Examination Absence (Policy # SA-03)
Approved by: MD-PEC
Lead Writer: M. Reesor, UGME Program Manager
Last Revised: October, 2009
Mid-term and final examinations are essential tools used to evaluate student performance. Summatively, they allow the School of Medicine to make fundamental decisions related to student progress and promotion. Formatively, they provide an opportunity for students to assess their strengths and weaknesses and, if necessary, receive necessary remediation. Likewise, examinations provide valuable feedback to curricular leaders and instructors that allows them to determine if students are sufficiently grasping the concepts being taught and make any necessary modifications to content, teaching methodology and overall pedagogy.
Therefore, students will only be granted permission to be absent from examinations for the following reasons:
1) medical issue
2) case by case consideration will be granted to students experiencing extraordinary personal circumstances which might include: a death in the family, the presentation of material at an academic conference or similar event, participation in high level athletics, etc.
In all cases students will be expected to provide appropriate third party documentation to objectively confirm any of the above. All examination absence requests must be approved by the UGME Associate Dean or an appointed delegate. This should normally be completed in advance.
