University of Georgia Academic Policies
Academic Integrity
UGA seeks to promote and ensure academic integrity and personal integrity among students and the university community. Academic integrity is vital to the very fabric and integrity of the university. A Culture of Honesty is the academic integrity policy and procedures at UGA. These procedures are designed to protect academic integrity while providing due process when suspected violations of the academic integrity policy occur.
UGA Student Code of Conduct
The UGA Code of Conduct has been developed by the Office of Student Conduct to provide useful information to students and organizations about their rights and responsibilities as members of the University community. All procedures for responding to possible violations of conduct regulations, including specifics of the conduct process, a listing of possible sanctions, and the appeals procedures, are included in the Code of Conduct.
University Equal Opportunity Office Policies
Digital Accessibility
The University of Georgia is committed to ensuring that digital content and technology related to its programs, services, and activities, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, will be accessible to all individuals in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504’).
UGA Digital Accessibility Policy
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work, and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, University System of Georgia policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”) by any member of the University Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for any member of the University Community.
UGA Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy
Sexual Misconduct
The University of Georgia is committed to reducing incidents of Sexual Misconduct, providing prevention tools, conducting ongoing awareness and prevention programming, and training the campus community. Prevention programming and training will promote positive and healthy behaviors and educate the campus community on consent, sexual assault, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug use, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, bystander intervention, and reporting.
School of Medicine Policies & Guidelines
The SOM Policy Library is the central repository for SOM policies and procedures. In the library are key policies and procedures related to the MD program, including admissions, academic and professional standards, student progress and promotion, and other student-related issues. As additional policies are developed and approved, they will be added to the library.
The policies contained in this library are subject to change. Minor updates will be posted directly to the library. Major changes will be communicated to students, faculty, and staff.
Professionalism and Mistreatment Concerns Reporting Flowchart
Click here to view how concerns and student reports move through the School of Medicine’s review process.
Shadowing Opportunities
Students may wish to arrange shadowing experiences with physicians or other clinicians as a way to observe patient care outside of the formal curriculum. Shadowing means observation only: students may not participate in patient care in any capacity. Please note that any such shadowing is not a UGA SOM program, is not part of the required curriculum, and is not administered, endorsed, or covered by the school. Students do not receive “credit” from the SOM for shadowing providers. Students wishing to partake in shadowing opportunities must be arranged by the student directly with the healthcare system or provider. The UGA SOM credentialing office is not involved with student shadowing; likewise, the credentialing process you have completed with the SOM does not apply to the credentialing process related to shadowing. Because these arrangements fall outside the school’s required activities, students are responsible for completing any credentialing, health screening, background check, or other onboarding requirements the host institution may require, through the host institution, and should be aware that liability coverage extended through the UGA SOM does not apply to these independent activities.
Students considering shadowing should weigh this time carefully against their academic responsibilities. We strongly encourage students to talk with their Head of House and/or Student Affairs about whether shadowing is a good idea before seeking any opportunities.
In Athens, if you are interested in shadowing opportunities at either Piedmont Athens or St. Mary’s, you can contact the individuals below. When contacting any healthcare system, you need to make it clear that this is NOT part of the UGA SOM curriculum and that you are independently seeking to shadow a provider outside of your medical school experiences. For any provider that is outside of the Piedmont Athens and St. Mary’s, you need to follow their rules and procedures.
For Piedmont Athens:
Students can reach out directly to Melinda Wheelis (Patient Experience Coordinator | Volunteer Services | Job Shadow Program) at [email protected]. Students must identify a provider on their own. Once they get confirmation from the provider they should reach out to Melinda who will work with them to get cleared for shadowing at Piedmont Athens.
For St. Mary’s:
Students are responsible for finding someone to shadow and submit an application through ACEMAPP. To apply, students should first log into their ACEMAPP accounts. While logged in, click on the link: Shadow Program Application to apply. Students can reach out to Leslie Coleman ([email protected]) for assistance.