Medical Student Handbook

Medical Student Education

Student Honor Code

Policy 620.00

Policy Statement

As future physicians and members of The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont (UVM LCOM) community, we seek an environment that facilitates learning in ways that strengthen the values inherent to our profession and are summarized in our Statement on Medical Professionalism. If a diverse medical community is to prosper, its members must attempt to come to terms with their differences. This goal is only possible if we, as students, learn to communicate effectively, respectfully, and with integrity. By holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable for our words and actions, our Honor Code acts as an educational tool allowing us to resolve conflicts by engaging others in dialogues that yield greater awareness for all parties involved.

We acknowledge the importance of integrity, honor, and respect both now and throughout our profession. With this Honor Code, we wish to declare our unconditional adherence to these values:

The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Honor Code

As a member of the medical profession, I will be held to the highest standards of academic, professional, and moral integrity. I vow to uphold the values of the UVM LCOM community by working honestly, responsibly, and with humility, while maintaining compassion and respect for my patients and colleagues. I will not cheat, deceive, or exploit others, nor will I tolerate the actions of those who do.

If I observe persons violating the UVM LCOM Honor Code through academic or professional misconduct (defined below), I have the duty to respond with one or more of the following actions:

• Engage the individual and urge them to acknowledge and rectify the situation as quickly as possible. (Ideally, most cases will be resolved in this manner.) If the individual refuses to acknowledge and correct the violation of the standards of conduct, I will pursue one of the actions below:
• Consult with the Larner College of Medicine Director of the Learning Environment to determine whether I should proceed to the next step:
• Submit in writing my observations and concerns to the Associate/Assistant Dean for Students.

Academic Misconduct is defined as conduct which intentionally misrepresents the academic accomplishments of the student or which jeopardizes the fair evaluation of another’s academic work. This includes but is not limited to: bringing inappropriate materials into an examination room, discussing exam content during testing periods, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, and any acts, or inactions, which constitute a submission of someone else's work as your own without credit or reference.

Professional Misconduct encompasses violations of the ethical standards of the medical profession, infractions of the rules and policies of the UVM LCOM, and the Tenets of Medical Professionalism. This includes but is not limited to falsifying or altering clinical documents or oral presentations and conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.

Applicability of the Policy

All Medical Students

Related Larner College of Medicine Policies

• 610.00 Statement on Medical Professionalism
• 610.10 Tenets of Professionalism
• 625.00 Policy on Standards for Professional Code of Conduct
• 630.00 Positive Learning Environment and Mistreatment Prevention
• 630.10 Procedure for Reporting Violations of the Positive Learning Environment and Mistreatment Prevention
• 690.10 Fitness Committee Procedure and Review of Professional Performance

Related University of Vermont Policies

• 2.3.6 Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drug Use - Students
• 2.4.3 Amorous Relationships with Students
• 2.7.8 Code of Academic Integrity
• 1.6.1 Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
• 2.8.8 Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities
• 2.8.9 Code of Student Conduct
• 4.30.1 Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct
  
• 7.4.11 Equal Opportunity in Educational Programs and Activities and Non-Harassment
• UOP53 Handling and Resolving Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Complaints
• UOP62 Hearing Procedures for Title IX Offenses Involving Student Respondents
• 6.5.5 Misconduct in Research
• UOP52 Discrimination, Harassment, and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Sanctioning Procedures for Student Respondents
• UOP51 Student Organization Misconduct Investigation and Resolution

Related Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Standard(s)

• 3.5 Learning Environment/Professionalism
• 3.6 Student Mistreatment

History

• April 2013 Policy Approved [Student Body]
• 6/18/2013 Policy Adopted/Affirmed [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 3/17/2020 Reformatted [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 8/6/2020 Policy Revised [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 2/16/2021 Policy Edit [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 7/18/2023 Policy Revised [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 12/19/2023 Policy Edit [Medical Curriculum Committee]

Policy Oversight

Associate/Assistant Dean for Students (Director of the Learning Environment)

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