Role of SPC
- The Student Progress Committee (SPC) at Lincoln Memorial University, College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is the designated body responsible for the review, evaluation, and determination of Student academic progress and professional conduct. The SPC ensures that all Students meet the academic, clinical, and professional standards required for advancement and graduation and that each graduate demonstrates the competence, judgment, and ethical behavior necessary for the safe practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.
- The SPC operates under the authority of LMU-CDM and in accordance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and applicable regulations. The Committee’s decisions are based on a comprehensive review of the student’s academic record and professional performance and are intended to uphold the integrity of the educational program and protect patient safety and public welfare.
- The SPC has the authority to review and make determinations regarding Student progression, including promotion, remediation, academic probation, leave of absence, program expansion, reprimand, suspension, dismissal, and graduation eligibility. The SPC also reviews licensure examination performance, compliance with institutional policies, and may recommend Students for honors and graduation awards.
- Each student is evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with LMU-CDM policies and standards. The SPC considers the totality of the student’s academic performance and professional conduct, including course grades, clinical and competency evaluations, faculty assessments, and documented concerns. The Committee may exercise professional judgment and discretion, including consideration of mitigating circumstances. All decisions are made through a formal voting process.
- A student may be determined not to have met the requirements for progression or graduation, even if all required coursework and examinations have been completed, if the SPC identifies deficiencies in overall academic performance, clinical competence, or professional conduct. This includes concerns related to consistency of performance, ability to provide safe and effective patient care, or failure to meet institutional standards of professionalism.
- The SPC relies on official academic records and evaluations submitted by course directors, clinical faculty, and other authorized evaluators, including course grades, clinical competency assessments, and professionalism evaluations etc. The SPC does not review or adjudicate grade appeals, which are managed through the Office of Academic Affairs.
- The SPC does not investigate allegations of academic dishonesty or professional misconduct. Such investigations are conducted by the Ethics and Honor Code Committee or other designated institutional bodies. Upon completion of an investigation, confirmed findings are referred to the SPC, which determines the appropriate academic or disciplinary action.
- When reviewing any case related to a Student, the Student Progress Committee (SPC) reserves the right, at its discretion, to meet with the student and/or any relevant individuals whose input may be necessary to fully evaluate the case. The SPC may also determine that a decision can be made based on available documentation without a formal meeting.
- For Students attending any SPC meetings, the following are prohibited unless otherwise authorized, in writing, by the Dean for Faculty and Students: (1) electronic recording of the meeting; (2) invitation of legal counsel or uninvited individuals.
Composition of SPC and Voting Process
The SPC consists of 8-10 voting members from the LMU-CDM faculty, appointed by the Dean of LMU-CDM. One member serves as the Chair. A quorum is achieved when 51% of the voting members are present. Decisions are made by most of those present. The SPC Chair votes only when needed to achieve quorum, break a tie, or create a tie to allow for further discussion.
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
The SPC maintains strict confidentiality regarding all Student academic and professional records, deliberations, and outcomes. Confidentiality applies to all individuals involved in the SPC process, including SPC members, invited faculty, staff, witnesses, and Students participating in proceedings. Individuals outside of the LMU community are not permitted.
Information related to SPC decisions is shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational or administrative need to know, consistent with institutional policies and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This may include only relevant administrators, course or clinical leadership, and the student’s assigned advisor or mentor, who will be informed of the outcome as appropriate.
All individuals participating in the SPC process are required to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to the start of the meeting. Faculty, staff, witnesses, or SPC members who refuse to sign the confidentiality agreement will be reported to the Dean of the College of Dental Medicine for appropriate action and will be excluded from participation in SPC proceedings. Students who fail to sign the confidentiality agreement within the required timeframe will forfeit their opportunity to appear before the SPC and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program. Failure to comply with confidentiality requirements may result in additional administrative or disciplinary action in accordance with institutional policies.
The SPC is also committed to maintaining fairness and impartiality in all proceedings. All SPC members, including voting and ex-officio members, are required to disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and must recuse themselves from participation in any case where such a conflict exists. Conflicts of interest may include personal, professional, or prior relationships with the student that could reasonably impair objective judgment.
Any individual with a conflict of interest must not participate in the review, discussion, interview, or voting related to the student and will be required to leave the meeting during those portions of the proceedings. Faculty members may provide relevant information regarding a student’s performance prior to recusal when appropriate.
Students will be provided, in advance, with the names of SPC members and any potential participants involved in their case. Students are responsible for reporting any perceived conflicts of interest to the SPC Chair prior to the start of the meeting. The SPC Chair will review the concern and determine whether recusal is warranted. Failure to report a conflict within the specified timeframe may result in the SPC proceeding without further consideration of the concern.
All confidentiality and conflict of interest procedures are implemented to ensure a fair, unbiased, and legally compliant review process that upholds the integrity of the academic program and protects Student rights.
Events Resulting in Review by the SPC
A Student may be referred to SPC for a comprehensive review of academic performance, professional conduct, and overall progression under the following circumstances:
- Failure to achieve a passing grade in a course or examination
- Failure to meet required competencies in didactic, preclinical, or clinical components
- Failure to complete required clinical competency evaluations (CCE) within established timelines
- Documented concerns regarding academic performance or professionalism
- Receipt of an incomplete grade that is not resolved within the designated timeframe
- Registrar-approved course withdrawal (“Registrar Drop”) or failure to complete course requirements
- Confirmed violations of academic integrity or professionalism standards
The SPC will review the student’s record and determine appropriate academic or disciplinary action. The Committee reserves the discretion to determine whether a student interview is required as part of the review process.
The SPC Actions
The SPC’s chair, or whoever is acting on his/her behalf, will notify the LMU-CDM Dean in writing of the recommendation for any action or sanction. The Dean will review the SPC’s recommendation and may affirm, amend, return the recommendation to the SPC for reconsideration, or override the recommendation in accordance with institutional policies. The final decision of the Dean will be communicated in writing to both the Student and the SPC Chair.