Lapses, Violations & Consequences

The above behavioral and procedural standards provide guidelines as to expectations.  Not meeting these standards could result in either a professionalism lapse, or a professionalism violation.

A professionalism lapse is any behavioral lapse (any failure to meet professional and behavioral standards (see II. above) that is not egregious or repetitive in nature, or any procedural lapse (unmet Program requirement see III. above).

A professionalism violation is an egregious failure to meet the behavioral or procedural standards outlined above.  These may include but are not limited to academic integrity (see section II, #7. above), failures to meet the behavioral standards outlined above that may endanger or cause reasonable apprehension of harm, and/or significant disruptions to the learning environment.  In addition, repeated professionalism lapses over time may result in a violation (see section IV, B. below on Consequences of Professionalism Lapses).

A.  Procedure for Resolution of Alleged Unprofessional Behavior

In general, if an incident of unprofessionalism occurs during a BA/MD class, the instructor of record’s syllabus is the first avenue of action for resolving professionalism or disciplinary matters.  However, if this first avenue is exhausted without satisfactory resolution, the instructor may refer the matter to the Program as outlined below.  With regards to academic dishonesty, the Program requests that BA/MD instructors report all instances of academic dishonesty to the Dean of Students and the Program using the template linked here.

Members of the Combined BA/MD community (students, staff, or faculty), who observe (“Observers”) behavior that represents a possible failure to meet expected professional and behavioral standards, are encouraged (when appropriate) to address the issue directly with the individual who may have failed to meet the standards.  Attempts to resolve issues at the lowest level should always be made and informal attempts to resolve issues should be documented and documentation retained by the Observer.

In the event that an Observer cannot resolve the issue directly or if the issue becomes egregious or repetitive, they should refer the matter to the Program by completing a Professionalism Incident Reporting Form and submit it to the A&S Program Manager.  The A&S Program Manager will consult with the CCSP co-chairs to determine whether the alleged behavior, if true, could rise to the level of a professionalism violation.  The A&S Program Manager and the Co-Chairs will consider a number of factors, including but not limited to whether the allegations include: harm or the reasonable apprehension of harm, dishonesty or malicious intent, and whether the allegations refer to a first-time or repeat offense.

If the Co-Chairs determine that the allegations, even if true, do not rise to the level of a professionalism violation or lapse, then the incident is considered to be resolved and a record will NOT be kept in the student’s file.

If the Co-Chairs determine that the allegations, if true, rise to the level of a professionalism lapse but not a violation, the A&S Program Manager will follow up with the student according to the procedure outlined below in Consequences of Professionalism Lapses: Failures to meet professional and behavioral standards (1-10) that are not egregious or repetitive in nature.

If the alleged behavior may rise to the level of a violation, the matter will be referred directly to E&P CCSP.

B.  Consequences of Professionalism Lapses

Behavioral lapses (see Section II: Failures to meet professional and behavioral standards that are not egregious or repetitive in nature)

1^st report of unprofessional behavior

• Student will receive official warning notification via email. This documentation will be retained in Program records, but will not be a finding of responsibility.
• Student will attend an informal conversation with the A&S Program Manager person to discuss the allegation and possible remedies.

2^nd report of unprofessional behavior

• Student will receive official notification via email.  This documentation will be retained in Program records but will not be a finding of responsibility.
• Student will attend an informal conversation with the A&S Program Manager to discuss the allegation and possible remedies.

3^rd report of unprofessional behavior  (Fall, Spring and Summer)

• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P.  (See BA/ MD Student Grievance & Due Process Procedure)

4^th report of unprofessional behavior  If received 4 reports of unprofessional behavior over the course of the undergraduate Program

• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P.  (See BA/ MD Student Grievance & Due Process Procedure)

If received an additional lapse after meeting with the CCSP subcommittee after 3^rd or 4^th above

• Individual meeting with the A&S Program Manager.
• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P for a professionalism violation which may lead to suspension or released from the BA/MD Program.

The record of these lapses will NOT be reported to the School of Medicine Admission Committee unless the repeated lapses rise to the level of a violation.

procedural Lapses (see Section III, failure to meet Program Standards: to the timely meeting of student responsibilities related to Program deadlines and requirements)

1^st lapse

• Receive official notification via email.
• May require an informal conversation with the Program depending on the context.

2^nd lapse

• Receive official notification via email.
• May require an informal conversation with the Program depending on the context.

3^rd lapse in one academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer consequences)

• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P.  (See BA/MD Student Grievance & Due Process Procedure)

4^th lapse over the course of the undergraduate Program

• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P.  (See BA/MD Student Grievance & Due Process Procedure)

If received an additional lapse after meeting with the CCSP subcommittee after 3^rd or 4^th above

• Individual meeting with the A&S Program Manager.
• Student will be referred to CCSP E&P for a professionalism violation which may lead to suspension or released from the BA/MD Program.

The record of procedural lapses will not be reported to the School of Medicine Admissions Committee unless the repeated lapses rise to the level of a violation.

C.  Consequences of Professional Violations

Professionalism violations may result in consequences, which may include, but are not limited to:

• Receiving a written warning or sanction
• Completing an education prescription involving reflective writing
• Forfeiting professional or academic opportunities
• Undergoing special training
• Academic probation or suspension
• Dismissal from the BA/MD Program
• Ineligibility ot transition to the School of Medicine

Violations may also affect the students’ status in the Program and/or future requests of such as, but not limited to: curriculum petitions, BA/MD undergraduate scholarships, study abroad experiences and/or expense coverage, Leave of Absence petitions, etc.

Professionalism violations form part of the student’s record and are reported to the School of Medicine Admissions Committee for review to ensure that students meet all of the eligibility requirements, which include professional standards and other requirements of the UNM SOM. This may lead to ineligibility to transition.

For the Procedure for Resolution of Alleged Professionalism violations, see Due Process policy.