Policies and Procedures

AUC’s policies and procedures are designed to promote an environment that is conducive to study and a high quality of life. Detailed academic and disciplinary policies and procedures appear in AUC’s Student Handbook, Administrative Review and Grievance Procedures, and Sexual Harassment Procedures. These documents are provided to accepted students and are available upon request from the Medical Education Administrative Services (MEAS) or Office of the Registrar.

Code of Ethics/Honor Code

A medical student is embarking on a career that requires high standards of ethical conduct and honesty. The AUC Honor Code was established as a joint effort by faculty and students in order to illustrate the standards of behavior expected of a person pursuing a career as a physician. Students should demonstrate respect for the academic environment by regarding the rights and well being of others including peers, faculty, staff, patients and members of the community. AUC students are expected to personally commit to abide by the Honor Code and to avoid any form of intellectual dishonesty.

Administrative Review & Grievance Procedures

All administrative reviews and grievances are addressed as expeditiously as possible. For information on AUC’s disciplinary procedure, please refer to the Administrative Review and Grievance Procedures manual.

ADMISSION POLICIES:

Rolling Admission

There is no deadline to apply to AUC due to its rolling admissions policy; however, prospective students should plan on completing their application four to five months prior to the term they are seeking. Semester terms begin in September, January and May.

AUC reserves the right to change entrance requirements, application procedures, and admission or academic policies at any time without prior notice.

Advanced Standing

Medical courses taken at recognized accredited medical schools might be considered toward transfer credit on an individual basis. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine does not grant advanced standing to students past the fifth semester, nor for work performed at schools of Podiatry, Allied Health or Chiropractic. Requests for advanced standing must be made during the initial application to AUC and must accompany a letter of good standing written by the Dean of the previous medical school. Credit hours in graduate coursework earned by students applying with a Ph.D. will be considered on an individual basis.

Nondiscrimination

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine reaffirms its policy of nondiscrimination regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, disability or national origin. Questions concerning the above policy should be directed to: Dean of Basic Medical Sciences American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine #1 University Drive at Jordan Road Cupecoy, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles Phone: 011 599 545 2298

Technical Standards

Technical standards, as distinguished from academic standards for admission, consist of the minimum physical, cognitive and emotional requirements to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and participate in medical training and practice. Students applying for admission will be required to sign a declaration that he or she meets AUC’s minimum technical standards as a condition for admission. If it is determined that a student is unable to meet the technical standards set by the University, the student may be dismissed after admission.

Learning Disabilities

The accommodation of extended test time (time plus 1/2) will be offered to students with learning disabilities, who:

College credits must include the following:

It is the student’s responsibility to provide all required documents to AUC as early as possible. The test accommodations will not be offered until the student’s documents are reviewed and approved by the appropriate AUC committee.

A booklet on USMLE required documentation can be obtained from: Test Accommodations Coordinator ECFMG 3624 Market St. Floor 4W Philadelphia, PA 19104-2683

Scheduling

AUC reserves the right to schedule lectures, laboratory sessions, conferences and examinations at any time and on any day of the week, including holidays and weekends.

Religious Accommodation

AUC is committed to diversity and nondiscrimination and recognizes that many religious observances occur on days not designated as university holidays. As such, AUC has provided procedures to accommodate the religious observances of students. Recognition of a student’s absence is only granted upon approval of a formal Religious Accommodation Request. It is the responsibility of each student to file his or her own Religious Accommodation Request in accordance with the time limits set forth in the “Procedures to request religious accommodation section” of the Student Handbook. Every effort will be made for approval of such requests, but there may be denial if it is undue hardship upon the school.

FINANCIAL POLICIES:

Transcripts

Students requesting academic transcripts of grades and courses should submit a Transcript Request Form to:

Medical Education Administrative Services
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Suite 700
Coral Gables, FL 33134

To obtain the form, please call MEAS at 305-446-0600, ext. 1011. Enrolled students may also submit the form directly to the Office the Registrar located on campus. A transcript fee of $10 for enrolled students, $15 for graduates and $30 for withdrawn students will apply.

Accounts Receivable

Any student who pays tuition and/or fees after the first day of class will be considered as having a delinquent account and therefore, will be charged a $100 late fee. By the second week of the term, AUC will notify the delinquent student that he or she must be financially clear by the end of the fourth week of the term. Students who fail to fulfill this condition will be involuntarily withdrawn from enrollment at AUC and will receive a “W” grade on their transcript for courses taken during that term. Standard cancellation and refund policies will apply.

Exceptions to the above policy will only be granted under limited circumstances. Hence, a petition in writing addressed to the Chief Financial Officer Paul R. Suid at MEAS, must be submitted for review and consideration of any requests.

NON-ACADEMIC POLICIES:

Non-Academic Standards of Conduct

A student enrolling at AUC assumes an obligation to conduct her/himself in a manner compatible with the University’s function as an institution of higher education preparing its students to enter into a profession with high standards of conduct. For further information on AUC’s Non- Academic Standards of Conduct, please reference the Student Handbook. Students residing in the Dormitory must comply with the Dorm Rules, available on request from the Housing Office.

Computer Network and E-mail Policies

Please refer to the Student Handbook for policies concerning information technology, AUC’s computer network usage, student e-mail accounts and the Internet.

Campus Smoke-Free Policy

In light of the health hazards associated with tobacco smoke, AUC has adopted a smoke-free campus policy. All students, faculty and staff are expected to adhere to this policy.

Anti-Hazing

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine prohibits students and other persons associated with any AUC organization from engaging engaging in any activity that can be described as hazing. Organizations found to have violated this policy will, at a minimum, be prohibited from utilizing University facilities for an academic term, and at a maximum have its original charter revoked causing permanent removal from the campus. The Director of Student Services ensures that each registered student organization is informed of this policy. Further information about AUC’s anti-hazing policy may be obtained in the Student Handbook.