Academic Standards Policy for the College of Veterinary Medicine
Oregon State University

The College has established several policies related to the DVM instructional program. It is anticipated that these policies will assist the students with their educational development, set and maintain academic standards, and support the veterinary educational process.

1.    Degree Requirements
To be awarded the degree, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, candidates must have passed all required courses in the veterinary curriculum, have a 2.00 or higher grade point average in the veterinary curriculum and have completed the senior paper and Procedures Book requirements. In addition, students must have completed a minimum of five intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic live animal survival surgeries. A total of 233 quarter hours are required for graduation.

2.    Academic Requirements

Academic Standards for Students in Years 1-3
Any student who receives a D or F in any course will be reviewed by the Student Progress Committee (SPC). This committee consists of two faculty members from each department, appointed by the Dean. The Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs is an ex-officio member of the committee. The SPC reviews each student academic problem individually and makes recommendations based on the individual situation.

The role of the SPC includes the following:
a.    Provide counseling and recommend remediation for all students who receive a grade lower than a C- in a didactic, clinical, or elective course.
b.    Meet with the instructor of any marginal student and come up with a plan for remediation.
c.    Identify any non-academic factors or extenuating circumstances which may be influencing the performance of marginal students.
d.    Make recommendations concerning academically-deficient students as to remediation, dismissal, or reinstatement.
e.    Review plans for remediation submitted by academically-deficient students, meet with the student and go over the plan for remediation, or explain the reason for actions that are taken.

Any student who receives an incomplete in a core course may be suspended from the program until removal of the deficiencies as outlined by the course leader. The course leader will notify the Dean=s Office when the incomplete is to be removed. The incomplete must be removed by the beginning of the next academic year.

A student may make a request to the Associate Dean to withdraw for a one year leave of absence for personal reasons if he/she is in good academic standing (i.e., GPA of 2.0 or above and passing all current courses). If the student is not in good academic standing, his/her request will be referred to the SPC for recommendations to the Dean.  

Grading, Years 1-3 (Non-clinical Rotations):
Grading in a particular course is the prerogative of the instructor/coordinator. The grading policy of the instructor for a particular course will be stated in the course syllabus and include whether the instructor will use the letter grade system (A, B, C, etc.) or the +/- (A, A-, etc.) system. If attendance is part of the grade, it must be stated in the syllabus. The course coordinator in consultation with instructors in the course will be responsible for assigning final letter grades according to the scale and method stated in the syllabus.

Students will be informed of their progress in the course at intervals throughout the term. This may take the form of providing a scale when test grades are posted for the course. It is the responsibility of the student to seek counsel from the instructor if their cumulative grade in a course is a C or less during the term. Any student having an academic or course related problem should discuss the problem(s) with the instructor and/or the coordinator in charge of the course.

Only the course coordinator in collaboration with the course instructor(s) shall make changes to final letter grades. Written permission (i.e., letter, memo, or e-mail) from the course coordinator must be received by the Dean=s Office before grade changes will be made.

Grading and Academic Standards for Year 4
Grading of clinical rotations is the prerogative of the instructor(s) and course coordinator. Basis for assignment of grades will be provided in each individual course syllabus, and will be considered as a written contract with the student when the syllabus is distributed. It is the option of the instructor(s) to provide written or verbal examinations as grading criteria. Attendance and participation will also determine some portion of the final grade. The proportionate weight of these and additional objective and subjective criteria will be determined by the course coordinator administering the course. Because attendance and participation are important elements of the grade in any clinical rotation, individual instructors will be responsible for notifying a student by mid-block, or when it becomes apparent to the instructor such a deficiency will result in a failing grade. It becomes the student=s responsibility to meet with the instructor(s) and coordinator to discuss the deficiency and create a plan to rectify the problem. Any student having an academic or course related problem should discuss the problem(s) with the instructor and/or the coordinator in charge of the course.

Any student who receives an incomplete or withdraws from a required clinical rotation will be reviewed by the Student Progress Committee. Completion of the program deficiencies, as determined by the course leader and the Student Progress Committee will be required prior to graduation.

Note: These regulations are in addition to the University=s policies and regulations on academic standards. Students are reminded that there is a University academic appeals procedure and are referred to the OSU Student Handbook for details.

3.    Professional Code of Conduct    
This Code of Conduct is presented to professional students who will one day become members of the veterinary profession. This profession has imposed upon itself standards of professional behavior and conduct designed to protect the public from fraudulent practice.

The intent of the Code of Conduct is to identify professional behavior as well as specific acts or behaviors that are deemed unprofessional conduct for students in the DVM educational program of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This list has been derived from the experiences of faculty, staff and students of the CVM and is not intended to abridge, supersede or modify any other university document. A violation of the Code of Conduct will be considered grounds for dismissal. The Admissions and Scholastic Petitions Committee will review all violations and make recommendations to the Dean.

  • Students will treat each other, faculty and staff with respect and courtesy.
  • Students will come prepared for class on time. Disruption of class by loud, obnoxious, disrespectful behavior or leaving class prior to completion of a lecture is considered unprofessional behavior.
  • Students will be honest in all matters with all people associated with the educational program and their colleagues.

Examples of unprofessional behavior include but are not limited to the following:

  • Giving or receiving aid on an examination, except as specifically permitted by the instructor.
  • Verbal or physical abuse of faculty, staff, patients, clients or students, or knowingly publishing or circulating false information concerning any fellow students or faculty member.
  • Knowingly producing false evidence against any other person or giving false statements or charges in bad faith against any other person.
  • Removing an examination from the examination room without the professor's consent.
  • Plagiarism
  • Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of application materials or forms used by the CVM for admissions, evaluation of performance or evaluation of conduct.
  • Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of clinical records, health conditions, vaccination certificate, prescriptions or other blank forms used in the practice of veterinary medicine.
  • Abuse, neglect or improper care of any animal.
  • Conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or on any charge involving moral turpitude (moral depravity).
  • Engaging in any facet of the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery prior to graduation unless under direct supervision of a legally licensed veterinarian. These practices shall be defined according to the various state practice acts.    

4.    Honesty in Academic Work
The administration of the classroom rests with the instructor. Immediate action should be taken when evidence of academic dishonesty comes to the instructor's attention. The instructor may impose any grade penalty up to and including an "F" grade after informing the student. The instructor must report the incident and the action taken to the Department Head and then to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. The report should be made on the standard form, Report of Academic Dishonesty which is forwarded to the Office of Student Affairs. Grade penalties imposed as a result of academic dishonesty may be appealed by the student.

Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

  • Receiving or giving unauthorized aid on examinations or any other work which is required to be accomplished individually. In general, students may not work together on graded course work without the specific permission of their instructor. If students are unsure of the limits of permissible collaboration, they must seek clarification from the instructor.
  • Using unauthorized materials during examinations.
  • Denying others the opportunity to prepare for upcoming exams.
  • Plagiarism, defined as the unacknowledged use of another=s words or ideas.
  • Using false excuses to obtain extensions of time deadlines, or providing false information of fabricated documents or data to the University.
  • Altering a graded exam and submitting it for re-grading.
  • Falsifying medical records or any document relating to the treatment, care, health or disposition of any laboratory animal or patient in the College.
  • Willfully neglecting or mistreating any laboratory animal or patient in the College.
  • Stealing or misappropriating any item or making unauthorized use of any item, public or private at the College of Veterinary Medicine, or other departments on campus, for example: drugs, books, instruments, microscopes, etc.

The students in the College of Veterinary Medicine are on an honor system during examinations. They are asked to sign and abide by a A Student Honor Code Agreement. The faculty may or may not proctor examinations but are available to answer questions and assist with the evaluation process. If a student knows or suspects another student has committed acts of academic dishonesty, s/he is expected to report the incident to the instructor and the Associate Dean. After discussing the allegation with the accused, the instructor and the Associate Dean will decide if further action needs to be taken.

5.    Class Attendance
In order for students to obtain the full value of the veterinary courses, attendance at all lectures and laboratories is expected. If a student needs to be gone, s/he should check with the instructor in charge of the course. An instructor may use attendance as part of he grade. The following are the attendance policies of the College:

Attendance at Examinations and Required Exercises of the DVM Program Years 1-3 (revised, September, 2007)
Attendance at examinations, including final examinations, and all other required exercises is mandatory except for medical or family emergencies or military or legal duties (subpoena or jury duty). Excused absences for these exceptions are granted providing the student notifies the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs in advance or as soon as possible following an emergency. Other absences may be excused as outlined in the next paragraph.

Attendance at professional meetings including the SAVMA Symposium and scientific meetings where the student is presenting a paper is encouraged, but does not automatically constitute an excused absence. Students may make a request to the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs for an excused absence to attend a professional meeting. This request must be made at least 6 weeks in advance. The Associate Dean will consult with faculty members teaching the course that would be missed and determine whether the schedule could be changed to accommodate the student request.

An unexcused absence from an examination or laboratory will result in the student not being allowed to make-up the examination or laboratory. The student may lose a letter grade or receive a zero for the exam or lab at the discretion of the course director. If the exam or lab is required to pass a course, an unexcused absence may result in failing the course.

Grading and academic standards for Year 4
Revised, Sept., 2007
Students in both elective and required clinical rotations are allowed to have no more than 0.5 days of excused absence per 1-week block with a maximum of 5 excused days of absence during the senior year. The following are considered EXCUSED absences:

1.    Job interviews
2.    National or State licensing boards
3.    A medical or family emergency.
4.    Scheduled medical appointments
5.    Military or legal obligation such as subpoena or jury duty.

Other absences may be excused as outlined in the next paragraph.

Attendance at professional meetings including the SAVMA Symposium and scientific meetings where the student is presenting a paper is encouraged, but does not automatically constitute an excused absence. Students may make a request to the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs for an excused absence to attend a professional meeting. This request must be made at least 6 weeks in advance. The Associate Dean will consult with faculty members in charge of the rotation that would be missed and determine whether the student request can be accommodated.

Other personal circumstances necessitating absence from the block will be considered UNEXCUSED unless, at the discretion of the course leader and duty clinician to which the student is assigned, it is deemed appropriate to classify the absence as EXCUSED. Except for emergencies, students must complete a Request to be Absent Form (available in the dean’s office) for ALL anticipated absences. The form should be completed and returned to the dean’s office at least one week in advance of the absence. Except in emergencies, if not submitted at least 1 week prior to the absence, the absence will automatically be considered UNEXCUSED.

When a student has greater than 0.5 days of excused absence/1 week of block time or ANY unexcused absence the student will be expected to make up that time along with any after-hours emergency time associated with the block. If, in the opinion of the course leader, absences were such that the student’s learning opportunities were sufficiently reduced by the absences, the student may be required to repeat the entire block. Until absenteeism is made up the student shall receive a grade of INCOMPLETE.

Other personal circumstances necessitating absence from the block will be considered UNEXCUSED unless, at the discretion of the course leader and duty clinician to which the student is assigned, it is deemed appropriate to classify the absence as EXCUSED. Except for emergencies, students must complete a Request to be Absent Form (available in the dean’s office) for ALL anticipated absences. The form should be completed and returned to the dean’s office at least one week in advance of the absence. Except in emergencies, if not submitted at least 1 week prior to the absence, the absence will automatically be considered UNEXCUSED.

When a student has greater than 0.5 days of excused absence/1 week of block time or ANY unexcused absence the student will be expected to make up that time along with any after-hours emergency time associated with the block. If, in the opinion of the course leader, absences were such that the student’s learning opportunities were sufficiently reduced by the absences, the student may be required to repeat the entire block. Until absenteeism is made up the student shall receive a grade of INCOMPLETE.

6.    Accreditation
All Veterinary Colleges are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Federal Department of Education requests the AVMA Council of Education require all veterinary colleges to have a locked box accessible for student comments. Both positive and constructive criticism relative to the college may be deposited with or without signature at any time. These comments will be forwarded to the AVMA Council of Education on a regular basis. The suggestion box is located in the CVM library.

7.    Other Policies
Name tags are required and the first will be provided at no cost to the student. White, knee-length, front-button, laboratory coats are required for fall, winter, and spring laboratories. An exception is that coveralls may be used in the spring quarter's gross anatomy laboratory. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association gives each student a gift of a formal white lab coat and name badge the White Coat Ceremony and Dinner at the First-Year Orientation.

The College faculty has a dress code for the Senior Year. We ask that each of you purchase two pair of Big Dutch bib overalls or coveralls ― Pella Products, Inc., 835 Broadway, PO Box 324, Pella, Iowa 50219; telephone 800-832-6225; fax 641-628-9797.

If, as a class, you would cooperate and order the same style and color (green) in quantity, there is a discount available from Pella Products, Inc. Their catalog is in Purchasing. You do not have to buy from this company, but the color, quality, and style must be the same. For further information, please contact Dr. Huber.