All students enrolled in any school or program at UCLA are required to adhere to the the Student Conduct Policies of the UCLA General Catalog 2011. In addition to this, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine students are required to read and adhere to the following:

A medical student in his or her role as an apprentice physician is bound by rules of conduct known as the Medical Code of Ethics. The principles are outlined in the Medical Student Honor Code which is under the jurisdiction of the Medical Student Council. Students should conduct themselves at all times in a manner appropriate to the high calling of the medical profession to which they are aspiring. Lecture room courtesy requires arriving for classes on time and treating all lecturers with respect. Questions should be directed to the lecturer at his/her discretion. Lectures and lab periods are to be attended unless a person is ill or has been excused. It is the duty of each student to inform the Office of Student Affairs when he or she cannot attend class. In the clinical years, the course chairman should be notified directly as well as the Office of Student Affairs.

Handling Problems of Conduct

The UCLA Student Conduct Code of Procedures and the UCLA Interim Student Conduct Policies and Student Discipline Procedures in Cases of Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Exploitation or Intimidation are the basis for the Medical School Procedures.

Disciplinary problems are to be differentiated from academic problems. Academic problems are cases of unsatisfactory progression or performance in academic and clinical courses, and may include incompetent, unprofessional, or unethical behavior. The review process for academic problems involves a Promotion Committee consisting of Course Chairs and Student Affairs Deans. Nonacademic student conduct problems are addressed here.

Some examples of nonacademic student conduct problems subject to disciplinary action are:

1. dishonesty, such as cheating, seeking or giving unpermitted aid on examinations, papers or other assigned work, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University;
2. financial aid infractions;
3. forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records, keys, or identifications;
4. theft of, conversion of, or damage to or destruction of, any property of the University or property of others while on University premises;
5. unauthorized entry to or use of University properties, equipment, or resources;
6. violation of University policies, campus regulations, or rules governing residence in University property;
7. physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person
8. on University property or in connection with official University functions;
9. sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature shall constitute sexual harassment when:
   1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of instruction, employment, or participation in other University activity;
   2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making academic or personnel decisions affecting an individual; or
   3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive University environment.
10. (In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment, consideration shall be given to the record as a whole and to the totality of the circumstances, including the nature of the sexual advances and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred.)
11. verbal or written abuse, threats, harassment or intimidation against any person on University property or in connection with official University functions or University sponsored programs which intentionally or unreasonably:
    1. interferes with that person's academic efforts; or
    2. creates a hostile, intimidating, exploitative or demeaning environment which interferes with that person's participation in official University functions or University sponsored programs, personal safety, University employment, or residence within University-owned housing; or
    3. stigmatizes a person on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, or disability.

    (In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes a violation of this section, consideration will be given to the record as a whole and to the totality of the circumstances, including the nature of the forum in which the alleged incidents occurred and the medium used.)

    (Not every act that might be offensive to an individual or group necessarily will be considered a violation. For harassment to be actionable, it must be sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of (the victim's) academic achievement or create an abusive educational environment.)

    (By electing to attend the University, each student accepts the responsibility to respect the

    diversity of backgrounds and beliefs which characterize this multicultural academic community. In this context students should understand that the University will not accept ignorance, thoughtlessness, or "tradition" as an excuse for harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation or intimidation.)

12. any other noncompliance with University rules.

The procedures for administration of problems of nonacademic student conduct are:

1. Refer to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs, or his/her delegate, one of the Assistant Deans for Student Affairs, may hear accusations directly, or the accusations may come to a Student Affairs Dean by way of the Honor Council. If misconduct is alleged to have occurred, a Student Affairs Dean shall meet with the student.

   At the meeting with the student, a Student Affairs Dean shall:

   1. ascertain that the student has received a copy of these Procedures, a copy of the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students, Parts A and B; a copy of pertinent sections of the UCLA Student Conduct Code of Procedures; and, where applicable, a copy of UCLA Interim Student Conduct Policies and Student Discipline Procedures in Cases of Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Exploitation or Intimidation.
   2. inform the student that while the contents of the interview may be used in subsequent hearings, it shall remain confidential within the University unless that right is waived in writing by the student; and
   3. make available to the student copies of all documents relevant to the case.

   Unless that Student Affairs Dean determines that there is no reason to proceed, the student shall be given a written statement of charges by that Student Affairs Dean no later than five working days after the meeting. Preferably, this is done in person, but certified mail may be used. Mailing such notice to the local address appearing on the student's most recently filed registration packet or, if undeliverable at that address, to the student's permanent address of record, shall give rise to a presumption that notice has been given. The written statement of charges shall include a brief statement of the factual basis of the charges; the University policies or campus regulations allegedly violated; and, if appropriate, that the student has seven working days from the date appearing on the letter of notification to contact the Student Affairs Office for the purpose of scheduling an additional counseling interview with that Student Affairs Dean or requesting that the case be referred to the Medical School Student Conduct Committee.

   If a Student Affairs Dean concludes that there is sufficient evidence to sustain a finding of culpability, and the student admits culpability, that Student Affairs Dean may resolve the case and impose a sanction. Possible sanctions are described in the UCLA Student Conduct Code of Procedures.

2. Refer to Medical School Student Conduct Committee (MSSCC). In the alternative, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs may call upon the MSSCC to hear the case. The student, likewise, may choose an MSSCC hearing instead of counseling. Should the case be referred to the MSSCC, all documents pertaining to the alleged charges shall also be given to the MSSCC.

   The MSSCC shall be comprised of four members of the Honor Council and four members of the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC). The FEC members are selected by the Chair of the FEC, who also shall chair the MSSCC and shall vote only where the vote will affect the outcome. An MSSCC meeting quorum shall consist of six members. The role of the MSSCC is to hear the case, deliberate, and present findings and recommendations to the student and the Dean of the Medical School.

   At the time the Chair of the MSSCC receives a copy of the statement of charges, he/she shall promptly set a time and place for hearing the case and allow the student an opportunity to present his/her assessment of the charges. In order to allow the student adequate time to prepare, the MSSCC should set the hearing no sooner than fifteen working days after the student is given a written statement of the charges (or 20 working days if the statement of charges was mailed to the student). Preferably, the MSSCC will meet within 15-25 working days of receiving the charges. If the student fails to appear for the hearing, the case may be heard without the student being present.

   The student shall be advised that he/she is entitled to bring an advisor or attorney, with whom he/she may confer, to the hearing of the MSSCC. To exercise the right to be accompanied by an attorney, the student must notify the Chair of the MSSCC of his/her intent to do so at least seven working days in advance of the Committee's scheduled hearing. When the student is represented by an attorney, the School of Medicine shall also name an attorney to be present. Advisors and attorneys may counsel the student but may not cross-examine witnesses or members of the MSSCC. The student, as well as the MSSCC, may invite witnesses who have personal knowledge concerning the specific charges to present relevant information and evidence. The MSSCC should not promise anonymity to anyone presenting complaints about students. The student shall have the opportunity to confront and cross-examine all witnesses presented by the University. The opportunity to cross-examine witnesses shall also be afforded the members of the MSSCC. No inference shall be drawn from the silence of the accused. The standard of proof is that of a preponderance of the evidence.

   Minutes of the MSSCC proceedings will be kept. A tape recording of the proceedings of the MSSCC and its deliberations will be made. The student may, at his/her own expense, arrange to have a copy of the recording of the proceedings, but not the records of the other deliberations of the MSSCC, made available.

   Within five working days after conclusion of the MSSCC meeting, the Chair shall submit a report to the student, with copies to the Dean of the School of Medicine and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. All members of the MSSCC shall have access to the report. The report shall include:

   1. Findings as to each of the charges, including the facts relating to the alleged misconduct.
   2. The sanctions, if any, recommended to be imposed.
3. Appeal to the Dean of the School of Medicine. In the event that the student is found culpable, the student has the right to appeal to the Dean of the School of Medicine. The appeal must be in writing and must include the original notice and all materials to date, plus a signed statement by the student explaining why he/she is appealing the decision. This shall be submitted within 10 working days from the date appearing on the report of the MSSCC.
4. Decision of the Dean of the School of Medicine. The Dean, representing the Chancellor, shall review the case and recommended actions. The Dean may seek additional advice from the UCLA Student Conduct Committee. In the case of a Drew/UCLA student, the Dean may seek the advice of the Dean of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. The student will be notified of the Dean's decision within 15 working days from the date the appeal is received.
5. Appeal to the Chancellor. Sanctions imposed by the Dean will be reviewed only if the student makes a written appeal of the Dean's decision (1987 UCLA Student Conduct Code of Procedures, Part C, Par. 1). Such appeals will be made directly to the Chancellor, with review by the UCLA Student Conduct Committee only if the Chancellor so directs. In such cases, the UCLA Student Conduct Committee review shall be limited to consideration of those issues which are specified by the Chancellor in his/her letter to the Committee (1987 UCLA Student Conduct Code of Procedures, Part B, Par. 10).  It is the intention of these procedures that a case should take no longer than 70 working days from the initial meeting between the student and a Student Affairs Dean occasioned by an allegation of misconduct to the disposition of the case by the Dean of the School of Medicine.