Conduct Standards
Students at the Medical University of South Carolina are expected to be knowledgeable of the policies and procedures set forth in the University Bulletin and the Student Handbook (Web site: http://www.musc.edu/studenthandbook/Web_handbook/hbook_index.html). Further, students engaged in research at the University are responsible for maintaining the integrity of all research projects in accordance with the policies, rules, and guidelines of the University, outlined in the Medical University Faculty Handbook (Web site: http://www.musc.edu/facsen/). In addition, if a student produces tangible products from these research endeavors, s/he must comply with the Intellectual Property policy of MUSC as described in Section 10.3 of the Faculty Handbook (Web site: http://www. musc.edu/facsen/).

Criminal Background Check
Protection of vulnerable patient populations is of utmost importance to the Medical University of South Carolina, its academic programs, faculty, and students and to clinical affiliation sites where students complete clinical requirements for completion of an academic program. Many clinical sites and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations require criminal background checks for employees and students who provide patient care.

The Colleges of Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy require that all matriculating students have a criminal background check completed. Positive criminal record findings will be reviewed by the college and MUSC Legal Counsel for appropriate action and reporting.  Details of the guidelines and procedures can be found at http://www.musc.edu/academic in Memorandum AA-2004-01-students, Criminal Background Checks for Incoming Students.

Identification
A validated MUSC identification card must be worn at all times while on campus, including registration periods, and may be required by faculty for admission to classes. A student may be prohibited from registering and/or from attending class without a validated identification card. The Office of Public Safety issues all identification cards.

It is each student’s responsibility to keep his or her identification and/or social security number confidential. It is unethical to seek the identification and/or social security number of any other student.

University Property
Students are held financially responsible for breakage and damage of University property.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Guidelines
In the event that a natural or man-made disaster (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, fires, chemical spills, explosions) poses a threat to student health or safety, students should follow the instructions of the University, city, county, and state authorities. When such events disrupt or have the potential to disrupt scheduled classes and clinical rotations, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, in consultation with key academic leaders and department heads, will decide whether to cancel or delay starting times of scheduled classes and clinical rotations and will notify the MUSC Office of Public Relations to coordinate and make the appropriate announcements.

The responsibility to know the University’s guidelines and to be prepared for a disaster rests solely with the student.The entire “Disaster Preparedness and Response Guidelines” is published and distributed in the MUSC Student Handbook and on the Web at http://www.musc.edu/studenthandbook/Web_handbook/hbook_index.html.

Student Policy for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention and Intervention
The Medical University of South Carolina recognizes that substance abuse and addiction are preventable and treatable diseases, and encourages students to seek help through Counseling and Psychological Services or another appropriate facility for any alcohol or other drug abuse problem.

The University prohibits the illegal use or the abusive use of alcohol or other legal drugs on University property or at events which utilize the University’s name. In accordance with state and federal laws, MUSC also strictly prohibits the use, possession, manufacture, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia by any MUSC student.

The entire “Student Policy for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention and Intervention” is published and distributed in the MUSC Student Handbook and on the Web at http://www.musc.edu/studenthandbook/Web_handbook/hbook_index.html.

Sexual Harassment Policy for Students, Residents, and Trainees
It is the policy of the Medical University of South Carolina to prohibit any form of sexual harassment. The offender will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. This policy is in keeping with federal and state guidelines. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or written pictorial material of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment under the following conditions:

1. Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of progress;
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for progress decisions affecting such
3. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for progress decisions affecting such individuals;
4. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.

The entire “Sexual Harassment Policy for Students, Residents, and Trainees” is published and distributed in the MUSC Student Handbook and on the Web at http://www.musc.edu/studenthandbook/Web_handbook/hbook_index.html.

Conduct Review
The Medical University of South Carolina ultimately delegates the governance, implementation and maintenance of college honor policies to the students of each college. While there will be ample faculty and administrative support where necessary, the students are to be independently responsible for the reporting, investigation and hearing of all alleged cases of misconduct, honor policy violations and breaches of ethics. The University permits and encourages the drafting, amending and implementation of dynamic individual college honor policies. However, each college honor policy must incorporate and not contradict the College Honor Policy Criteria outlined herein.

Students will participate in the honor policies on both the university and college level through the University Honor Council and the individual college honor councils. The American public has charged health care professionals and researchers with the responsibility of the ethical practice of their respective professions. Similarly, the administration and faculty at the Medical University charge the students with the responsibility for the ethical pursuit of their academic degrees.

Student Arrest Policy
Should a student be arrested or formally charged with any infraction of the law other than minor traffic violations and misdemeanors, the offending student shall report such violation or changes to his or her respective Dean within two university/college business days of the offense.  The Dean will determine an appropriate corrective or punitive action and grant the student an opportunity to be heard.  After consultation of the Dean with the Provost, the decision of the Dean will be final.  Details of the guidelines and procedures can be found at http://www.musc.edu/academic in Memorandum AA-2007-01-students, Student Arrest Policy.