Criminal Record Report
All LMU-CVM students must have an updated criminal record report from the university-approved vendor before starting veterinary school. The Criminal Record Report may be updated prior to starting the clinical year. These reports are purchased at the expense of the student. Failure to comply with this mandate will result in denial to matriculate or an enrolled student being withdrawn from his/her present program. The student will sign a disclosure and release form indicating knowledge of this policy and their belief that they do not have any criminal history that would disqualify them from clinical experience or patient contact. The appropriate forms are available through the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions.
Vaccination Requirements
Students matriculating to LMU-CVM must provide proof of vaccination uploaded through the University approved vendor by the Semester 1 deadline communicated by administration upon matriculation. Students who desire an exemption from any of the required vaccines must complete and upload an LMU-CVM Vaccination Waiver; otherwise students will not be allowed to start the LMU-CVM program.
Required vaccines include rabies*, varicella, Tdap, and MMR. Additional vaccines may be required if the student lives in University Housing.
- Rabies vaccination must include at least an initial 2-dose series following the CDC schedule recommendation. If this was completed more than one year prior to the beginning of the CVM Semester l, proof of protective titer or booster vaccination must be completed and submitted.
- Students not providing proof of rabies vaccination, titer, or a completed waiver prior to the start of the first year will NOT be able to participate in live animal labs, which may lead to course failure.
Prior to Semester 5, students must provide proof of a protective rabies* titer (at least 1 year after initial series) or booster vaccination (between 3 weeks and 3 years after inital series). Students will submit documentation of protective titer or booster vaccination through the university approved vendor.
- Students must have a recently signed (within 2 years) the LMU-CVM Vaccination Waiver on file if they do not want to receive immunizations.
- Failure to provide proof of a protective titer, booster, or waiver prior to the start of semester 5 will result in the student NOT being able to participate in live animal experiences and may result in final grade repercussions, potentially leading to course failure.
*Rabies vaccination requirements and interpretation of titers are based on current CDC recommendations.
Student Health Insurance
Veterinary students must have health insurance coverage. Health insurance is provided through Lincoln Memorial University. Students are automatically enrolled in the program. Students with existing coverage must submit documentation through the insurance waive-out portal of the LMU United Healthcare website at least 30 days prior to beginning of the academic year.
Accident/Incident Procedures
In the event of an accident/incident, a Student Accident/Incident Report Form must be completed and filed with the ADSAA. This form can be found in the CVM Student Services Organization in Canvas. For accidents that occur on Clinical Rotations, please see Clinical Year section of this handbook, and contact the Associate Dean of Clinical Relations and Outreach.
Technical Standards and Essential Functions Policy
Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) recognizes the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree as a broad degree requiring that the holder has acquired general knowledge and skills and shows an ability to apply these in a reasonably independent and autonomous manner in all fields of veterinary medicine. To earn a D.V.M. degree, a student must complete the clinical component, which involves direct care of actual patients as well as communication with clients, colleagues, and veterinary medical professionals.
In accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE), outcomes of the LMU-CVM program must be measured, analyzed, and considered to improve the program. Student achievement during the pre-clinical and clinical curriculum and after graduation must be included in outcome assessment. New graduates must have the basic scientific knowledge, skills, and values to independently provide entry-level health care at the time of graduation. The AVMA COE requires that graduating students will have attained the following competencies:
- Comprehensive patient diagnosis (problem-solving skills), appropriate use of clinical laboratory testing, and record management
- Comprehensive treatment planning, including patient referral when indicated
- Anesthesia and pain management, patient welfare
- Basic surgery skills, experience, and case management
- Basic medicine skills, experience and case management
- Emergency and intensive care case management
- Health promotion, disease prevention/biosecurity, zoonosis, and food safety
- Client communications and ethical conduct
- Critical analysis of new information and research findings relevant to veterinary medicine.
The LMU-CVM has established technical standards and essential functions required to complete the DVM degree which provide a framework to balance several competing interests including (1) the rights of candidates; (2) the safety of candidates, their colleagues, and veterinary patients; (3) the significant clinical and professional skills training component of the LMU-CVM curricula; (4) the requirements imposed upon the LMU-CVM for accreditation by the AVMA-COE; and (5) the conditions for licensure of LMU-CVM graduates. For purposes of this policy, the term Candidate refers to candidates for admission, enrolled students who are candidates for promotion and graduation, and visiting students.