Student Policies and Procedures

Conference Attendance

Students are only allowed to attend one conference per year of not greater than three consecutive days using the planned excused absence policy. Those conferences that qualify for consideration for excused absence will be determined yearly by the Vice Dean from each campus.

Certain non-conference, national meetings will be excluded from this conference policy. Representatives from the Student Government Association who are required to attend greater than two meetings per year and other student officers who attend these national meetings will be expected to follow the excused absence policy.

Only students who do not have any conditional or failing grades can request an excused absence for such a conference and/or national meeting provided an absence from class does not interfere with the academic work of other students and does not result in the student missing a class assignment that cannot be remediated (as determined by the Division Chair and Associate Dean).

For more information about VCOM’s Conference Attendance Policy (contained in VCOM’s Excused Absence Policy), please see Policy #S003.

Information Technology and Copyright

Students at VCOM must observe the rights and privileges of copyright holders, obey the United States Copyright Act, and honor the integrity of the internal network systems of Virginia Tech and other affiliated network systems. Any intentional misuse of the information technology system will result in loss of privileges and may result in a behavioral sanction. Student Internet and email access on both campuses is monitored for student downloads of shared files such as music, videos, etc which are in violation of copyright laws is done by federal, state and local agencies. If a student is reported to VCOM as having performed an illegal download, the student will be issued a warning and be required to present their computer to the IT Department staff who will verify shared/copyright questionable files are removed. A second violation will result in an honor code reporting plus temporary loss of computer access privileges up to seven days. Students need to be diligent to not violate digital and non-digital copyright laws. If a student loses their computer access they may not be able to complete their academic requirements, which could jeopardize their continued progress at VCOM.

Policies on the VCOM Policy on the Use and Misuse of Digital Copyrighted Materials, can be found in the Human Resources section of the VCOM website, and are distributed to all faculty, staff and students annually.

Fundraising

All fundraising endeavors for student organizations or for any other purpose organized by a student(s) must have prior approval by the Associate Vice President for Student Services on the Virginia Campus or the Director of Student Services on the Carolinas Campus. No student may sign any contract or make any commitment on behalf of VCOM. Students may not use the VCOM name, logo or likeness in any official capacity or on printed merchandise or documents without approval from the Office of Student Services.

Insurance Requirements

Health Insurance

Students are required to purchase and maintain health and life insurance during their enrollment at VCOM. VCOM’s minimum requirements for health insurance are:

Deductible Maximum: $2,500
Lifetime Maximum (suggested): $1,000,000
Co-Pay: Students should seek no higher than 30% co-pay with insurance covering at least 70% up to $5,000 maximum and 100% payment by insurance after $5,000 is met.
*If you are eligible to be covered under your parent’s insurance plan and the deductible exceeds $2,500, please see the VCOM Class website for more information.

Students are responsible for their own personal health insurance coverage. The coverage should extend to any injury that occurs to them at the clinical sites. A student who receives a needle stick should follow the procedures of the institution in which they are working and should use their private insurance for any care provided.

Liability Insurance

Students currently enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing at VCOM and who are expected to graduate with the degree Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine are covered by VCOM's liability insurance coverage on approved rotations and required educational activities. This is only true when the care is performed as a part of the rotations required in the curriculum and/or when under the supervision of faculty.

Students will be subject to the institution's (assigned training site) rules and regulations and the institution will have the right to terminate any student whose health or performance is detrimental to patient well-being. The institution will retain full responsibility for its patients and will maintain administrative and professional supervision of the student at the institution in regard to the operation of the institution and the direct and indirect care of patients.

International Students

Students on F-1 visas must maintain the requirements for their visa status as set forth by the Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services which includes remaining enrolled full-time and not accepting unauthorized employment. Please direct any questions to the Office of the Registrar on the respective campus.

Publications and Media Relations

The printing, distribution of publications, or the use of the name of the institution by students, faculty, or staff requires approval of the Dean. Student publication requests may be submitted to the Associate Vice President for Student Services (Virginia Campus) or the Director of Student Services (Carolinas Campus). Please submit requests 14 days in advance. Requests for the use of Virginia Tech’s or Wofford College’s logos (including the Hokie Bird or Terrier) must also be made through these same channels and may require a longer lead time. Since those logos are the copyright of those schools, approval is less likely to be granted. VCOM’s name, logo or seal may not be used, amended, or altered without approval of the VCOM’s Director of Website and Publications.

Social Media

Release of Third Party Information

Transcripts from previous institutions attended and other documents submitted during the admissions process to VCOM are the property of VCOM and will not be returned to the student or forwarded to any other third party.

VCOM will not forward the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners’ (NBOME) Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) testing results to any other third party.

Social Media Policy

The purpose of this policy (see Policy #S009)is to provide clarification on how to best enhance and protect personal and professional reputations of VCOM’s students when participating in the social media environment. VCOM has also developed Social Media Guidelines (see Policy #S009 and U006); we encourage you to refer to these guidelines when on the various social media sites.

Student Officer Positions

Students must be in good academic standing (no failing grades, a minimum 2.75 GPA is required, a 3.0 GPA is strongly recommended) and good behavioral standing to hold an officer position with a VCOM student organization or committee. Students who are on academic probation, not making good academic progress, who do not pass COMLEX, and/or who are found guilty of an honor code issue are not eligible to hold an officer position. Officers with such stipulations after being elected will be reviewed for continued eligibility to continue to hold office and may be required to resign. The class president and vice president for the third year class must be in a region within one hour of the main VCOM campus for which they are representing. Students who will not be in a close by region should not run for a class officer position. Individual student organizations may have an academic requirement above these minimum limits.

Typically students may not hold more than one officer position at a time. If a student desires to run for a second officer position (including an official committee), he/she must seek approval from the Associate Vice President for Student Services (both campuses) before doing so.

VCOM Student Policies and Procedures Handbook