Ethical and Honor Code Violation Procedures

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Preliminary Meeting

In the event that either mediation of a personal grievance did not reach resolution and or the violation was not a personal grievance, a preliminary meeting will be held. The preliminary meeting will be informational and investigative in nature. The ADSAA will discuss with the student the accusations and the student’s options. The student will be given the Ethics and Honor Code Charge and Process form to sign, indicating the selected option. The student’s options are as follows:

  1. If the student accepts responsibility for any/all violation(s), the ADSAA will decide if the matter will be resolved either by the ADSAA with an administrative decision or referred to the SPC for resolution at the discretion of the ADSAA. The student has two (2) working days to notify the ADSAA of their decision to accept or not accept responsibility for any/all violation(s).
  2. If the student does not accept responsibility for any/ all violation(s), the matter will be referred to the PCC and/or individuals designated by the ADSAA for investigation. This investigation is not a determination of guilt, but rather the gathering of additional information to determine if there is enough to substantiate the violation. The student will have 48 hours from the meeting with ADSAA to select either appearing before the SPC or the PCC to continue to the resolution process. After an option is selected, the ADSAA will have five (5) working days to inform either the SPC or PCC of the violation(s). The option to offer the option to appear before the PCC shall be at the discretion of the ADSAA, who reserves the right to refer any matter directly to the SPC.

 

Resolution procedures

The student will be provided with an opportunity to meet with the chosen committee (SPC or PCC, See below). The goal of the meeting is to gain insight into why the violation occurred and allow the student an opportunity to discuss their actions. This meeting will allow the SPC or PCC to make an informed recommendation for sanction up to, and including, dismissal to the Dean. The student should come prepared to explain their situation and what they would do to correct their situation. Other than the student, Procedural Advocate, the recording secretary, necessary individuals invited by the committee, and the committee members, no other individuals will be present at the meeting.

If the student accepts responsibility and the ADSAA elects to send the case forward, the SPC will hold a meeting within five (5) working days of notification. The attendance of the student shall be at the discretion of the SPC, but the student may elect to not attend if not required by the SPC. The SPC shall then deliberate and make a recommendation for sanction in writing to the Dean of LMU-CVM within five (5) working days for the final decision. The student will be notified of the LMU-CVM Dean’s decision within five (5) working days of receipt of the Committee’s recommendation for sanctions.

If the student in question does not accept responsibility. The student will appear before the  determined committee (SPC/PCC) within five (5) working days. The committee will then make one or more of the following sanction recommendations to the dean.

 

SPC or PCC Guidance for Resolution

Once the committee has been presented with all material, and the student has been given the opportunity to speak on their own behalf and present information in support of their position, the committee must then make a recommendation. The discussion will be held in a private conference with only the members (voting and non-voting, including a recording secretary) in attendance. The voting members of the committee will make their recommendation with the understanding that only a preponderance of evidence is required for action to be taken to reach a recommendation. The committee should base their recommendation based on the following:

  1. What are the relevant circumstances in this case?
  2. What is an appropriate resolution in this case?

After an initial recommendation is reached, based on a majority of votes, the committee may adjourn for one working day to allow for individual and private reflection. The committee will then reconvene and either reaffirm its position or reach a new recommendation (again only requiring a majority of votes) on an alternative recommendation.

 

Forwarding of Recommendations of Resolution

All recommendations by the SPC or PCC will be delivered to the Dean in writing within five (5) working days.

The SPC will forward their recommendation to the LMU- CVM Dean for the final decision.

The PCC will forward their recommendation to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions who affirms, recommends an alternative, or refers to the SPC for further consideration before rendering the recommendation to the LMU-CVM Dean withing five (5) working days.

The Dean of LMU-CVM will have five (5) working days upon receiving the recommendation for resolution to make the final decision. Decisions are reported in writing to the student, with copies sent to the Chairs of the PCC and SPC, and ADSAA.

 

Sanctions

The following are administrative sanctions that may be imposed: (1) a warning, (2) probation, (3) suspension, (4) dismissal, (5) grade sanctions, including but not limited to grade reduction, failure of course or assignment (6) and any other administrative sanction deemed necessary and proper. All disciplinary sanctions are to be based on the nature of the specific behavior and the degree of the violation.

1. The following are developmental sanctions that may be imposed in lieu of or in addition to an administrative sanction: (1) an educational activity, (2) loss or restriction of privilege, (3) mandatory education and training in diversity, empathy, anger management, resiliency, or topic related to the student’s violation, and (4) any other developmental sanction deemed necessary and proper. Successful completion of developmental sanctions within the specified period of time will be required to continue enrollment at LMU-CVM.

 

Probation

The specified period of time for probation is determined by the nature of the specific behavior and the degree of the violation. In addition to the imposed sanctions, the following shall always be included with the sanction of probation:

  1. Student will be required to meet with the ADSAA on a regularly scheduled basis, at its discretion, to review compliance with the policy and procedures of the Ethics and Honor Code.
  2. To take advantage of opportunities offered through counselors, tutors, and other programs for development.
  3. Not hold any office in a student organization, nor attend local or national meetings that interfere with class attendance or exam preparation (studying) while on probation.

 

Suspension

Suspension is defined as the immediate removal from the student’s class due to violations pertaining to the Ethics and Honor Code. This immediate removal is coupled with recession to a new class as previously described for Academic Deficiencies. A Suspension may include additional administrative and developmental sanctions that shall be applied based on the nature of the violation. Unless specified, successful completion of all of the imposed sanctions will be required before the student is allowed to return to the LMU-CVM program.

 

Responsibilities of the Professional Conduct Committee Members

To the Community:

The PCC’s responsibilities to the community include: educating students and faculty about the Code, providing information and literature about the Code and assisting in maintaining awareness of the Code.

Committee members will also undergo appropriate training prior to their becoming active members of the Committee through meetings with the Office of Academic Affairs.

Within the Committee:

The PCC is responsible for interpreting the Code. The Committee will consider each case individually and should be sensitive to both the community and the individual involved when making decisions.

 

Membership of the Professional Conduct Committee

1st – 3rd year PCC members vs 4th year PCC members

  • 1st – 4th-year students sit on the committee: 1 representative student from each cohort and the SAVMA Executive Board PCC liaison. The SAVMA PCC liaison will serve as recording secretary and vote in case of a tie.
  • 1st – 3rd-year students will preside over all instances brought to the PCC, 4th year students will preside only for instances that involve 4th year students.

Appointment Process

  • Students will be appointed to the PCC as outlined by the SGA and SAVMA guidelines.
  • Once students have been appointed to the PCC as 2nd-years, they will remain on the PCC for the rest of their student matriculation.
  • SGA and SAVMA bylaws reflect that if a member is asked to be removed from the PCC during their time on the committee, that another representative will have to be appointed on a case by case basis.

Quorum

  • A quorum of 2/3 of the PCC is required to be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.
  • Instances that involve 1st – 3rd-year students will be reviewed by 1st – 3rd-year PCC members and a quorum of 2/3 is required.
  • Instances that involve 4th-year students will be reviewed by 1st – 4th-year PCC members and a quorum of 2/3 is required.
  • If PCC member(s) are asked to recuse themselves, then the quorum would still be 2/3 of the voting members but the SAVMA Executive Board PCC Liaison could be asked to fill in as a voting member to complete the quorum.
  • If the PCC is unable to reach a quorum of 2/3, the SAVMA Executive Board PCC Liaison can be given the authority to ask an elected member of the SAVMA Executive Board to sit on the PCC for a case as an “alternate.”

 

PCC Member Recusal

  • If a PCC member were to recuse themselves because they are a close friend, roommate, significant other, etc. to the person of interest but are not directly involved in the case being presented, they are allowed to attend the meeting and contribute to the discussion. However, the recused member would not be allowed to vote in any decisions.
  • If a PCC member is recused because they are a close friend, roommate, significant other, etc. and the member is directly involved in the case being presented, they would also be recused entirely, including but not limited to the ability to attend the meeting, contribute to the discussion, or vote on any decision.

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions is an advising member of the Professional Conduct Committee and will be made aware of all reports prior to the commencement of the proceedings.

 

Ratification of the Code

Members of the PCC may ratify this Code by a two-thirds majority vote and approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, with final approval residing with the Dean of LMU-CVM. All incoming classes will be subject to this Code and will sign the pledge during their orientation process.

 

Amending the Code

This Code may be amended through an annual proposal and voting process, as written in the student governance documents (SCAVMA and SGA). Amendments to the Code will be accepted by a three-quarters majority vote of the PCC and approval of the Dean of LMU-CVM.

 

Special Circumstances

  • Cases involving substance abuse/mental health that do not involve an honor code infraction will be handed over to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions without further action by either the PCC or SPC.
  • Any situations the committee deems to be outside of its purpose will be forwarded to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions.
  • The Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions reserves the right to provide administrative oversight to any case including committee selection.