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Professional Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines for professional behavior and conduct for all members of the College of Veterinary Medicine. As members of the veterinary profession, students’ conduct and activities should reflect the honor and dignity of the profession, maintain an environment conducive to learning for themselves and others, and provide service to the community.
The Code of Conduct is intentionally general in order to provide guidance for professional behavior without specifying every action that might be considered unprofessional. The guidelines are based on the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics published by the AVMA. They are not intended to supersede or modify the Oregon State University Student Conduct Regulations. A violation of the Code of Conduct will be considered grounds for dismissal. The Student Progress Committee will review all violations and make recommendations to the Dean.
- Students will treat each other, faculty and staff with respect, fairness, and courtesy.
- Students will consider the welfare of the patient first with decisions regarding patient care transcending personal, professional, or academic gain.
- Students shall earn the respect of their colleagues and the public through courteous verbal exchange, considerate treatment, professional appearance, professionally acceptable treatments and the utilization of current and valid scientific knowledge.
- Students will maintain an appropriate learning environment at all times and give instructors the respect of their attention. Students should respect the rights of other students with respect to access to learning and learning aids.
- Students should strive to continually improve their knowledge and skill as well as the knowledge and skill of those around them.
- Students will be honest in all matters with all people associated with the educational program and their colleagues.
- Students shall observe all laws and uphold the honor and dignity of the veterinary profession.
Examples of unprofessional conduct include but are not limited to the following:
- Giving or receiving aid on an examination, except as specifically permitted by the instructor.
- Verbal or physical abuse of faculty, staff, patients, clients or students, or knowingly publishing or circulating false information concerning any individual in the College
- Failure to maintain patient and client confidentiality by sharing or releasing any case information including photographs and recorded images without specific approval from the client.
- Use of non-physician-prescribed controlled or prescription drugs or chemical substances or alcohol or being under the influence of these while in a work or educational environment.
- Knowingly producing false evidence against any other person or giving false statements or charges in bad faith against any other person.
- Removing an examination from the examination room without the instructor's consent.
- Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of application materials or forms used by the CVM for admissions, evaluation of performance or evaluation of conduct.
- Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of clinical records, vaccination certificate, prescriptions or other forms used in the practice of veterinary medicine.
- Abuse, neglect or improper care of any animal.
- Conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or on any charge involving moral turpitude (moral depravity).
- Engaging in any facet of the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery prior to graduation unless under direct supervision of a legally licensed veterinarian. These practices shall be defined according to state practice acts.
Honesty in Academic Work
The administration of the classroom rests with the instructor. Immediate action should be taken when evidence of academic dishonesty comes to the instructor's attention. The instructor may impose any grade penalty up to and including an "F" grade after informing the student. The instructor must report the incident and the action taken to the Department Head and then to the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. Grade penalties imposed as a result of academic dishonesty may be appealed by the student.
Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
- Receiving or giving unauthorized aid on examinations or any other work which is required to be accomplished individually. In general, students may not work together on graded course work without the specific permission of their instructor. If students are unsure of the limits of permissible collaboration, they must seek clarification from the instructor.
- Using unauthorized materials during examinations.
- Denying others the opportunity to prepare for upcoming exams.
- Plagiarism, defined as the unacknowledged use of another's words or ideas.
- Using false excuses to obtain extensions of time deadlines, or providing false information of fabricated documents or data to the University.
- Altering a graded exam and submitting it for re-grading.
- Falsifying medical records or any document relating to the treatment, care, health or disposition of any animal in the College.
- Willfully neglecting or mistreating any animal o the College.
- Stealing or misappropriating any item or making unauthorized use of any item, public or private at the College of Veterinary Medicine, or other departments on campus, for example: drugs, books, instruments, microscopes, etc.
Students in the College of Veterinary Medicine are on an honor system during examinations. They are asked to sign and abide by a Student Honor Code Agreement. The faculty may or may not proctor examinations but are available to answer questions and assist with the evaluation process. If a student knows or suspects another student has committed acts of academic dishonesty, s/he is expected to report the incident to the instructor and the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs.