When conducting a review, the SPC examines a student's deficiencies and entire school record, including academic performance, conduct, and evaluator concerns, to decide on an appropriate course of action. Various actions or alternatives will be applied as needed for individual cases. The SPC can also establish timelines for completing these actions and criteria for future performance. The student will be notified of the plan in writing and will collaborate with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to implement it.
SPC Actions include but are not limited to:
· Allow Remediation and academic probation
· Disciplinary Warning/Letter of Reprimand
· Requirement for Work to be Redone
· Disciplinary Probation
· Dismissal
Each action is described in further detail below.
1. Allow Remediation and Academic Probation
The SPC determines whether a student will pursue remediation. Directors of courses or clinic rotations cannot initiate remediation for a student’s deficiency until the SPC has convened and decided on the appropriate action based on the student’s overall performance. This approach ensures that a coordinated plan is developed if the student faces challenges in multiple areas.
For students failing one course or rotation in a given academic year, the SPC will recommend one of the following:
· The student must take a remediation exam as stated in the remediation policy.
· The student must repeat all or a portion of the entire academic year.
Remediations will be reflected in the student’s official transcript.
If a student does not complete remediation within the timeline set by the SPC, or fails the remediation, they will be automatically dismissed from the program. Students that need remediation are put automatically on academic probation. Academic probation serves as a formal notification to a student that further deficiencies will lead to dismissal. The SPC exercises discretion to ensure that probation serves as a clear warning that dismissal is the next step. Any unsatisfactory progress within the SPC’s purview will lead to academic probation. Violation of LMU-CDM’s guidelines or policies related to personal or professional conduct while under probation may lead to dismissal.
While on academic probation, students are restricted from participating in non-clinical electives, serving in leadership roles in student activities, pursuing paid employment during school operating hours, , or engaging in any activity that might interfere with their dental school performance without prior permission from the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
. All students who fail a course will automatically be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the academic year and may appear before the Student Progress Committee at an officially convened meeting. Once placed on academic probation, a student will be required to attend all lectures and labs and will be required to follow all “at-risk” student policies as outlined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and it will be the student’s responsibility to set up a meeting with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs within 2 working days after receiving notice from SPC. Upon successful remediation of the course(s) and satisfactory academic progress, the student will be removed from probation at the end of the academic year unless specified otherwise,
Students on probation should not hold any offices within student organizations
2. Disciplinary Warning
A disciplinary warning addresses minor breaches in conduct, especially when it is evident that the student did not intend to deceive or misuse a right or privilege. The goal is to help the student recognize and rectify their behavior. The warning may include specific assignments or activities for the student to complete. A disciplinary warning is documented with a Letter of Reprimand and is included in the student’s Performance Evaluation at the discretion of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
3. Requirement for Remediation Work
SPC will require remediation of coursework or other graduation requirements but not egregious breaches in conduct. The intent is to have the student understand the consequences of behavior that the student knowingly violated LMU’s Academic and Professionalism Standards.
4. Disciplinary Probation
Students will be placed on disciplinary probation following a breach of LMU’s academic and professional standards. If further conduct issues arise during this probationary period, the student may be dismissed from the program at SPC discretion. The duration of disciplinary probation is determined at the time it is imposed. The SPC conducts a vote to authorize the removal of students from disciplinary probation, which is a prerequisite for graduation. The disciplinary probation must include specific assignments or activities for the student to complete.
Once placed on disciplinary probation, a student will be required to attend all lectures and labs and will be required to follow all “at-risk” student policies as outlined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and it will be the students responsibility to set up a meeting with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs within two working days after receiving the SPC letter . Unless specified otherwise, removal from disciplinary probation is determined by the SPC.
Students on probation should not hold any offices within student organizations.
5. Dismissal
A student will face dismissal if they fail to meet the academic and/or conduct standards required for graduation as established by LMU-CDM. Even if a student achieves passing grades in individual courses, if their overall record does not align with LMU-CDM’s performance expectations, the SPC will propose dismissal. This recommendation for dismissal can occur at any point during a student's enrollment in dental school and does not require prior placement on probation. Additionally, the SPC will impose a dismissal in cases where there is unmistakable evidence of a significant violation of LMU-CDM’s guidelines or policies related to personal or professional conduct including but not limited to:
· Documented cheating in any coursework, clinical or preclinical sessions, or examinations
· Intentional misrepresentation of patient information
· Endangering patient care or safety
· Unacceptable behavior in the community
· Breach of the University’s student conduct code
· Violation of local, state, or federal laws
For students who fail two or more courses or rotations in the same year, the SPC will recommend one of the following:
· The student must repeat all or a portion of the entire academic year.
· The student will be dismissed from LMU-CDM.
In addition, once a student starts treating patients, each student is responsible for adhering to the Professional Decorum Standards of the College of Dental Medicine as outlined in the clinical manual. These standards apply in all classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings, including examinations. Breaches of these standards should be reported to the Office of Clinical Affairs by the Group Leader faculty, staff, or other students via email, detailing the involved parties, infractions, and time of occurrence. The Office of Clinical Affairs will inform the student of the number of identified breeches in Professional Decorum that have been awarded. If the student contests the decision, they may discuss the matter with the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs to seek a resolution. If resolution cannot be achieved by the Office of Clinical Affairs, the case will be referred to SPC.