Administrative Policies

General Standards
Specific Policies

General Standards

Students who fail to do acceptable academic work, who are absent in excess, or who conduct themselves in a manner deemed unacceptable to the Florida College of Integrative Medicine may be disciplined up to and including expulsion from the college. A continuing pattern of misconduct, inadequate clinical performance or periodic academic failure may result in suspension or termination from the program.

Academic Honesty
The violation of local, state or federal law as well as FCIM regulations may result in disciplinary action. Students who fail to do acceptable academic work, are absent in excess or who conduct themselves in a manner deemed unacceptable to FCIM may be disciplined up to and including possible expulsion from the college.

Classroom and Campus Conduct
FCIM expects students to contribute to a positive learning environment and to promote a professional standard of study and academic scholarship. Students are expected to respect the rights of the classroom instructors and those of other students and to treat one another as medical professionals and colleagues.

General Standards of Conduct
All students enrolling at FCIM assume an obligation to conduct themselves at all times as responsible members of the college's campus community and in accordance with standards of common decency and decorum. Recognition and respect for the personal and property rights of others and with the educational mission of the college is required.

Disciplinary Procedures
FCIM disciplinary procedures assure each student's right to procedural and substantive due process to safeguard the personal and confidential information concerning the student. These procedures may differ from each court.

Disciplinary actions are taken on the basis of all attendant circumstances. Official notifications are issued to affected parties. FCIM maintains official records of all disciplinary actions and communications. Penalties include disciplinary warning, reprimand and probation with conditions, suspension and expulsion. Details concerning the nature of these penalties and the rights of the accused students are contained in other official FCIM publications that are available at the college.
Penalties for academic misconduct are as follows:

• The grade in the course or in the examination affected by the misconduct may be reduced to any extent, including "Failure."
• An instructor who is convinced that a student in a course taught by him or her or taking an examination given or supervised by him or her has committed and act of misconduct in connection therewith may reduce the student's grade as specified in the preceding statement. The instructor shall notify the student and the Academic Dean of his/her action.
• The student may be suspended or expelled from FCIM for a specific or an indefinite period, the suspension or expulsion can begin at any time.

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Specific Policies

Class Attendance
Students are expected to complete their educational program without interruption other than regularly scheduled vacation periods. Excellent attendance and completion of all courses is expected. If a student must temporarily withdraw, the program must be completed in no more than four-and-one-half years of elapsed time from the first date of enrollment.

Because of the intensive nature of the program, students are expected to attend every class. Students are not entitled to unexcused absences. Policy prescribes that any student missing more than 25 percent of the course meeting hours must be dropped. Any variation from this policy requires that absences be excused and made up under the direction of instructor and/or the Academic Dean. Instructors are required to report all unexcused absences to the administrative office.

Excessive absences that are not made up will result in termination from the program. Unexcused absences that result in a final grade of failure are reported to the Veterans Administration or other agencies that provide financial assistance.

Students are expected to arrive at class on time and remain until the scheduled dismissal time. Classes are typically four hours in length.Students are expected to arrive at class on time and remain until the schedule dismissal time. In addition, faculty has the authority to make class attendance part of the students’ grade. Classes are typical four hours in length. If a student is late to class by 15 minutes or misses any 15 minute portion of class during the four hours that a class is scheduled to meet, she/he will be considered ‘tardy’. Each additional 15 minutes missed is considered an additional ‘tardy’. Four ‘tardies’ will be considered on absence. If the late arrival or departure exceeds an hour, the student can be credited with no more than one-half day's attendance. If a test is missed due to tardiness or unexcused absence, it is considered to be a “failed” test and must be made up as a “retest.” A fee of $50.00 is charged for retests.

Withdrawal
Students who find it necessary to withdraw are requested to notify FCIM in writing or in person and to complete administrative withdrawal procedures that include discussing with an administrator the reason(s) for withdrawal.

Readmission
Any student who is dismissed or withdraws must petition the Academic Dean for readmission. If readmission is approved, additional academic requirements and/or other reasonable conditions may be imposed. Such condition may include, but not be limited to, the repetition of courses, limitation of outside work, limitation of extracurricular activities, and scheduling specifications. Program requirements and tuition in force at the time of readmission will apply.

Leaves of Absence
Students who find it necessary to temporarily interrupt their coursework must submit a written request for a leave of absence to the Academic Dean. Leaves may be granted for acceptable reasons on an individual basis for no more than two weeks, provided that all missed work is made up in accordance with conditions established by the Dean. If the interruption exceeds two weeks, the student must withdraw subject to petition for readmission.

Status Change
Name, address, telephone number, or other status changes must be promptly reported by completing a Change in Status Form in the Administrative Office. Students who receive Veterans Administration benefits must file a VA Change of Name and Address Form with the VA Certifying Official. Change of name notification requires official documentation such as a marriage license.

Notices Via the Mail
Notices or other correspondence addressed to a student at the last address recorded in the records of FCIM and deposited in the U.S. mail shall be presumed to have been received and read by the student.

Dress Code
Students are expected to dress appropriately and to present an appearance of professionalism and good taste when attending classes or clinic or representing FCIM at off-site events.

Personal Hygiene
Students must maintain exceptional personal hygiene and cleanliness appropriate for Oriental medical practitioners. This includes cleanliness of clothing, lab coats and equipment.
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