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Changes & Edits

Changes to the Student Handbook sometimes happen after the handbook is posted. In such cases, except when the changes do not change the meaning of the policies involved (changing contact info, typos, and other minor inconsequential changes), those changes will be chronicled here.

 

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2024-2025 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

JUNE 2024: added newly created policy CAMP SA-57 Involuntary Leave of Absence Policy, effective August 1, 2024. 

AUGUST 2024: Added "Speech & Expression" section to the Policies and Expectations webpage. Moved three policies to this section.

AUGUST 23, 2024: Added new policy CAMP SA-58 Student Freedom of Expression and Assembly to Student Handbook in MCN system.

2023-2024 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

MAY 2023: All Student Handbook policies have been reviewed and updated as needed.

JUNE 2023: CAMP SA-53 Annual Health Assessment and Immunizations Policy - Updated COVID-19 immunization information under PROCEDURES/Annual Health Assessment (changed from ‘Required’ to ‘Strongly Recommended’).

JUNE 2024: Updated Title IX contact person and location information.

2022-2023 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

CAMP SA-45 Leave of Absence Policy and F95496 Leave of Absence Form - changes made to policy and form regarding 'Returning from Leave': Students must complete a Health Assessment with the Student Health Office prior to returning from a Leave of Absence.

 

CAMP G-02 Financial Aid Policy added to Student Handbook in General Policies section.

 

CAMP SA-56 Chosen Name: New policy approved and added to Student Handbook. 

Students may want to use a name that is different from their legal name. To accommodate this preference, the University has established a policy that allows students to indicate their chosen first names to the University community, even if they have not changed their legal name.

2021-2022 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

CAMP SA-55 Personal Pronouns:  new policy approved and added to Student Handbook.

Student Code of Conduct Article VIII:  Appeals:  

  1. A student dissatisfied with said determination and/or sanction levied by the Coordinator of Judicial Affairs, University Judicial Board or Committee on Academic Honesty may appeal by filing a written statement with the Dean of Student Affairs within 5 business days of receipt of the sanction (changed from 10 business days to 5 business days).

CAMP SA-45 Leave of Absence policy:  Revised policy to include updated language, and added link to Leave of Absence form.

CAMP SA-54 Weather-related Course/Clinical Cancellations Policy: new policy approved and added to Student Handbook.

CAMP SA-13 Commencement Participation and Degree Conferral policy changed to Commencement Participation, Degree Conferral, and Regalia policy.  Academic Regalia/Adornments section added to policy.

CAMP SA-21 and CAMP SA-24 have been combined to make one new policy --  CAMP SA-53: Annual Health Assessment and Immunizations Policy.

2020-2021 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

No substantial changes made. Policy tracking moved to MCN system.  Policies will now be reviewed every two years.

2019-2020 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

No substantial changes made.

2018-2019 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

College of Nursing

Removed all information regarding RN to MS program

Under College of Nursing, Promotion and Academic Status: removed all information on the Charles Ross Memorial Award

Under College of Nursing, Academic Policies, Residency Requirements, the following changes/edits have been made:

Old Version

To be considered for a degree from the College of Nursing at the Upstate Medical University, the student must be matriculated in a program. A minimum of 30 credit hours for the BS degree, a minimum of 48 credits for the RN to MS program (BS/MS degrees) a minimum of 36 credit hours for the MS degree, and a minimum of 20 credit hours for Post-Master to DNP must be taken at Upstate Medical University, and credit by examination cannot be used as a residency requirement. The 36 hour minimum for the MS degree includes the requirement that Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology for Advanced Practice, Clinical Pathophysiology, Advanced Nursing Research, and all clinical courses required for the degree must be taken at the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University. The certificate in Nursing Education has a 6 credit hour residency requirement. Students are expected to complete the program in the required period of time and in sequence; exceptions may be considered by petition to the office of the Dean.

New Version

To be considered for a degree from the College of Nursing at the Upstate Medical University, the student must be matriculated in a program. A minimum of 30 credit hours for the BS degree, a minimum of 36 credit hours for the MS degree, and a minimum of 20 credit hours for Post-Master certificate must be taken at Upstate Medical University, and credit by examination cannot be used as a residency requirement. The 36-hour minimum for the MS degree includes the requirement that all clinical courses required for the degree must be taken at the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University. No clinical courses will be accepted for transfer. Students are expected to complete the program in the required period of time (5 years) and in sequence; exceptions may be considered by petition to the office of the Dean. The certificate in Nursing Education has a 3-credit residency requirement. Education Evaluation must be taken at Upstate CON.

College of Health Professionals

Under College of Health Professionals, Promotion & Academic Status, Academic Standards for Physician Assistant Students, the following has been added:

Academic Probation – Physician Assistant Studies

PA students will be placed on Academic Probation if their Cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 and greater than or equal to 2.33.  Students on academic probation for more than one semester will be considered for dismissal.  When on academic probation, students MUST meet with their academic advisor to assess academic progress.

Graduate students whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.33 will be recommended for dismissal.

If a student is placed on Academic Probation:

  • They will receive a letter from the Registrar. This letter serves as a written warning regarding the student’s academic status
  • If during the subsequent semester, the student’s overall GPS continues below 3.0, the student will be referred to the Student Evaluation Committee for possible academic dismissal.

Additionally, the Academic Promotions Committee may place students on profession behavior probation for unprofessional conduct and/or clinical incompetence.  See College of Health Professionals Unprofessional Behavior Policy: http://www.upstate.edu/student-handbook/health-professions/philosophy.php.

College of Medicine

Under College of Medicine, Academic Progress, Review and Appeals Committees, Student Progress Committees, the following has been added:

Procedures of Student Progress Committees

  1. A student who has received two deficiencies throughout medical school or about whom the Student Progress Committee has specific concern will meet with the chair of the Student Progress Committee (or another designated faculty member in the case of conflict of interest). The student will be advised regarding success strategies, resources, involvement in extra-curricular activities and time to degree completion.

Under College of Medicine, Academic Progress, Review and Appeals Committees, Academic Review Boards, the following has been added:

Composition of the Academic Review Board:

  1. Course Directors, Clerkship Directors and Site Directors are ineligible to serve on the Academic Review Board.

Under College of Medicine, Academic Progress, Review and Appeals Committees, Definitions, the following has been added:

Fair and formal process for taking any action that may affect the status of a medical student: The use of policies and procedures by any institutional body (e.g., student promotions committee) with responsibility for making decisions about the academic progress, continued enrollment, and/or graduation of a medical student in a manner that ensures: 1) that the student will be assessed by individuals who have not previously formed an opinion of the student’s abilities, professionalism, and/or suitability to become a physician; and 2) that the student has received timely notice of the proceedings, information about the purpose of the proceedings, and any evidence to be presented at the proceedings; his or her right to participate in and provide information or otherwise respond to participants in the proceedings; and any opportunity to appeal any adverse decision resulting from the proceedings. (Element 9.9)

College of Graduate Studies

Under College of Graduate Studies, Academic Evaluation and Promotion, the following changes/edits have been made:

Old Version

The grading system includes passing grades of "A", "A-", "B+", "B", "B-", "C+", "C", "C-", "D+", "D", "D-", "S" and failing grades of "F" and "U", "XF" and an "Incomplete". "F" and "U" are failing grades and are included in the student's GPA. The Incomplete grade, as used in this College, may be changed to another grade at the discretion of the instructor, or it can remain on the record as a final grade indicating incomplete work. The Incomplete carries no credit.

New Version

The grading system for the College of Graduate Studies includes passing grades of "A", "A-", "B+", "B", "B-", "C+", "C", "S" and failing grades of "F" and "U", "XF" and an "Incomplete". Anything below a "C" is considered failing and therefore will be calculated as an "F".  "F" and "U" are failing grades and are included in the student's GPA. The Incomplete grade, as used in this College, may be changed to another grade at the discretion of the instructor, or it can remain on the record as a final grade indicating incomplete work. The Incomplete carries no credit.  Note: All 700 level research courses in the College of Graduate Studies are considered Incomplete until the student graduates, at which time the Incomplete will be changed to an "S" for satisfactory.

Under College of Graduate Studies, Graduation Requirements, Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree, the following changes/edits have been made:

Old Version

A total of 90 credit hours is required for the Ph.D. degree. A minimum of 30 credit hours is devoted to research and a minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in didactic course work.

New Version

A total of 90 credit hours is required for the Ph.D. degree. A minimum of 30 credit hours is devoted to research and a minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in didactic course work. The remaining 30 can be completely through any combination of didactic and/or research credits.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLO):

Old Version

Upstate Medical University has a core set of institutional learning outcomes (ISLOs) that describe a set of core abilities all students will demonstrate during their time at Upstate.  The ISLOs prepare students enrolled across all Upstate programs for careers in the health and biomedical sciences, a direct link to the university’s mission.  The ISLOs were updates and approved by university leadership, the four college deans and faculty governance groups in 2017.

New Version

Upstate Medical University has a core set of institutional learning outcomes (ISLOs) that describe a set of core abilities all students will demonstrate during their time at Upstate.  The ISLOs prepare students enrolled across all Upstate programs for careers in the health and biomedical sciences, a direct link to the university’s mission.  The ISLOs were updates and approved by university leadership, the four college deans and faculty governance groups in 2017, and vetted during the institution’s Middle States Accreditation Self-Study in 2018.

Expectations of Students and University Policies:

Under Expectations of Students and University Policies, Health Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Health Fee, Mandatory Health Insurance, the following changes/edits have been made:

Old Version

Health insurance coverage is required for all matriculated students.  Failure to provide proof of health insurance at the time of registration will delay registration.  Students who do not register on time will not be allowed to attend classes and will be subject to a late registration fee of $40 and a late payment fee of $50 ($90 total).  Students will be required to present proof of insurance for review and assurance of coverage at the time of their annual health assessment.

New Version

Students who do not register on time will not be allowed to attend classes and will be subject to a late registration fee of $40 and a late payment fee of $50 ($90 total). 

2017-2018 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

1) Under Expectations of Students and University Policies, Business Activities on Campus, Distribution of Materials has made the following changes/edits to the Policy Statement:

Old Version

In accordance with SUNY board of trustees resolution number 66-156 of 5/12/66 (amended February 28, 1973):

No authorization will be given to private commercial enterprises to operate on State University campuses or in facilities furnished by the University other than to provide for food, campus bookstore, laundry, and cultural events. This resolution shall not be deemed to apply to Faculty-Student Association activities approved by the University.  

New Version

In accordance with SUNY Board of Trustees Resolution Number 2012-020 of 3/28/12 and the SUNY Commercial Use Policy:

It is the policy of the State University to encourage the use of capital facilities of the University for appropriate commercial uses.  For purposes of this policy, “commercial use” means use for profit or potential profit, including research, by public or private entities. Upstate, on a case-by-case basis as further described below, may authorize commercial use, at its sole discretion, of its capital facilities subject to the following principles:

  • Use of University facilities for instruction, research and public service take priority over the commercial use of University facilities.
  • Commercial use shall not be in conflict with, and shall advance the mission of, the campus, and shall not infringe upon, delay or conflict with the normal operation of the campus.
  • Commercial use shall not be in conflict with and shall advance the University’s strategic plan.
  • Commercial use shall not have a significant potential for material adverse effect on the reputation of the campus for academic integrity and independence.
  • Commercial use shall not compete with or replicate activities of the campus auxiliary services corporation, campus foundation, or other campus-related entities.
  • Commercial use shall not violate existing agreements between the campus, its auxiliary services corporation, foundation or other campus-related entities and vendors providing goods or services on campus.
  • Commercial use shall conform to federal tax law restrictions on private use of facilities financed by tax-exempt bonds.
  • Commercial use shall comply with Federal research guidelines, to the extent applicable.

2016-2017 Student Handbook Changes & Edits

No major changes.
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