Appendix
Faculty Recommendations to Promote Academic Honesty
Student Member Selection Procedures
Incident Report Form
Signature Acknowledgment Form

Introduction

The credibility of a health care professional is based, to a large extent, on the high degree of trust accorded by the individuals he or she serves. Students entering the health care professions have a particular obligation to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects honesty, integrity and respect for others.

The University of Colorado Denver School of Pharmacy is committed to promoting in all of its students a sense of professionalism and a desire to adhere to the highest professional standards that pertain to pharmacy practice or to the professions in the pharmaceutical sciences. Students are expected to exhibit the highest standards of professional conduct, avoiding impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.

The Student Ethics and Conduct Code exists to promote honorable conduct on the part of all students in the school and instill in students a life-long commitment to the principles embodied within the code. Its purpose is to create an environment where honesty, integrity and respect are rewarded and unethical, dishonest or disrespectful behaviors are prevented, deterred or do not exist.

Responsibility for success of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code lies principally with the individual student as well as with the collective academic community of students, faculty and staff. Ultimately, the value of the code depends on students monitoring their own behavior and discouraging violations of the code by others and not on proceedings of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee to impose disciplinary actions after violations have occurred. Students are obligated to report suspected code violations committed by students, faculty or staff members.

Students and faculty members developed the code using similar codes from other schools as references** and in consultation with the Health Sciences Center legal counsel and Office of Risk Management. It provides guidelines for pharmacy students in accordance with the University of Colorado Board of Regents' resolution of March 17, 1988. The code was approved by the student council on April 28, 1999 and by the faculty on May 3, 1999.

At the start of each academic year, all students will sign a statement acknowledging that they have received and read the Student Ethics and Conduct Code and that they have made a personal commitment to uphold the code and abide by its principles. The signed statement must be returned to the School of Pharmacy Office of Student Services within one week of the start of classes for the fall term and will be placed in the student's file.

**In preparing the code, the committee referred to policies of the University of Colorado, to the former ethics and conduct codes of the School of Pharmacy and to similar codes from the UCD Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and other schools and colleges of pharmacy from the following universities: Cincinnati, Florida, Houston, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, San Francisco, Washington and Wisconsin.

Section I. Ethical Standards in Pharmacy

Pharmacy, like many other professions, is largely responsible for formulating and monitoring its own ethical and professional standards. Society grants the profession the opportunity and privilege to govern itself in this manner with the expectation that the profession will establish and uphold the highest standards that protect the public welfare. Failure to do so results in distrust between society and the profession and may cause harm to both the profession and the public. To this end, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy prepared the Oath of the Pharmacist (found elsewhere in the Student Handbook) and the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) developed the APhA Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. The APhA Code of Ethics, adopted by the APhA membership on October 27, 1994, reads:

Pharmacists are health professionals who assist individuals in making the best use of medications. This Code, prepared and supported by pharmacists, is intended to state publicly the principles that form the fundamental basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. These principles, based on moral obligations and virtues, are established to guide pharmacists in relationships with patients, health professionals, and society.
A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist.
Considering the patient-pharmacist relationship as a covenant means that a pharmacist has moral obligations in response to the gift of trust received from society. In return for the gift, a pharmacist promises to help individuals achieve optimum benefit from their medications, to be committed to their welfare, and to maintain their trust.
A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner.
A pharmacist places concern for the well-being of the patient at the center of professional practice. In doing so, a pharmacist considers needs stated by the patient as well as those defined by health science. A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient. With a caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist focuses on serving the patient in a private and confidential manner.
A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.
A pharmacist promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes individual self-worth by encouraging patients to participate in decisions about their health. A pharmacist communicates with patients in terms that are understandable. In all cases, a pharmacist respects personal and cultural differences among patients.
A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
A pharmacist has a duty to tell the truth and to act with conviction of conscience. A pharmacist avoids discriminatory practices, behavior or work conditions that impair professional judgment, and actions that compromise dedication to the best interests of patients.
A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as new medications, devices, and technologies become available and as health information advances.
A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals.
When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of colleagues or other health professionals or refers the patient. A pharmacist acknowledges that colleagues and other health professionals may differ in the beliefs and values they apply to the care of the patient.
A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs.
The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients. However, the obligations of a pharmacist may at times extend beyond the individual to the community and society. In these situations, the pharmacist recognizes the responsibilities that accompany these obligations and acts accordingly.
A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.
When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair and equitable, balancing the needs of patients and society.

Section II. Academic Conduct

Education at the School of Pharmacy is conducted under a system of academic, behavioral and ethical standards. All students who have entered health profession programs must possess the qualities of honesty and integrity and each student should apply these principles to his or her academic and professional career. All students are expected to have achieved a level of maturity that is reflected by appropriate conduct at all times. Although it is not possible to list every situation that violates the Student Ethics and Conduct Code, the following areas of conduct and expectations should provide a reference point.

A. Student Conduct in the School and on Campus

The School of Pharmacy Student Conduct Code provides guidelines for expected attitudes and behaviors of pharmacy students as they pursue professional studies. Students, faculty members and the administration share the responsibility to maintain appropriate student conduct in the classroom.

Students should respect their peers' right to learn. All interactions should be with courtesy and respect. Disruptive student behavior that interferes with fellow students' ability to concentrate and learn in the classroom, or that impedes an instructor in conducting class or a speaker in making a presentation, are considered violations of this code. Demonstration of a respectful learning environment includes, but is not limited to, the following types of behaviors:

Be on time for class; should you arrive late, enter the classroom through the rear door and do not disrupt anyone while finding a seat.
Do not leave the classroom during lecture unless a reasonable circumstance requires this action (e.g., illness); if you must leave, do so as quietly as possible with minimal disruption.
Refrain from conversations during the presentation of the class, seminar or other learning session.
Do not gather materials to leave the class until the instructor has completed his or her remarks.
Refrain from making disrespectful sounds during lecture.
Refrain from distracting activities during class.
Turn off sound on cell phones and pagers.
Do not bring pets or other animals into class, seminars or other learning sessions (except for certified companion dogs).
Refrain from bringing family members or other guests into class, seminars or other learning sessions unless permission is obtained from the instructor or course director.

Students also are expected to exhibit behaviors that uphold the essential values of the school, the university and campus communities. Examples of behaviors which contradict these values include but are not limited to:

Misusing, interfering with, jeopardizing or failing to comply with ethics and conduct code procedures, sanctions or agreements.
Physically harming or contributing to the harming of another person.
Hazing, stalking or harassing another person.
Stealing, vandalizing, damaging or defacing university or health system property or the property of others, including removal of items from student mailboxes without consent of the student.
Violating university, campus or school computer policies, for example, accessing or destroying another's computer files without consent, intentionally introducing computer viruses into computer systems or unauthorized use or misuse of university provided computer or network services.
Obstructing or disrupting legitimate research projects or other activities or programs of the school, campus or health system.
Possessing, using or storing firearms, explosives or weapons on university controlled property or at university, campus or school events or programs.
Tampering with fire or other safety equipment.
Intentionally and falsely reporting emergencies.
Violating state or federal laws.

B. Academic Honesty Standards

1. Standards

Students should adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Examples of behavior which violate these standards are listed below. This list is not intended to be all inclusive and other actions not listed here may be considered violations of the code. It is important to recognize that these are minimum standards. Faculty members or academic departments may impose more rigorous standards in specific courses or other academic activities, e.g., dress codes or mandatory attendance with sign-in requirements, which students are obligated to meet. Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to:

Cheating and plagiarism. These are the most obvious violations of academic conduct and apply to all examinations, assignments, research projects and any other academic endeavor.

Plagiarism. Each student is expected to present his or her own work. All papers, examinations and other assignments must be original or explicit acknowledgment must be given for the use of other persons' ideas or language. Examples of plagiarism as it might occur in term papers, research papers, laboratory reports, and other written assignments are listed below.

Failure to use quotation marks. All work which is quoted directly from a source should be enclosed in quotation marks and followed by a proper reference giving the exact page or pages from which the quote is taken. Failure to use quotation marks, even if a reference source is provided, is plagiarism.
Failure to document ideas or work. When a student uses one or more ideas from or paraphrases a source, he or she must give the exact page or pages from which the ideas or paraphrasing were taken.
Failure to provide an exact reference is plagiarism.
Failure to document collaborative work is plagiarism.

Cheating. Students are expected to present their own individual work on all assignments and examinations unless explicitly told otherwise by the instructor. Some examples of cheating are as follows:

Using the work of another individual on an examination or assignment and submitting it as your own work.
Permitting another student to use your work on an examination or assignment without explicit approval of the instructor.
Possessing or accessing unauthorized notes, crib sheets, additional sources of information or other material during an examination.
Providing or receiving unauthorized aid during an examination or prior to a make-up examination.
Taking an examination for another student or having an examination taken by a second party.
Preparing the answer to an exam question outside of class and submitting that answer as part of an in-class exam.
Altering or falsifying examination results after they have been evaluated by the instructor and returned to the student.
Unauthorized possession or use of examinations.
Collaborating on any assignment or examination without the explicit permission of the instructor.

Falsification. Providing false information verbally or in writing is a serious breach of academic honesty. Examples of falsification include: False documentation

Falsification or fabrication of examinations, reports, assignments, case studies and other assigned work.
Falsification or invention of sources or page references in assignments.
Falsification or alteration of original source documents, such as misquoting or misrepresenting the document, to support a specific point of view or hypothesis.
Falsification or fabrication of laboratory results or patient data.

Falsification of official records

Falsification of any school or university document including grade reports, transcripts or personnel files.
Forging signatures of school or university officials on any official document including patient records.

Falsification of information

Providing a false excuse or reason for missing an examination, assignment, a required attendance class or clinical rotation.
Providing the name or signature of another student on an attendance form; signing an attendance form when you are present for only a brief period of time, e.g., signing in and leaving or signing when you arrive near the end of the class or session.
Providing false information to an instructor to increase one's grade or to attain special consideration.
Providing false information regarding contributions to group assignments or projects.
Knowingly misrepresenting material facts to the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee, the dean, associate dean or any other individual associated with a case involving an alleged violation of this code.
Misrepresenting facts about oneself or another in regard to health, personal, financial or academic considerations to gain an unfair academic or financial benefit.

Other breaches of academic integrity and conduct. Examples include:

Attempts at cheating or falsification.
Destroying or removing from circulation study materials, examination keys, posted grades or other materials made available to all students.
Failure to report an observed incidence of a code violation, as well as the intentional reporting of false or misleading information, constitute violations of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.
Threatening any individual who intends to or has brought attention to violations of this code or for testifying against a student in Student Ethics and Conduct Committee proceedings.

2. Student Responsibility

To facilitate academic honesty, students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will prevent or decrease opportunities for academic dishonesty, particularly during examinations. These include:

Remove yourself from a situation that is likely to lead to a violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.
Be on time for each examination.
Protect your exam from the view of others.
Keep your eyes focused on your own exam.
Do not begin your exam before the time designated by the instructor or proctor.
Do not continue to take the exam beyond the designated time period for the exam.
Do not collaborate on an examination, assignment or project unless explicit permission to do so has been granted by the instructor or proctor.

Students are directly responsible for understanding the concepts and intentions of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code. Upon observing a possible violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code, students are obligated to:

Report suspected misconduct.
File an incident report as outlined in Section V below. If necessary, students should seek advice from a member of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee, any faculty member, a school administrator or a staff member in the Office of Student Services or from a student class officer.
Maintain confidentiality regarding the incident.

3. Faculty Responsibility

To facilitate academic honesty, faculty instructors and their assistants are expected to implement practices that will prevent or reduce opportunities for academic dishonesty, particularly for assignments, examinations and clinical work. These are described in an appendix to this code.

C. Cognitive Standards

Cognitive standards address the need for pharmacists to be competent practitioners. To meet this goal, students must demonstrate competence in their various courses and experiential work. These standards refer to satisfactory academic standing, academic requirements for graduation, academic probation and academic suspension. Details of these policies are provided elsewhere in the Student Handbook. Students are expected to uphold the principles of academic and personal integrity and ethics in all matters related to cognitive standards.

Section III. Professional Behavior

As future health care professionals, students should adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and professional ethics. Examples of unprofessional conduct include but are not limited to:

Misrepresentation of effort, credentials or achievement in either the academic or practice setting.
Any action which compromises the quality of patient care, including irresponsible or illegal drug or alcohol use.
Violation of patient confidentiality.
Other conduct which falls below that which befits a pharmacist.

A. Alcohol and Drugs

In accordance with the University of Colorado Policy on Alcohol and Drugs, the following code regarding alcohol and drug abuse has been established. A pharmacy student or pharmacist who irresponsibly uses alcohol or drugs discredits his or her professionalism and pharmacy as a health care profession. Alcohol or drug abuse compromises the student's ability to learn and to practice as a health care provider and thus is considered unprofessional conduct and a violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code. Alcohol or drug use that results in compromised patient care should not and will not be tolerated. Further, because pharmacists are in a unique position of ready access to drugs, the School of Pharmacy must insist on "zero tolerance" of alcohol or drug abuse. Students who have a problem with alcohol or drugs should seek assistance from services available on campus or elsewhere or they may elect to participate in the Colorado Pharmacists Recovery Network (CPRN) program.

Any student found by the dean or the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee to have abused drugs or alcohol, or by a court of law to have illegally used, possessed, attempted to possess, sold, transported, or distributed drugs or alcohol; or any student convicted upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a drug or alcohol related misdemeanor or felony, may apply to participate in the CPRN program. CPRN shall inform the dean of the School of Pharmacy whether a student has applied to participate in the CPRN program and whether the application to participate has been approved or rejected. The dean will then inform the chairperson of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee . The school cannot guarantee confidentiality once a student has contacted CPRN.

The dean of the School of Pharmacy may suspend immediately a pharmacy student who has unresolved or habitual alcohol or drug use problems or who has been accepted to participate in the CPRN program and fails to attend or complete the CPRN program.

1. Alcohol Use at School or Campus Functions

To minimize the potential for alcohol abuse at campus functions, the following guidelines shall be observed:

An official function form must be completed.
A responsible person will be assigned to monitor the consumption of alcohol to prevent over-indulgence.
Alcohol may not be served unless nonalcoholic beverages (in addition to water) and food also are served. Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available without cost whenever alcohol can be consumed at no cost.
When events last two hours or more, service of alcoholic beverages must stop one-half hour before close of the event.
Alcohol will not be served to minors (under 21 years of age). The burden of proof for showing legal age is on the consumer of the alcohol. No service will be provided unless clear evidence of legal age is presented. It is the responsibility of those in charge of an event to assure that no one who is under age is served alcoholic beverages.
The sale of alcoholic beverages at student events is prohibited except in areas, at times, and on dates licensed by the Colorado State Department of Revenue. Please contact the UCD Office of Admissions and Records for information on obtaining a Department of Revenue liquor permit.

2. Drug Abuse Policy

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act was signed into law on November 15, 1988. The act requires employers who contract with or receive grants from federal agencies to certify that they will meet certain requirements for providing a "drug-free work place." This act applies to all full or part-time employees and students of the university. Further, the University of Colorado prohibits the unlawful manufacture, dispensation, possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance. The possession, use or sale of illegal drugs, including non-prescribed narcotics or other controlled substances, is a violation not only of the law and university policies but also the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.

Consistent with the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy regulations 9.00.10, a student must notify the dean of the School of Pharmacy, within twenty days, of the filing of all legal proceedings and the disposition of such proceedings, wherein it is alleged that a student has violated any law or regulation pertaining to the compounding, dispensing, delivery or distribution of any drug or device.

Any student convicted upon a plea or verdict of guilty or following a plea of nolo contendere to a violation of a regulation of the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy shall be placed on probation for a period of time consistent with the penalty period established by the Board, or until graduation, whichever time is shorter.

B. Affective Behaviors

There are certain affective behaviors expected of pharmacy students and pharmacists in educational and professional environments. These behaviors encompass ethical, behavioral and emotional considerations that reflect the way pharmacy students should act during their professional education. Examples of these types of behaviors are described below. These are considered minimum standards. Students shall adhere to higher standards that may be required in specific educational environments such as experiential courses and programs.

Respect for the rights and property of others

Students have a right to a safe and respectful educational environment. It is the responsibility of each student to promote and maintain such an environment through adherence to the principles of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.

Cooperate with the orderly conduct of classes

Students should respect their peers' right to learn. Disruptive student behavior that interferes with fellow students' ability to concentrate and learn in the classroom, or that impedes a professor in making a presentation or in conducting class violates the principles of this code. Examples of expected behaviors in the classroom are described above in Section II.A. Academic Conduct.

Treat faculty, staff, students, patients and other health care practitioners with respect

Students are expected to demonstrate respectful behavior at all times toward the faculty, staff, students and patients in the School of Pharmacy and other institutions on or affiliated with the Health Sciences Center.
The student body, faculty and staff represent a diverse group. Respect for and understanding of individuals from diverse backgrounds is a part of a university education. Prejudices against individuals because of race, ethnic or cultural background, gender, disability or other personal characteristics will not be tolerated in the School of Pharmacy.
Students are expected to display mature judgment and abide by the reasonable decisions communicated by faculty and staff. Profane language or disrespectful behavior by students is unacceptable. Faculty and staff members work to provide a quality educational program for pharmacy students. Misunderstandings, changes in curricula or mistakes in administrative aspects of the program will occur from time to time. Appropriate mechanisms exist to communicate student concerns about the operation of the school through the Office of Student Services, faculty members, administrators, student government members and student representatives on school committees.
The dignity and respect of all health care practitioners and caregivers must be acknowledged, promoted and upheld.
A patient's dignity and respect must be preserved under all circumstances.

Respect the physical environment

A considerable amount of human and fiscal resources are used to maintain the integrity and appearance of the physical facilities of the school. Students are expected to contribute to the maintenance of a neat and clean environment by properly disposing of trash and recyclables and by helping to keep classrooms, study areas, lounge areas, kitchens and appliances, hallways, rest rooms, walls and bulletin boards free of trash and clutter.

Avoid actions that reflect poorly on the School of Pharmacy or the profession of pharmacy

Examples of poor judgment and behavior that adversely reflect on the individual pharmacy student, the School of Pharmacy and the profession include but are not limited to: disrespect; theft, vandalism or inappropriate access to personal or proprietary information or personal property (offices, desks, computers and computer files or other school, university or student property); acts of physical violence or aggression against students, faculty or staff members; and involvement with drug diversion and illicit drug use. Many of these actions are addressed elsewhere in the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.

Maintain professional confidentiality

Pharmacy students are obligated to respect all confidences revealed to them such as patient conditions, medical and pharmaceutical records, economic information, fee payments or any privileged information from committees of which a student is a member.

Adhere to appropriate dress

Attire and personal grooming are expected such that they do not distract from nor compromise the professional integrity of the School of Pharmacy or the pharmacy profession. When classes are in session or when other professional activities are taking place, students are expected to have a neat and clean appearance and to be dressed in attire that befits a professional student. Examples of reasonable dress may include casual pants and a collared shirt for men; dress, skirt or casual pants and blouse for women. Students shall abide by more stringent dress standards as required in specific courses.

Adhere to the academic honesty standards of the School of Pharmacy

Academic honesty standards preserve the moral and ethical character and integrity vital to academic pursuits as well as the practice of pharmacy. Adherence to these standards, described throughout this code, is an expectation of all pharmacy students.

Cooperate with faculty, staff and administrators in addressing problems

Pharmacy students enjoy the rights and privileges that accrue with membership in the university and school community and are subject to the responsibilities which accompany that membership.
One responsibility is to truthfully report violations of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code committed by yourself or by other pharmacy students to the appropriate faculty or staff member or administrator.
Another responsibility is to act cooperatively and constructively with the school's faculty, staff and administrators in addressing issues or problems that arise in the course of academic life or professional educational programs of the school.

C. Psychomotor and Learning Expectations

Psychomotor expectations relate to the ability to meet the physical demands of the pharmacy curriculum. These aspects of pharmacy education are described in more detail in the Technical Standards section of this handbook. Physically impaired students and students with learning disabilities such as hearing impairment, visual impairment, dyslexia, sensory deficit, sensory-motor coordination problems or other specific disabilities are expected to cooperate with the faculty and staff in addressing these issues in order to meet academic standards.

Section IV. Relationship of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code to Local, State and Federal Laws

The University adheres to all appropriate local, state and federal laws and cooperates with law enforcement officials in all matters. Any alleged violation of local, state or federal laws will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency and such laws have precedence over the provisions of this policy.

A student must notify the chairperson of the Student Ethics-and Conduct Committee, within twenty days, of the filing of all legal proceedings and the disposition of such proceedings, wherein it is alleged that a student has violated criminal law. Convictions of local, state, or federal criminal laws shall be considered unprofessional conduct for purposes of this code.

Section V. Procedures and Sanctions

Each student shall receive a copy of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code each year upon entry into or continuation in the School of Pharmacy and shall acknowledge receipt of this copy and of his/her intention to abide by the Code by affixing their signature to the acknowledgment statement and returning the signed form to the School of Pharmacy's Student Services office where it will be placed in the student's file.

The primary responsibility for reporting violations of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code rests with the individual student who has violated the code. Because responsibility for upholding the code also is shared by all members of the School of Pharmacy, documented reports of misconduct may originate from any student or member of the faculty or staff.

A. Student Ethics and Conduct Committee

The School of Pharmacy has a standing Student Ethics and Conduct Committee. The composition of the committee shall consist of eight members to include:

Four student representatives with full voting privileges, one from each class elected by the Student Council each year as necessary. Procedures for selection of student representatives is appended to this code.
Three faculty members with full voting privileges, one from each department and one at-large, appointed each year by the dean in consultation with department chairpersons. One faculty member will be appointed by the dean as chairperson of the committee.
The associate dean (or other administrator appointed by the dean) will serve as administrator of committee proceedings. The associate dean will not have voting privileges.
A quorum consists of at least three student members, two faculty members and the administrator. A quorum being present, four votes are required to make a decision.

The primary function of the committee is to examine alleged violations of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code and to make recommendations to the dean. The Student Ethics and Conduct Committee also is responsible for developing, reviewing and proposing to the faculty and students modifications of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code.

B. Reporting Procedures

If at any time, the dean or associate dean learns, through whatever means, that student conduct inside or outside the classroom poses a threat to the health or welfare of any student, faculty or staff member or patient, then the dean or associate dean has the authority to immediately take such action as is necessary to protect the health or welfare of those involved.

1. Alleged code violations

A report of a suspected violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code should be made, whenever possible, within ten business days upon observing or learning of an incident. The reporting mechanism shall consist of a standardized form known as an Incident Report Form and upon completion shall be submitted directly to the chairperson of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee or to the associate dean or a full time staff member in the Office of Student Services who will forward it immediately to the committee chairperson. Subsequently, the dean shall be informed of the report by the chairperson as soon as possible. The ten day reporting period may be waived by the committee chairperson or associate dean if, in his/her judgment, circumstances warrant.

A copy of the incident report form is available in the School of Pharmacy Office of Student Services, from the chairperson of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee or the associate dean. A copy also is appended to this code.

The Student Ethics and Conduct Committee may not be the initiator of action against a suspected violator of the code. In the event a committee member who personally observes an alleged violation files an incident report, he/she will be excused from the committee for that case and may be replaced, if necessary, by an individual appointed by the dean or, if a student, by the Student Council.

Information involving an alleged violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code shall be considered confidential by all parties involved. Violation of confidentiality is considered a breach of ethical conduct.

Upon receipt of the incident report, the committee chairperson will within two weeks:

Meet with the individual(s) reporting the incident to determine the validity of the allegation.
Inform the accused student in writing that an incident report has been received concerning him/her. The identity of the individual(s) reporting the alleged code violation will remain confidential pending review of the report.
If the report is found by the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee chairperson to be invalid, then the accused student shall be notified in writing of this finding and no further action shall be taken against this student. At the same time, the dean, associate dean and individual(s) who reported the incident also shall be notified of the findings by the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee chairperson.

2. Disruptive behavior

Disruptive student behavior may be dealt with entirely within the confines of the faculty-student relationship. Faculty members have the authority to:

Identify students who are disruptive.
Instruct students to refrain from disruptive behavior.
Assign students to specific seats in a classroom or take other appropriate action to prevent disruptive behavior.
Require students to leave the classroom or learning environment.

Faculty members who choose to take appropriate action to prevent further disruptive behavior or who require a student to leave the learning environment may choose to inform the associate dean that this has occurred. If the associate dean is informed of such an incident, then a letter of reprimand will be sent by the associate dean to the student and a copy placed in the student's academic file. As a condition of returning to attend subsequent classes, a faculty member may require a student to petition the faculty member for permission to re-enter the classroom or to obtain a letter of permission from the associate dean.

Students who defy a faculty member's instruction regarding seating, instruction to leave the learning environment or other appropriate actions will be referred to the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee for misconduct proceedings.

Faculty members are not the only individuals responsible for professional behavior in the classroom. Students also may refer complaints regarding disruptive classroom behavior to the associate dean or the assistant dean or director of the Office of Student Services. For complaints to be investigated, they must be in writing and must contain sufficient information to facilitate an investigation, e.g., the name of the individual filing the report, the name(s) of the student(s) who is (are) disruptive in class and a description of the disruptive activity, including date, time, place and other witnesses whenever possible. The associate dean (or his/her designee) will investigate all such complaints. This investigation may include interviews with students and faculty members or attendance at class by the associate dean or his/her designee. If the associate dean concludes that a student has been disruptive in class, then a warning letter will be sent to the student. If the student is involved with continued disruptive behavior, the student will be referred to the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee for misconduct proceedings.

C. Procedures of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee

1. Events prior to a formal committee hearing

If the incident report is found to have validity, a meeting of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee shall be called by the chairperson. Committee members and both the accusing and accused parties shall be notified in writing of this decision.

Notification of the accused party shall include the nature of the charge and evidence of the charge.
This information, together with the date, time and place of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee hearing will be given to the accused student at least seven days in advance of the hearing.
The dean also shall be notified at this time of the forthcoming Student Ethics and Conduct Committee hearing.
If at this time, the accused student enters a plea in writing of guilty or nolo contendere, the charge will be recorded against the student and placed in the student's file in the Office of Student Services. The Student Ethics and Conduct Committee will then meet in closed session to consider appropriate disciplinary action.
A student suspected of violating the Student Ethics and Conduct Code, whether acknowledging involvement or not, should be allowed to continue with coursework without prejudice pending action by the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee. The student shall not be advanced or graduated until final disposition of the case.
If a course associated with the case ends before the committee has acted, the instructor should assign a grade of "incomplete" (IF or IW). The final grade will be determined after the committee has made its recommendation. If no action is recommended, the student's grade becomes that which was earned in the course. If the committee recommends action that subsequently is approved by the dean, such action may alter the student's final course grade.
The dean shall be kept informed of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee's actions and recommendations.

If at this time, the accused student fails to enter a plea, or enters a plea of innocent, the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee will proceed with the hearing.

The student charged with a violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code may review the case file and may request a copy of all pertinent information in the file prior to the hearing. The student also may request to meet with the committee chairperson or associate dean (or committee administrator) prior to the hearing to review student rights and responsibilities or to review procedures.
When more than one student is accused of misconduct in an incident, each student may request a separate hearing.

2. Procedures at the formal committee hearing

Prior to the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee hearing, the chairperson will ask the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee members (himself or herself included) whether there is any reason why they would be unable to render an unbiased opinion in the impending case. Committee members who disqualify themselves may be replaced by the dean or, in the event that the disqualified member is a student, by the Student Council.

All hearings will be conducted in an orderly manner. At the hearing:

A hearing must be conducted in the presence of the accused student except when his/her absence is without good cause, as determined by the committee chairperson and the associate dean (or committee administrator).
The Student Ethics and Conduct Committee will keep a complete record of the proceedings, including all written testimony and an audio tape recording of the hearing. All participants will be informed of these procedures.
The individual(s) reporting the incident and the accused student will be given every opportunity to speak and present fully the evidence he or she has brought to the hearing.
The individual(s) reporting the incident and members of the committee have the right to introduce and rebut evidence and call and examine witnesses.
The accused student has the right to introduce and rebut evidence and provide on his or her behalf witnesses to the incident.
Both the accused student (at his or her own expense) and the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee may seek assistance from an advisor or legal counsel. The advisor or counsel may attend the hearing but is not permitted to actively participate ,.e.g., speak or make comments, during the proceedings.
The university agrees to maintain confidentiality of the proceedings as permitted by law. All other parties agree to keep the proceedings confidential.

Following the hearing, the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee will meet in closed session within seven days to recommend appropriate action.

Definition of Burden of Proof. The standard that shall be applied in all cases brought before the committee is that the evidence against the accused student, in the majority opinion of the committee, must be clear and convincing in order for a guilty finding to be rendered.

Within seven days of the closed session, the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee will submit a report and recommendation to the dean. The recommendation may be that no disciplinary action be taken and the charges be dismissed or that sanctions be taken as described in section V.E. of this code.

The dean may accept or modify the recommendation of the committee. The dean shall notify the student in writing of his decision within ten school days.

D. Appeal Process

The student may appeal the decision of the dean to the chancellor of the Health Sciences Center in writing within ten school days after notification by the dean. The decision of the chancellor shall be final. The chancellor will communicate the decision in writing to the student and the dean. The chancellor, may at his or her discretion, convene an advisory committee to assist in reaching a reasonable conclusion to the case.

E. Sanctions

Unprofessional conduct, including but not limited to disruptive behavior in the classroom, misdemeanor or felony offenses, substance abuse, professional misconduct or breach of confidence, may result in disciplinary actions which include but are not limited to:

Issuing of a warning or reprimand.
Probation, suspension or permanent expulsion from the School of Pharmacy.

Breaches of academic honesty will result in disciplinary measures. These may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

A failing grade (e.g., a grade of zero) for a specific assignment or examination.
A failing grade for a specific course.
Probation, suspension or permanent expulsion from the School of Pharmacy.

All disciplinary actions taken against a student will become a part of his or her file.

The committee chairperson will issue a semi-annual report to the faculty of the school summarizing Student Ethics and Conduct Committee proceedings and disciplinary actions taken by the dean upon the recommendation of the committee.

F. Procedures for revision of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code

Changes to the code may be initiated by students through the Student Council or by members of the faculty or administration. All recommended changes should be forwarded to the chairperson of the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee. A revised code will be drafted by the Student Ethics and Conduct Committee and reviewed by the Student Council and the faculty of the school. Following additional revisions by the committee, the revised code will be sent to the Student Council for approval and the faculty for final approval. A simple majority vote of a quorum of each group is sufficient to ratify the revised code.

Appendix

Faculty Recommendations to Promote Academic Honesty
Student Member Selection Procedures
Incident Report Form (see below)
Signature Acknowledgment Form

University of Colorado School of Pharmacy
Student Ethics and Conduct Code

Incident Report Form

(copies may be obtained from individuals listed below)

Your name(s):

Witness(es):

Observed violation of Student Ethics and Conduct Code:

Date of alleged violation:

Alleged violator's name(s):

Environment (class, assignment, exam, other):

Nature of violation* (please provide as much detail and evidence as possible):

*I (we) understand that intentional false accusation is a violation of the Student Ethics and Conduct Code. I (we) also agree to keep this incident report confidential.

Signature:

Contact (phone, e-mail):

Date:

Return completed report within ten business days of observing or learning of the incident to:

Dr. Chris Turner
Chair, Student Ethics and Conduct Committee
Date received
Room 256; 303-315-3867

OR:

Dr. Catherine Jarvis, Assistant Dean for Student and Professional Affairs
Ms. Beverly Brunson, Director of Student Services
Dr. Ralph J. Altiere, Associate Dean and SECC Administrator

Last updated: 6/16/08