PROCEEDINGS: Policies
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Important Policies
Non-Discrimination
The University of Toledo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, the presence of a disability, genetic information, familial status, political affiliation, or participation in protected activities in its provision of employment and educational opportunities. Discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on any of those bases is strictly prohibited. Upon notice of possible discrimination, the University takes prompt and appropriate steps to determine what occurred, end a discriminatory practice or hostile environment if one has been created, and prevent its recurrence. Retaliation against anyone because he or she has made a complaint or served as a witness or otherwise engaged in activity protected by this policy is also strictly prohibited by this policy.
The University of Toledo does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender. The University of Toledo also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Reports of sexual harassment and discrimination questions regarding Title IX, and concerns about noncompliance should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please contact the Title IX Coordinator https://www.utoledo.edu/title-ix/ or the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) http://www.ed.gov/ocr.
Positive Learning Environment/Student Mistreatment
The University of Toledo, College of Medicine & Life Sciences (COMLS) subscribes to the Association of American Medical College’s guiding principles for promoting a positive learning environment and expects all faculty in the COMLS to understand and comply with these principles at all times.
The COMLS Learning Environment and Faculty Professionalism policy 3364-81-04-018-00 specifies the expectations of professionalism and behavior for faculty and identifies the mechanisms for students to report exemplary professionalism as well as mistreatment. The policy also clarifies that concerns may be reported without fear of retaliation and an expectation that the COMLS will investigate and address reported concerns. Students can report incidents of perceived mistreatment per the COMLS Learning Environment and Faculty Professionalism policy 3364-81-04-018-00, Title IX policy 3364-50-01, and Nondiscrimination policy 3364-50-02. The university strongly enforces the Non-retaliation policy 3364-15-04.
Students may report mistreatment through the following mechanisms:
- MD Program Learning Environment Portal (QR code on badge buddy)
- UToledo Report a Concern (QR code on badge buddy; link at the bottom of each UToledo webpage)
- Course/clerkship evaluations; annual Learning Environment Survey; Optional – Medical Student Survey in each Blackboard course
- Deans, directors, faculty, and staff
The Learning Environment and Faculty Professionalism
Faculty members, as medical educators, have a duty, not only to convey the knowledge and skills required for delivering the profession’s contemporary standard of care, but also to inculcate the values and attitudes required for preserving the medical profession’s social contract across generations. They must be role models who epitomize professional values and attitudes in order to have a learning environment suffused with integrity and in which students learn enduring lessons of professionalism. This includes demonstrating respect for every individual. Given the inherently hierarchical and asymmetrical nature of the teacher/learner relationship and the health delivery enterprise, Faculty members have a special obligation to ensure that they always treat students, patients and colleagues respectfully.
Guidelines for Conduct in Educator/Student/Professional Relationships
Medical students have the option to obtain advice about academic issues from individuals who are not involved in making decisions regarding their evaluation or promotion. In order to prevent conflict of interest in student promotions decisions, the academic advisors in the Office of Student Affairs and the Academic Enrichment Center will not serve as members of the Medical Student Promotions Committee. The associate deans for Foundational Sciences or Clinical Undergraduate Medical Education serve as ex-officio non-voting members of the Medical Student Promotions Committee. More information can be found here.
Additionally, the health professionals and faculty/staff who provide psychiatric/psychological/personal counseling or other sensitive medical and healthcare services to medical students will not be involved in the academic, professionalism, or disciplinary evaluation, promotion, or dismissal of students receiving those services. The policy outlining the separation of these roles can be found here.