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Mercer UniversitySchool of MedicineStudent HandbookMacon – Savannah – Columbus2016-2017

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Mercer University School of MedicineStudent Handbook and Program Handbooks 2016-2017(Last Revised July 2016 WPR)Students must read the MUSM Student Handbook and acknowledge their understanding of its contents priorto beginning classes at the School of Medicine*The Mercer University Student Handbook, the School of Medicine Student Handbook and the Program Handbooksset forth the major policies and procedures affecting students. Because the University is a dynamic institution,changes are inevitable. This handbook will be revised as new policies and procedures are adopted. The latestedition will supersede all former editions unless stated otherwise in the text. A majority of student policies andresources can be found in the Mercer University Student Handbook and the University Catalog foundat www.mercer.edu/provost. The School of Medicine has additional information and policies that pertain tospecific student populations that can be found in the SOM Student Handbook and the Program Handbooks alsofound at www.mercer.edu/provost. These resources, when taken as a whole, provide students with a basicunderstanding of the rights and responsibilities of Mercer students.Students are encouraged to review these documents and to contact the Office of Student Affairs on their campus ifthey have any questions. Online copies will contain the most up to date versions of policies and supersede anyprinted copies should any discrepancies exist. These documents may be provided in an alternative format uponrequest. The provisions of the Mercer University Student Handbook supersede collegiate and campus policies andprocedures.Wherever the University has chosen to adopt policies and principles similar to or incorporating portions ofstatements of the American Association of University Professors or other external bodies, the University reservesthe right to interpret such policies or principles for itself and is not bound by external interpretations.All provisions, regulations, degree programs and course listings in effect when the Student Handbook went topress and/or are posted on the website are subject to revision by the appropriate governing bodies of MercerUniversity School of Medicine (MUSM). Students pursuing degree programs when such changes are instituted areexpected to comply with the revisions that relate to their programs. It should be understood that the statements inthis Handbook are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract betweenMUSM and the student. Though the provisions of this Handbook will ordinarily be applied as stated, MUSMreserves the right to change any provisions contained herein, including but not limited to academic requirementsfor graduation, without actual notice to individual students. Students are responsible for knowing all regulationsand procedures required by MUSM and the advanced degree program being pursued. In no case will a regulationbe waived or an exception granted because of ignorance of the regulation or of the assertion that the student wasnot informed by the advisor or other authority. Students should consult frequently with school deans, chairs, ordirectors, as appropriate regarding current degree requirements.The Mercer University School of Medicine is a Member of the Association of American Medical Colleges with fullaccreditation awarded by Liaison Committee on Medical Education. It is the purpose of the University to adhere toall the rules and regulations, course offerings, and financial charges as announced in the Bulletin or in otherpublications. The University, nevertheless, hereby gives notice that it reserves the right to withdraw any subject, tochange its rules affecting the admission and retention of students or the granting of credit or degrees, or to alter itsfees and other charges, whenever such changes are adjudged desirable or necessary. Attendance at MercerUniversity is a privilege which may be forfeited by any student whose conduct is adjudged as not being in harmonywith the traditions, the policies, and the regulations of the University.*A copy of the acknowledgement form will be provided to each student upon matriculation to the School ofMedicine.3

MERCER UNIVERSITYSCHOOL OF MEDICINEReceipt of Student Handbook and Program Handbook FormI, the undersigned, am in receipt of the Mercer University School of Medicine Student Handbook and willabide by the policies and procedures provided therein.I further acknowledge that each program of the School of Medicine will have policies and curricularexpectations described in the Program Handbook and I further agree to abide by the policies andprocedures provided therein.Print NameSignatureDate4

Table of ContentsGeneral InformationAccreditation . 6Federal Disclosure Requirements . 6Mission Statement . 7Vision and Diversity Statements .8MUSM Administration and Community Directory . 9University-Wide PoliciesAcademic Integrity.12ACCESS and Accommodation .12Communication, Official .12Community of Respect .12Conduct Off Campus Behavior .13Conduct, Student Conduct and Judicial Programs .13Conduct, Formulation of Regulations and Code of Conduct .16Drug and Alcohol Policy .16Drug-Free Workplace and Campus Program.17Grievance, Academic .19Grievance, Nonacademic .20Information Technology Policy .21Missing Student Policy .23Religious Observance Policy .24Rights of Students .24Rights Pertaining to Education Records .24Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy .26Tobacco Free Policy.28University Graphic Standards .28School-Wide PoliciesConflict of Interest Policy .29Dress Code and Identification Badges .32Grievance, Nonacademic .34Health Care Policies .36Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).37Holidays, School of Medicine .37Honor Codes, Mercer University School of Medicine .38Graduate Student Honor System.38Medical Student Honor System.44Immunization Policy .50Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid .52Testing Accommodations Policy .58Student Support ServicesDebt Management .60Financial Aid .60Housing Information .61Insurance Coverage .61Personal Support and Development Services .62Registrar’s Office.63Student Government and Organizations .65Student Health Services Program .705

General InformationAccreditationMercer University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Collegesand Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4501 for questions about theaccreditation of Mercer University. The Commission should only be contacted if there is evidence thatappears to support an institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.The School of Medicine is accredited by several accrediting bodies. The Doctor of Medicine is accreditedby the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. LCME is jointly sponsored by the Association ofAmerican Medical Colleges and the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association.The Marriage and Family Therapy Program of the School of Medicine is accredited by the Commission onAccreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education, American Association for Marriage and FamilyTherapy.The Masters in Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.For the most current information on Mercer University’s accrediting bodies, please refer to the catalogsor online at Federal Disclosure RequirementsMercer University’s Federal Disclosure Requirements are available on the University web site athttp://disclosure.mercer.edu/. This report contains the following information: Campus Security: Jeanne Clery Disclosure for Campus Security, campus crime statistics, CampusSex Crime Prevention Act, and fire safety Campus Emergency Procedures Drug and Alcohol Policies Financial Assistance and Cost of Attendance Information Health and Safety Information: immunization and missing persons information Institutional Information: accreditation, characteristics of students, degree programs, degreeprogram improvement plans, disability support services, FERPA information, retention andgraduation rates, peer-to-peer file sharing, post-graduate employment information, readmissionof veterans, transfer of credit, withdrawal procedures, voter registration, and satisfactoryprogress standardsPaper copies of these reports are available upon request. Please contact the Office of InstitutionalEffectiveness by mailing inquiries to:Office of Institutional EffectivenessMercer University1400 Coleman AvenueMacon, GA 312076

Mission Statement“To educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health careneeds of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia”We believe that the best medical schools focus on the needs of their communities and regions. Therefore,we select and educate medical students who are most likely to practice in medical specialties in shortsupply in the State of Georgia. These include primary care and a variety of other specialties. We alsoselect and educate students who are most likely to practice in locations in Georgia with shortages ofphysicians. Most of these are in rural areas, while some are in more metropolitan areas.At Mercer University School of Medicine we train the kinds of physicians and health care professionalsthat Georgia most needs who will practice in the areas where Georgia most needs them.Mission AreasTeaching – Excellence in educational programs that graduate caring, compassionate, competent healthcare professionals.Scholarly Activity and Research – Discovering new knowledge, integrating and applying knowledge toimprove the health status of Georgians.Clinical Care – Providing high quality, patient-centered, cost effective health care services.Community Service – Reaching out and partnering with neighborhoods and communities.Core ValuesThe endorsed core values of the Mercer University School of Medicine community are:Collaboration – working together and respecting each other’s contributionsCompassion – showing empathy and concern for the well-being of othersCompetence – demonstrating mastery of the skills of one’s profession or vocationExcellence – performing at the highest level and exceeding the expectations of those we serveIntegrity – unwavering adherence to a professional and ethical code of conductRespect and Honesty – conducting ourselves in a manner that demonstrates the value of each individualService – offering our talents and skills towards the betterment of our community“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy arethose who have sought and found how to serve.”-Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965)7