supervision of examinations.
Student’s Responsibility--It is the duty of the student to practice and preserve academic honesty. If the student has any doubt about a situation, he or she should consult with his or her instructor.
Procedures--Upon encountering a violation of academic honesty by a student, a faculty member should:
1. Confront the student and make charges known.
2. Discuss the matter thoroughly with the student so that each position is clearly delineated.
3. Decide what action is appropriate.
4. Remind the student to refer to the Appeal Procedure outlined below. If the violation is less severe than one requiring a “WF” for the course, the faculty member should:
a. Report the violation and the action taken to the associate dean, who will then report the matter to the Dean.
b. The Student Conduct Committee will meet and copies of the actions will be
placed in the student file in the main office.
If the violation is severe enough to warrant a “WF” for the course, the faculty member should:
1. Notify the appropriate Dean, who if he judges the case to have sufficient merit will refer the case to the Student Conduct Committee.
2. A recommendation to give the “WF” may be made by the Conduct Committee. The recommendation of the Conduct Committee may be dismissal, suspension, some other penalty or if the student is removed from a course, then a W with F or P based on current class standing will be appropriate.
3. If those reviewing the matter do not agree with interpretation of the evidence or the action taken by the faculty member, they may ask him/her to reconsider. After reconsidering the matter, the faculty member may stand by the original decision and forward the “WF” withdrawal form to the Dean.
4. If those reviewing agree with the faculty member, the withdrawal form shall be forwarded to the Dean for final disposition.
The Dean Shall
1. Review each faculty member's recommendation for a “WF” for the course.
2. Check the academic honesty status of the student via the academic dishonesty file and either let the “WF” stand or make some other recommendation.
3. Initiate a final decision
4. If the “WF” is to stand, the Dean shall send the withdrawal form to the School Administrator and have the violation entered into the academic dishonesty file.
5. Notify the involved faculty member in writing of the action taken.
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The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Shall
1. Upon the student's second offense requiring a “WF” for a course, expel the student from SABA University and direct the School Administrator to enter the phrase “Ineligible to Register” on the student’s permanent record.
2. Maintain the academic dishonesty file so that appropriate administrators have access to the record of violations but also so that the student's rights to limited access shall be safe-guarded. Should the student desire to appeal the decision for punitive action, he or she shall notify the Dean, who will ask the Promotions Committee to arrange a hearing in the manner set forth by the "Student Academic Grievances" policy.
Appeal Procedure
Should the student desire to appeal the decision for punitive action, he/she shall notify the appropriate Dean in writing, state the reason for the appeal and submit any supporting documents relative to the appeal for review by the Conduct Committee. This process is covered in more detail within this handbook.
Student Government Association
Each class annually elects officers to coordinate its activities. The class officers also meet regularly with the assistant dean of student affairs. The SGA bylaws are contained in this handbook. In addition, the student president and vice president of each class make up the Student Council, which meets with the deans and other administrative officers. Students may serve actively on a number of school committees.
Student Academic Grievances Policy
The university provides an opportunity for students who may wish to register dissatisfaction with respect to:
1. General academic organization in the university
2. Course or clerkship management, presentation, or evaluation procedures.
3. Assigned grades in course or clerkships.
The channels for redress are as follows:
A. Problems having to do with the academic organization in the university in general should be presented, in writing, to the following individuals:
a) The class representative
b) The Student Government Association.
c) The Associate Dean of Basic Science
d) The Dean of the School of Medicine
B. Students with specific course or clerkship grievances may seek redress by presenting, in writing, the problem for resolution to the following individuals:
a) The course director or clerkship coordinator
b) The Department Chairperson
c) The Promotions Committee
d) The Dean of the School of Medicine
C. A student who wishes to appeal a grade received in a course or clerkship, must seek a resolution through the following channels in order as noted. The appeal should be in writing as follows:
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a) The course director or clerkship coordinator
b) The Department Chairperson
c) The Promotions Committee
d) The Dean of the Medical School.
At each level, the individual contacted will work to resolve the problem. Consideration at a higher level should not be made until the previous level has sufficient opportunity to achieve a solution.
Confidentiality of Student Records
In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, SABA University School of Medicine students have the right to review, inspect, and challenge the accuracy of information kept in the cumulative file by the institution. Records that may be released to the student for review include: grade and evaluation reports and transcripts that relate to student progress. Student progress notes that are held by individual faculty are not considered part of the student's official file and cannot be released.
Student Promotion Committee
The Student Promotion Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Deans of the Medical School regarding the promotion and/or retention of students based upon the academic progress of the student. The Student Promotions Committee shall consist of no less than three faculty members, with the chairperson appointed by the Dean.
Promotions Committee Guidelines on Academic Progress in the Basic Science Program
The Promotion Committee, as directed in the SUOSM Catalogue, will review all students’ progress throughout their academic careers at SUOSM.
The Promotions Committee will recommend that all of the following students be placed on probation for two semesters:
1. Students admitted to SUSOM with advanced standing, i.e., transfer students. These students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or a grade percentage average of 75% or higher; if not, the Promotions Committee will recommend that the student be dismissed from SUSOM.
2. Students with a cumulative GPA of <2.0 of a grade percentage of <75%.
Note: If a student achieves an overall GPA of less than 2.0, or a grade percentage average of <75%, the student cannot progress from SUSOM Basic Science Program to clinical rotations.
3. Students who fail one course must repeat that course in the next semester.
Note: A student who has been placed on Academic Probation should not be permitted to register for an overload (i.e. more than 3 courses or Hyperbaric Medicine) during the time the student is on Academic Probation. The Promotions Committee will recommend that the student be placed on Academic Probation for two semesters after any failed course.
4. Students who withdraw from a course.
The Promotions Committee may recommend dismissal from SUSM for any of the following criteria:
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1. Students who fail a course while on academic probation.
2. Students who withdraw from a course while on academic probation.
3. Students who fail two courses in a single semester.
Promotion Committee Guidelines on Academic Progress of Students in Clinical Rotations.
1. Any student in clinical rotations who receives a grade of F (failure) will be reviewed by the Promotions Committee. The Promotions Committee may recommend to the Associate Dean of Clinical Medicine that the student be placed on academic probation for one year. If a second grade of F (failure) is earned by the student while on academic probation, the student will be reconsidered, and the Associate dean of Clinical Medicine, upon the recommendation of the Promotions Committee may dismiss the student.
2. The Associate Dean of Clinical Medicine will determine whether a grade of C or I
(Incomplete) should be reviewed by the Promotions Committee, and whether a remedial
program will be required of the student, i.e. additional weeks of rotation in the discipline.
Appeal’s Process
A student may appeal the decision of the Promotions Committee to the Associate Dean of Basic Sciences or the Associate Dean of Clinical Medicine on the grounds that the special and intervening circumstances exist that explain the failing performance, and that these circumstances can be or have been corrected that will allow the student to perform at a passing level in the future.
The student must submit a written appeal to the Associate Dean within 7 working days of notification of Academic Probation and must include in the letter any special circumstances that explain the poor performance. In addition, the letter must include an explanation of how the student’s academic performance has or will be adjusted. While the decision of the Associate Dean is pending, the student will continue in the SUSOM program if the Associate Dean deems it appropriate.
Finally, in the case of a negative decision by the Associate Dean, the student has the right of appeal to the Executive Dean. The Executive Dean may consider the circumstances of the event but he primary review will be whether the student received due process and whether the University’s process and procedures will followed based upon the applicable student handbook. The appeal should be made in writing within 7 working days to the Executive Dean located in the Gardner office.
Academic Probation
Any student who fails a course by achieving a grade below 75% will be placed on academic probation. All transfer students admitted with advanced standing will be placed on academic probation for their first semester. Students on academic probation are reviewed each semester and may be removed from academic probation if they have demonstrated superior academic performance. Graduation from the basic science program confers removal of academic probation status.
Student Conduct Committee
The Student Conduct Committee deals with (1) cheating or other unethical academic conduct, (2) violation of the laws or statues of the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, and (3) demonstrations of behavioral or emotional instability that impairs judgment and/or represents a potential compromise to patient care or violation of the Honor Code of SABA University School
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of Medicine. Actions of the Student Conduct Committee include but are not limited to:
1. Community service for minor offense
2. Suspension from the School of Medicine
3. Dismissal from the School of Medicine
Examples of actions that will lead to disciplinary action include: cheating, plagiarism, fighting, falsification of documents used to gain admission, public drunkenness, and the use, possession or dealing illegal drugs. Also, failure to carry out assigned duties in the Hyperbaric program, Electives, Physical Diagnosis, Clinical Medicine or the failure to be available when on call. More information on this process is explained in this handbook.
Honor Code
“As a student of SABA University School of Medicine, I recognize that I am to be held to the highest standards of conduct and ethics in every aspect of my life. As a medical professional, I have read and will adhere to the code of academic honesty published in this manual. I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate anyone who does. All work handed in for grading will represent my own effort, without assistance from others. In my relationships with others, I will at all times demonstrate that I am a mature, caring adult worthy of consideration for advancement to the last two years of clinical training at SABA University School of Medicine. At no time should my actions jeopardize the safety and well being of my fellow students, faculty, patients or persons in the community of Saba. I will not cause disturbances, violate laws, initiate hostile or aggressive acts, or violate patient confidentiality.”
Substance Abuse & Treatment
Similar to many North American medical schools and hospitals, SABA University School of Medicine is concerned about impaired health care professionals and as such has instituted a program of random testing for alcohol and drugs.
SABA University is providing a medical education for future physicians. We recognize that during a physician’s professional life there will be serious consequences if they are found to be using illegal substances, abusing alcohol or prescription drugs. These consequences may involve mandatory extensive treatment being under the surveillance for years; to losing one’s prescribing privileges or even one’s license to practice medicine. We also recognize that medical training and a medical career can be exceedingly stressful and the temptation to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs can be great and we recognize that chemical dependency is an illness requiring treatment.
Because of these reasons, there is zero tolerance to drug use, distribution, possession or excessive use of alcohol, both on and off campus at SUSOM. All students prior to coming to Saba will be expected to sign a waiver allowing random drug testing. In the event of a specific complaint about a student the test will not be random.
Anyone found trafficking illegal substances will be expelled from SUSOM. In the event that a drug test is positive, the student will be asked to undergo an evaluation of dependency at a facility at an approved for treatment of Health Care Professionals. This is to ensure that the facility is competent to assess and treat health care professionals who have very special treatment needs. The University will abide by the independent assessment of this facility. However, if the recommendation is that the student has a chemical dependency problem, the student will be expected to complete a treatment program in a facility satisfactory to SUSOM and be in a satisfactory recovery before returning to medical school. The medical school will expect
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confirmation of this fact from the treating facility.
We support students dealing with these problems before they are working in a hospital setting where the condition may not be dealt with as humanely and the opportunity for continuing in a medical career may be lost. The student will be allowed to resume their studies and will be monitored with random drug screens for the duration of their medical education. SUSOM is supportive of students who have dealt with chemical dependency and are working in a good recovery program.
Dress Code and Demeanor
The purpose of a dress code is to provide an environment, free of distraction or disruption and to maintain an academic focus in the classroom and on campus. Appropriate dress also communicates to the community high standards of discipline and seriousness of purpose. As aspiring doctors, it is important to project an air of professionalism when possible. The following guidelines regarding appearance and conduct apply to the students during classroom hours and while on campus.
1. Recognize that extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back), tight and skimpy bottoms and see-through garments are not appropriate.
2. Ensure that underwear is completely covered with outer clothing.
3. Low-slung pants and baseball caps are not permitted in classrooms.
4. The use of profanity and vulgar language is inappropriate when addressing staff, faculty and fellow students.
Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further discipline and possibly suspension.
Children in the Classroom
One of the goals of an educational institution is to provide the most conducive learning environment possible for all students. Although this institution values children and families, children in the classroom are a distraction and can be a disruption. Therefore, children are not permitted in the classroom.
Older children may utilize the Cafeteria, but it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that the children do not disrupt other members of the community who may also be utilizing those facilities. If disruptions occur, this privilege may be withdrawn.
Saba Violations
Violation of the laws of Saba that will lead to disciplinary action include: Practicing medicine without a license, driving without a Saba Driver’s License, driving without car insurance, parking in areas where student parking is prohibited on the streets during daytime and parking near the hospital.
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ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Students Academic Responsibilities
The SABA School of Medicine student, by voluntarily accepting admission to the institution accepts the academic requirements, the honor code and academic regulations of this institution. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill course work, MD degree requirements and to know and meet the criteria for satisfactory progress and completion of the program.
To assist the student in meeting these requirements, Saba University provides the following types of assistance:
1. A mentor-tutoring program
2. Formal regular meetings with the faculty
3. Study efficiency counseling
4. Personal and financial counseling
5. Due process proceedings for academic and disciplinary problems
To obtain assistance the student can see their classroom instructors, their Faculty Advisor, the Student Counseling Officer or the appropriate Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and are responsible for all material presented in lectures, handouts, and assigned readings. Attendance and participation at demonstrations, laboratories, small group sessions, and conferences are required. If a student anticipates an absence from a laboratory, demonstration, small group session or conference session, or if an emergency arises, the student will contact the instructor involved in advance of the scheduled event. If the student cannot contact the instructor involved, the student may be excused upon notification of and approval by, the Office of the appropriate Associate/Assistant Dean who will in turn contact the instructor prior to the scheduled event. In the event that the student is excused from the laboratory, demonstration, small group session or conference session, the event must be made up in a manner determined by the instructor. In the circumstances where the approved absence in due to illness, the student must present to the Associate Dean, an excuse from the physician at the Student Health Clinic (at A.M. Edwards Hospitals on Saba) or a Clinical Rotation Health Center physician. The excuse must be written on the date of absence or referencing an ongoing illness before the student will be eligible for a make up of the laboratory, demonstration small group session or rotation/conference session. Students who are absent from 10% or more of the basic sciences classes, whether absences are excused or unexcused, will have to repeat the class and are subject to dismissal from the M.D. program.
Attendance is a vital part of the clinical training experience and is mandatory to attend the entire duration of each clinical rotation. Failure to report on time, or failure to attend during a rotation or a departure prior to the end of a rotation without the agreement of the clinical preceptor, the Saba affiliate hospital Director of Medical Education and/or the Clinical Education Office, will result in a grade of “F” being issued for a rotation. Medical students must be aware that activities may be scheduled on weekends in addition to the regular workweek.
Class Examinations
Students are required to be present at the scheduled time for every examination. It is the responsibility of the student to refrain from academic dishonesty, to refrain from any conduct that may lead to suspicion of academic dishonesty, and to refrain from conduct that aids others in academic dishonesty. Scheduled examination policy and procedures are determined by the faculty. The faculty coordinator is responsible for each course. This policy is presented to the
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students at the beginning of each course. These procedures, during an exam, will include the following activities:
1. Proctors will be present during the administration of every examination.
2. Examinees will not sit next to each other.
3. Only writing instruments and calculators (unless authorized by the instructor) can be in the possession of the examinees during the exam.
4. Examinees will sit in assigned seats.
5. There may be at times at least two versions of each written exam that will be administered using a scrambled sequence of exam questions.
6. Examinees will be permitted to go to the rest room one at a time. They must use the restroom closest to the test area and must sign time out and time in.
7. Examinees who have completed the exam may not loiter in the hall outside the test area.
8. Exams can be administered any day of the week including weekends.
Test Center Rules
Students are to arrive at least 5 minutes prior the scheduled exam time. Students may not leave the classroom unless there is an extreme emergency and they have prior permission from proctor. Additional time is not given to make up for bathroom time.
• No beverages or food of any kind is allowed in the test center.
• No cell phones allowed in the testing center.
• No hats are allowed.
• Place all bags on back shelf at the back of testing center
• Be seated, be quiet and display your student id card
• Login to the exam selection prompt
• Do not start exam until you are told to do so
• Report any problems immediately to the proctor
• When done – hand in your scratch paper and leave quietly
Please check with your course director to see if there are seating assignments for the current exams. If so, identify the location of your pre assigned seat and prepare yourself for the exam.
Please be seated and log on using your current login and password. A successful login will result in a page telling you that the particular exam you are about to take is ONLINE. DO NOT START THE EXAM UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO. This is to prevent server overload. You can start the exam ONLY after the IT team has given the O.K to do so.
PROBLEMS: If the power fails and the computer shuts down, DO NOT TOUCH THE KEYBOARD! The IT team will assist each of you into restarting the exam. If the above procedure is not properly followed, you may lose the answers to the already answered questions. There are certain procedures to follow to resume the exam. Observe and follow the procedures under the guidance of your professor and the IT team.
OTHER OCCURNCES: From time to time a pop up may appear on the screen indicating that a java script did not succeed or perform properly; CLOSE the message box and disregard the message; it is a bug in the Windows software.
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Occasionally, when ending the exam and after pressing the SUBMIT button, the application will freeze. When this happens, you will not be able to see the result of the test you have just finished, but the score will be properly recorded in the server.
• Wait until everybody finishes the exam and get the results from your course director.
In case ANY OTHER PROBLEMS occur, do not panic, raise your hand and someone will promptly assist you. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Policy Regarding Absence from Examinations
It is expected that students will not be absent from any examination. Allowances may however be made for emergency or catastrophic circumstances. Absence from a course examination without obtaining an excused absence from the Assistant Dean of Students will result in a zero mark for that examination. Absence from a course examination may be excused for the following reasons:
1. Personal medical emergency, such as personal injury, sickness or other urgent health-related matters;
2. Family emergency, such as death or sickness of a family member; or
3. Other critical circumstances at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Students.
For non-emergency situations, the student is encouraged to refer to the student handbook section regarding withdrawal from classes for the semester.
In order to obtain an excused absence, the student must present either an oral or a written request to the Assistant Dean of Students. A request for absence from an examination should preferably be made in writing prior to the anticipated absence. If the absence is unplanned and/or the student cannot reasonably provide a request prior to the examination, the student must present a request within one day after returning to classes.
The Assistant Dean of Students shall either approve or disapprove of the request within a reasonable time of its receipt. Approval of a request for excused absence from an examination is at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Students. In the event a request has been disapproved, the student retains the option of appeal to the Associate Dean.
If a request for an excused absence from a course examination has been approved, the Assistant Dean of Students shall notify the appropriate Course Instructor(s). The Assistant Dean of Students and all relevant Course Instructors must then confer and agree as to which options will be offered to the student in lieu of taking the course examination. Such options include a “make-up” examination or other option(s) deemed to be appropriate and agreed to by both the Assistant Dean of Students and the Course Instructor(s).
Approval of excused absences from an examination will only be considered where sufficient documentation of an emergency is presented. Upon return to classes, the student must present appropriate written confirmation of the event for which the excused absence was requested, such as a letter from a physician, death certificate, obituary from a newspaper, letter from a recognized authority, travel receipts or other relevant material.
Special requirements must be met in order to obtain an excused absence in the event of personal illness afflicting the student on the island on the day of a scheduled exam(s). The student must:
1. Inform the school before or at the time of the exam(s), and
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2. Produce a physician’s note signed, dated, and timed on or about the start of the exam(s).
The physician’s note must state that he/she examined the student and found that the student was unfit to take the exam(s) at the scheduled time.
Students’ Course and Instructor Evaluations
The SABA Faculty is committed to a process of complete and meaningful evaluation of the curriculum and faculty. The Curriculum Committee has the responsibility of conducting course evaluations and soliciting input from various sources, including students. Faculty evaluations become part of the personnel file of the individual. It should be emphasized that student evaluations, although important, are not the sole component of faculty or curriculum evaluations. Changes in teaching or curriculum will usually occur over a period of time; however, student evaluations are important and contribute to the overall improvement of the program. The evaluation process is designed to solicit the views of students in a manner that will maximize participation, and the validity of the results.
Evaluation of Courses
Student evaluations of courses are conducted by the Assistant Dean of Students, under supervision of the Dean’s Office on Saba. This office tabulates the evaluation for each course, and transmits the information to the appropriate course coordinator as well as to the Curriculum Committee upon request.
Evaluation of courses is conducted using a survey form developed by the Associate Dean’s office, plus additional questions requested by course coordinators. Courses with extensive laboratory components, such as gross anatomy, histology, etc., will conduct a separate evaluation of the laboratory.
The evaluation will be conducted under supervision of the Dean’s Office and the SGA on Saba, at appropriate times during a course or semester. During the evaluation, course faculty will be asked to leave and the SGA student representatives will conduct the evaluation. The Assistant Dean will tabulate the results, including acceptable written comments and transmit this information directory to the course coordinator, the Curriculum Committee, and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Evaluation of Instructors
Instructor evaluations are conducted each semester using a survey form. Evaluations will be conducted of all instructors with faculty appointments of 50% of more. Upon special requests evaluations will be performed of faculty with less than 50% appointments.
The precise time of instructor evaluation will be selected by the instructor so as to follow the major teaching responsibilities of the instructor, and not be disruptive of the overall teaching and evaluation programs.
The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will tabulate the evaluations and transmit the information to the instructor and to the proper Dean’s Office. Instructors are requested to make student evaluations available for use during annual reviews and considerations for promotion or tenure.
Student Off Campus Meetings & Attendance Guidelines
The primary mission of the SABA University administration is the education of their medical
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students. From time to time outside organizations associated with medical students may place a request upon the students or that it may be desirable for them to be absent from the educational program, including testing of student performance in that program. Since the primary responsibility of SABA is education, this policy is designed and intended to assist the students to attend meetings. This policy intends to provide the opportunity for attendance, while defending the level of quality expected of the students.
In the absence of a formal compliant policy by a particular faculty member for requiring students to be in attendance for their lectures, students still are responsible for any missed classroom assignments, etc. If there exists a desire or necessity of the student to attend a meeting that will result in the student being absent from a laboratory, a conference, small group session, demonstration or an examination, then the medical student will follow the procedures outlined below:
NOTE: The form referred to below should be secured from the office of the Associate Dean for Basic Science and used to obtain all the required signatures.
The students should use the form to arrange with the course coordinator or chair of the affected course or division that they:
1. Be allowed to be away from the institution during that specified event/course for purposes of attending the meeting.
2. Are requesting an agreed upon procedure for the make-up of that event.
The course coordinator must:
1. Decide whether to recommend that the student be allowed to be absent from that event.
2. If in agreement, sign off on the students request and note on the request the procedures by which the student will make-up the event, including date and time.
The written request form with the signature of the affected faculty and make-up procedures must be given to the Associate Dean for Basic Science for his approval. If the Associate Dean for Basic
Science approves the request; he/she will sign the student’s request and send a copy of the request to all affected faculty and students.
The student, course coordinator chair, and the Associate Dean for Basic Science must keep in mind that students with a low academic standing may be placing themselves in an increasingly difficult situation by requesting to attend such meetings. The student, the faculty and the Associate Dean for Basic Science must make a judgment as to whether such attendance would further compromise the ability of the student to maintain and improve the quality of his medical knowledge. While not a hard and fast guideline, the student should be maintaining a satisfactory GPA in the course or discipline involved to be considered for approval of attendance at meetings that require them to miss conferences, lectures, laboratories, discussions, small group sessions or exams. Students on academic probation will not be approved.
Course Cancellation
In the event it becomes necessary for SABA University to cancel a course for insufficient enrollment or any other reason, students may transfer to another course or receive a full refund
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and fees for that course.
Refunds
Tuition and fees shall be refunded in full, less an administrative fee of $100, and the $750 acceptance deposit, if notice of withdrawal is received prior to the first day of class. Tuition and fees shall also be refunded in full for the current enrollment period, less an administrative fee of $100, and the acceptance deposit, under the following circumstances:
&#x100083; Courses cancelled by the institution
&#x100083; Involuntary call to active military duty
&#x100083; Documented death of the student
&#x100083; Exceptional circumstances, with approval of the president or designee of the institution.
Application fees are non-refundable. Refunds will be calculated by the finance office and will be refunded within (30) days of withdrawal. The tuition will be refunded as follows:
&#x100083; A refund of 100% of the tuition for which the student is obligated shall be issued if the student withdraws prior to the first day of class.
&#x100083; A refund of 90% of the tuition for which the student is obligated shall be issued if the student’s last date of attendance is prior to the expiration of 10% of the period of enrollment for which the student was charged or obligated.
&#x100083; A refund of 50% of the tuition for which the student is obligated shall be issued if the student’s last date of attendance is prior to the expiration of 25% of the period of enrollment for which the student was charged or obligated but more than 10%.
&#x100083; A refund of 25% of the tuition for which the student is obligated shall be issued if the student’s last date of attendance is prior to the expiration of 50% of the period of enrollment for which the student was charged or obligated but more than 25%.
&#x100083; In case of withdrawal after 50% of the period of enrollment, the student is obligated for full tuition and fees.
All monies paid by an applicant will be refunded if cancellation occurs within three business days after signing the terms of enrollment and making initial payment.
In order to be eligible for a tuition refund, students must obtain a financial clearance letter from the administrative office at SABA University and a formal withdrawal form must be completed and authorized by the Dean.