The principle guiding the university regulation of student conduct will be that of responsible student freedoms. Students will be given the greatest possible degree of self-determination commensurate with their conduct and the consequences of their actions, in accordance with the stated purpose of Lincoln Memorial University.
Students are required at all times to maintain high standards of private and public conduct on campus and at university-sponsored events. To lie, cheat, steal or break one's honor under any circumstances is recognized as intolerable conduct. Violation of other accepted rules of behavior, whether or not covered by specific regulations, subjects a student to disciplinary actions. Claims of ignorance of commonly accepted rules or specific regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for violations.
Routine administrative regulations are enforceable by responsible university administrative units, i.e., LMU Finance Office, Office of Security, Director of Housing, Dean of Faculty and Students, Resident Directors, and Resident Assistants. University officials reserve the right to bring a charge against any student through the Associate Dean of Faculty, and Students with due process observed. Any student who presents a clear and present danger to other members of the university community or who impedes the academic process will be subject to appropriate administrative action up to and including suspension on an interim basis pending a hearing by the appropriate judicial system, which may result in a permanent suspension. Parents and/or legal guardians financially responsible for their LMU student will not necessarily be notified of any violations of the Code of Student Conduct unless the student has given written permission.
Students have certain guaranteed rights as well as responsibilities as enrolled students at LMU. The guarantee of these to all students depends upon all students' understanding and participation, and promotion of these rights. The following list of rights and responsibilities of the typical full-time student constitutes the Code of Student Rights and Conduct. The rights of a student may vary according to the student's circumstances, individual status, residential, nonresidential, etc.). Each university student will have the following rights and responsibilities:
- to enjoy and promote the freedom of an open and unprejudiced, full campus life experience without regard to race, national origin, creed, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, or religion.
- to attend classes and receive proper instruction in courses while completing assignments to the best of one's abilities and resources.
- to use facilities, buildings and grounds as designated for student use while being cognizant of and abiding by the policies of LMU and the laws of Claiborne and Knox County, the State of Tennessee, and the United States of America.
- to have access to one’s financial, academic and/or disciplinary files while being cognizant of one's financial, academic, and disciplinary status with the university.
- to register early for the next academic term by meeting one's financial obligations to the university by paying tuition, fees and assessed fines in a timely manner.
- to receive a student handbook/catalog at the beginning of one's enrollment to better one's understanding of the university and of academic programs.
- to participate in the structured evaluation of instructors each year by honestly completing evaluations during the designated times.
- to interact with faculty and administrators by seeking their advice when needed and responding to them when called upon to do so.
- to expect the campus and its facilities to be maintained to promote cleanliness and safety while using the campus in such a way to promote cleanliness and safety.
- to receive and review a Student Handbook each academic year to better one's understanding of the rules and regulations of LMU.
- to drive and park on the campus by registering one's vehicle and understand and abide by traffic policies.
- to receive proper notice and due process in judicial situations as designated in the judicial procedures by checking one's mail and answering all summonses.
- to expect an environment free from any form of harassment by following the appropriate channels to report any such harassment.
- to be represented in Student Government Association by voicing opinions and ideas to SGA members and voting in campus wide elections.
- to join and participate in any or all student organizations for which one qualifies for membership by joining and participating in those student organizations which correspond with one's interests and abilities.
- to participate in intramural and other student activities and cultural events according to the policies regarding each event by watching and listening for information concerning programmed activities and attending those that correspond with one's interests and abilities.
- to benefit from all services provided by LMU to students at no charge or at a reasonable user fee by becoming aware of and making use of services available to students as desired or needed.
- to reside in a campus residence hall, if abiding by the policies of the hall and campus, upon availability by living on-campus if unmarried, under 21 years of age and not residing with a parent or legal guardian within a 65-mile radius of LMU.
- to maintain and expect from all others a mature and professional bearing of citizenship in all social and academic environments on or off campus.
- to maintain and expect from all peers a constant high aiming standard of personal academic and social integrity.
“We, as students of Lincoln Memorial University–College of Dental Medicine, believe there is a need to support and cultivate the high ethical standards of honor associated with the dental hygiene and dental community.
This Honor Code intends to make explicit minimum standards to which we, as a community, will hold our colleagues and ourselves accountable. Personal and academic integrity are the foundation of the Code, with particular focus on respectful communication among peers.
We are aware that integrity, accountability, mutual respect, and trust are essential to the dental hygiene and dental profession, and we will actively support and work to achieve these ideals throughout our professional career. The environment that we create is critical to this endeavor.
As members of our community, we realize that our actions affect those around us and the quality of the community.
This Code should supplement, but not supplant, our personal, religious, moral, and ethical beliefs, nor is this Code meant to supersede any policies, regulations, codes, statutes, or laws that exist within the Lincoln Memorial University, Tennessee state, or federal jurisdiction.”
Establishing and maintaining the highest concepts of honor and personal integrity during dental hygiene and dental school are critical to our training as physicians. It is our responsibility to actively support these standards and it is reasonable to expect that our colleagues will do the same.
1. Respect for Patients
We will take the utmost care to ensure patient respect and confidentiality. As CDM students, we will demonstrate respect for patients through appropriate language and behavior, including that which is non-threatening and non-judgmental. Patient privacy and modesty should be respected as much as possible during history taking, physical examinations, and any other contact, to maintain professional relationships with the patients and their families. It is also important that we be truthful and not intentionally mislead or give false information. With this in mind, we should avoid disclosing information to a patient that only the patient’s physician should reveal. As students, we should always consult more experienced members of the dental team regarding patient care, or at the request of the patient. As CDM students we understand that patients we see are not under our care, so we will not initiate orders until after graduation and in an appropriate post-graduate training. We will also never introduce ourselves or allow patients to carry the mistaken impression that we are dental hygienists or dentists rather than dental hygiene or dental students.
2. Respect for Faculty, Staff, Colleagues, Hospital Personnel, and Community
We will exhibit respect for faculty, staff, colleagues, and others, including hospital personnel, guests, and members of the general public. This respect should be demonstrated by punctuality and proper professional courtesy in relationships with patients and peers, prompt execution of reasonable instructions, and deference to those with superior knowledge, experience, or capabilities. In addition, we should make every effort to maintain an even disposition, display a judicious use of others' time, and handle private information maturely. We should express views in a calm, respectful and mature manner when in disagreement with another individual, understanding that a mutual agreement will not always be reached. Confrontations of such nature will be carried out in a private location as soon as time permits.
3. Respect for Self
We realize that a diversity of personal beliefs serves to enrich the dental hygiene and dental profession. Therefore, we encourage the upholding of personal ethics, beliefs, and morals in both daily conduct and our practice of this Code. Understanding conflicts may exist that interfere with our personal beliefs, we are encouraged to be proactive in communicating these situations.
4. Respect for Proper Documentation
The written dental record is important in communication between health care providers and effective patient care; it is also a legal document and is available for patient review. As such, it is crucial that we maintain the integrity of patients' dental care through accurate reporting of all pertinent information about which we have direct knowledge. Written medical documents, including electronic correspondence pertaining to patients and their care must be legible, truthful, complete, and accurate to the best of our knowledge and abilities. To avoid an accidental breach of confidentiality, we will not discuss patient care in common areas. Appropriate medical and/or personal information about patients should only be shared with health professionals directly involved or for educational purposes. Any communication of patient information in the course of educational presentation will always be void of any patient identifying information and with the permission of the attending physician(s).
5. Respect for Laws, Policies and Regulations
Laws, policies and regulations at the university, local, state, and federal levels benefit the community and are not to be disregarded or violated. Any matters under the jurisdiction of local, state, or federal laws are explicitly deemed “outside the scope” of this Code.
We are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all scholastic and clinical work. As students, we are obligated to develop our medical knowledge and skills to the best of our ability, realizing that the health and lives of the persons committed to our charge could depend on our competence. Due to the teamwork inherent in the dental profession, we will work together and utilize all available resources.
A. Examinations
1. As students, we must demonstrate honor and integrity during examinations.
2. We understand that examinations are meant to reflect our individual achievement. Cheating during examinations is unethical and is defined as doing any of the following without authorization:
- a. Looking at the answers written by another student during an examination.
- b. Communicating with another student about topics that might help to answer a question during an examination.
- c. Referring to notes or textual matter during an examination.
- d. Violating any other policy of examinations, including possession of a cell phone during an examination.
3. During examinations, students have an obligation to maintain a non- disruptive atmosphere.
4. We will take care not to communicate specific information regarding an examination to a classmate who has not yet completed that examination during that academic year.
5. At the end of each examination, we will provide a signed statement that affirms our conduct was in accordance with the Code.
B. Other Academic Work
- In deference to the scientists, doctors, and patients who have shared their knowledge and experience for the betterment of dental hygiene and dental learning, we have a responsibility to not intentionally misrepresent the work of others nor claim it as our own.
- During dental hygiene and dental training we will be provided with communal instructional material that will greatly aid our learning. We will therefore make every effort to protect and preserve these resources for the use of future peers and classmates.
Our behavior and speech should demonstrate our respect for the diversity of our colleagues. We should avoid disparaging remarks or actions with regard to a person's race, age, gender, disability, national origin, position, religion, or sexual orientation. We will strive to create an environment that fosters mutual learning, dialogue, and respect while avoiding verbal, written or physical contact that could create a hostile or intimidating environment. Since our actions reflect upon us, our chosen profession, and our College, we must adhere to our standards of Professional Conduct when within, representing, or in any way impacting our community.