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STANDARD OF CONDUCT

The Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences of New York Medical College expects its students, as members of the academic community, to conduct themselves and their activities in the highest traditions of those engaged in the search for knowledge. Students are expected to be truthful in submitting work that is identified as the result of their own effort. Cheating and plagiarism, in any form, will not be tolerated.

Since our graduate programs are based in experimental science, particular emphasis is to be placed on honesty and integrity in testing and research and the appropriate acknowledgment of the contributions of others to one’s dissertation, thesis and reports. No publication is permitted without the consent of all involved investigators. Potential conflicts of interest that may impede an investigator’s impartiality in conducting research must be disclosed to appropriate institutional officials. Fabrication or falsification of data in any form will not be tolerated.

Serious violations of these principles will result in disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.

Students are also expected to treat other members of the College community – including faculty, staff and fellow students – with appropriate respect and honesty. In turn, students may expect to be treated with appropriate respect and honesty.

The Graduate School and the College have endorsed a number of policies that address specific issues related to standards of conduct. Some of these are summarized below in abridged form. Full copies of all such policies may be obtained from the Graduate School office, the Graduate School’s Web site, or the Graduate School Student Handbook. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the complete versions of the policies that are noted below in abbreviated form.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

New York Medical College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability. Additionally, no person shall be discriminated against on such a basis in the College’s programs, activities and employment. All policies regarding admissions, employment and educational programs and activities are established and administered in conformity with the Education Practices Act of New York as well as applicable state and federal civil rights laws, specifically including Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, as amended, and regulations thereunder prohibiting practices or policies in admissions, education programs, or employment that are in any way discriminatory on the basis of sex and disability, respectively.

Anthony M. Sozzo, Associate Dean for Student Financial Planning and Student Activities, is the Section 504 Coordinator for Individuals with Disabilities and the Coordinator for Title IX. His office is located in the Administration Building, Room 124, Valhalla, NY 10595, and his telephone number is (914) 594-4491.

Sexual Harassment Policy

New York Medical College is committed to providing all of our students and employees an environment free from conduct constituting harassment and to discipline any student or employee who violates this policy. It is the responsibility of faculty and management to create an atmosphere free of sexual harassment. It is also the duty of each student and employee to respect the rights of fellow students and employees. New York Medical College’s policy is to investigate all complaints of sexual harassment thoroughly and promptly. If an investigation reveals that harassment has occurred, the College will take corrective action, as appropriate.

Policy on Professional Conduct in Student-Student and Teacher-Student Relations

New York Medical College is dedicated to high standards of education and a respect for the dignity of the individual. The College is concerned about preventing faculty-student, resident-student, or student-student relationships that are perceived as injurious to the mental or physical well being or academic freedom of any of its students. The College is committed to the principle that students and teachers have a duty to respect each other and promote a professional environment in which the educational, research and clinical missions of the university are pursued. This policy has been developed to define the standards of conduct in teacher-student and student-student relationships at New York Medical College, specify mechanisms for the prompt handling of complaints, and provide for education methods aimed at preventing student mistreatment and abuse.

Any student who believes that he or she has been the victim of harassment or abuse is encouraged to avail himself or herself of the procedures available for resolution of the issue. Every effort will be made to resolve the complaint using the informal procedures already in place. Any graduate student in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences who believes that he or she has been harassed or abused should contact either the Dean of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences (914-594-4110), the Vice Provost for University Student Affairs (914-594-4500), or an associate dean for student affairs to discuss in confidence the occurrence of possible abusive behavior on campus or at an affiliated facility. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, there are more formal procedures that may be utilized.

Rights and Responsibilities of Students in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences

The graduate programs of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences are intended to provide their students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in the biomedical sciences and/or in fields allied with the biomedical sciences. Students who enroll in one of these academic programs have certain legitimate expectations (or rights) regarding the educational program they are undertaking, and also assume certain responsibilities. Student Rights and Responsibilities outlines these rights and responsibilities in general terms by establishing principles that are intended to serve as guidelines for the student’s experience at NYMC. It has separate sections that cover General Principles, Academic Regulations and Student Progress, Research Training and Intellectual Property Issues, Financial Aid and Employment Issues, and the Grievance Process. This document does not replace or supersede other documents that specify graduate school and/or university policies with regard to academic rules and regulations, student financial aid, employee rights and conditions of employment, maintenance of a safe working environment, discrimination, or sexual harassment.

Graduate School Appeals Board (GSAB)

The purpose of the GSAB is to review appeals brought by graduate students of decisions made by University representatives concerning (1) retention in graduate programs, (2) charges of academic misconduct or dishonesty, and (3) selected other issues related to graduate education as deemed appropriate to forward to the GSAB by the Dean of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, the Provost, or other university officials. The GSAB is composed of both faculty and students, and operates under a specified set of procedures. Details are available from the Graduate School Dean’s office.

Guidelines for Ethical Practices in Research and Policies for Dealing with Instances of Alleged Violations of Ethical Standards

Students conducting research are bound by the same ethical guidelines that apply to faculty investigators, within the limits of their authority and responsibilities. The purpose of these guidelines is to preclude the occurrences of all unethical scientific practices in research such as (a) deliberate falsification or misrepresentation in the proposal, conduct or reporting of research, (b) pilfering of scientific data and plagiarism in scientific publications, and (c) misappropriation of research funds. The integrity of the entire scientific enterprise, and, in particular, of this institution requires that the College pay special attention to and expeditiously and equitably resolve any allegations of unethical scientific actions violating professional standards or regulation by investigators at the College or its affiliated hospitals. Maintenance of high ethical standards in the conduct of research and research training requires the establishment of a set of guidelines directed towards the delineation of ethical standards in research. This document attempts to do so. Furthermore, it cites recommendations for investigating allegations of unethical scientific practices and outlines procedures for reporting and correcting the consequences of such unethical practices, while at the same time protecting the rights and reputation of the investigators.

Statement on Plagiarism

(Adopted from the New York University Statement on Plagiarism)

Plagiarism is a form of theft. It is the theft of someone else’s words and ideas, which are then passed off as your own. Plagiarism can take the following forms:

  •  including a phrase, sentence or longer passage from another writer’s work without using quotation marks and a citation;
  • paraphrasing a section from another writer’s work without citation;
  • listing, as your own, facts or concepts gathered, developed or reported by others without giving them due credit;
  • presenting someone else’s work (e.g., that of another student) with your name on it;
  • submitting a term paper written by or purchased from someone else.

Plagiarism and other forms of academic fraud are serious violations of the code of ethical conduct expected and required from students in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences at New York Medical College. Charges of plagiarism and other forms of academic fraud by students will be investigated and adjudicated by the Dean or by a panel of faculty and students convened for the purpose by the Dean. Penalties might include censure, loss of grade or assignment of a failing grade, loss of privileges, suspension, or expulsion, depending upon the particular circumstances and gravity of the offense.

Drug-free School and Campus Policy

New York Medical College recognizes its special responsibility to prevent the illicit use of drugs or alcohol on College premises by faculty, students and employees. It is the policy of New York Medical College to prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by faculty, employees and students on College premises or as part of any activities of the College. Drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation programs are available.

Smoke-free Policy

It is the policy of New York Medical College to establish a smoke-free environment at all of its owned and leased premises, to provide information to faculty, employees and students on the potential health hazards of smoking and of the availability of smoke-free programs and to ensure that employees and students who smoke to respect the rights of others who do not wish to be exposed to the bad effects of inhaling smoke. Therefore, no smoking shall be permitted on any premises of New York Medical College subject to this policy, which shall be the College’s owned or leased premises at the Valhalla campus including the public areas and lounges of Grasslands Housing, excluding the living quarters of Grasslands Housing, and excluding the premises of the Westchester Medical Center. Violations of this policy will result initially in referrals to smoke-free or rehabilitation programs or other remedial measures as a requirement for continued employment and finally appropriate disciplinary actions.