The Committee for Academic Standing and Professional Progress shall initiate, establish and review policies pertaining to academic standards and shall make recommendations to the Dean and the Executive Committee in regard to awarding of honors, academic requirements, advancement of students and the granting of diplomas and degrees.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
| Name | Department | |
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| Susan Larson, PhD, Chair | Professor | Anatomical Sciences |
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| Basic Science | ||
| Maricedes Acosta, PhD | Associate Professor | Physiology and Biophysics |
| Paul Fisher, MD, PhD | Professor | Pharmacological Sciences |
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| Clinical | ||
| Igor Izrailtyan, MD, FACC | Associate Professor | Anesthesiology |
| Dona Meltzer, MD | Associate Professor | Family, Population and Preventive Medicine |
| Reza Dashti, MD, PhD | Associate Professor | Neurosurgery |
| Kristen Calabro, MD, MBS | Assistant Professor | Surgery (Pediatric Surgery) |
| Kaveh Sadigh, MD, MPH | Assistant Professor | Medicine |
| Olga Syritsyna, MD | Assistant Professor | Neurology |
| Eva Swoboda, MD | Assistant Professor | OB/GYN |
| Ayse Bag Ozbek, MD | Associate Professor | Medicine |
| Alison Caruana, DO | Assistant Professor | Neurology |
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| Veterans Affairs (VA) | ||
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| Ex officio | ||
| Jack Fuhrer, MD | Clinical Professor, Infectious Diseases | Associate Dean of Admissions |
| Andrew Wacket, MD | Undergrad Medical Education | Vice Dean |
| David Cohen, MD | Undergrad Medical Education | Student Affairs |
| Lisa Strano-Paul, MD | Undergrad Medical Education | Clinical Education |
Committee on Academic and Professional Progress (CAPP) Operational Policy
I. Introduction
The Committee on Academic and Professional Progress (CAPP) is charged by the Faculty Senate of the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) to oversee students' adherence to RSOM’s academic and professional standards. CAPP is tasked with making decisions regarding academic standing and professional progress and ensures that students are meeting the established expectations for success.
CAPP is composed of faculty members from both basic science and clinical departments, as well as representatives from other educational sites, such as the VA. Ex officio members from the Dean’s Office include the Vice Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Dean of Admissions, and the Associate Dean for Clinical Education. Additionally, four elected student representatives, one from each class of medical students, serve as non-voting members and participate in all deliberations.
CAPP meets monthly to review student progress, deliberate on cases, and make decisions. Faculty members are the only voting members on the committee.
II. Criteria for Referral to CAPP
Students may be referred to CAPP for review based on various academic or professional concerns, including but not limited to:
• Accumulation of five exam failures in Phase I.
• Failure of two Phase I courses in one academic year.
• Failure of two or more NBME exams in Phase II.
• Failure of a clinical clerkship in Phase II.
• Behavioral or professionalism concerns at any time during their education.
If a student is identified for review, they will receive a letter of invitation to the next CAPP meeting from the Chair of CAPP.
III. Student Rights in CAPP Proceedings
Meeting Format
CAPP meetings are closed, except for invited individuals. All deliberations are confidential.
Advocates
Students may bring a Renaissance School of Medicine medical student or faculty member as an advocate to the meeting. Legal representation is not permitted, and the proceedings of the meeting cannot be recorded by the student or advocate.
Written Statements
Students may submit a written statement for distribution to the committee before or during the meeting.
IV. Decision-Making and Actions
CAPP will review the student's academic record, any submitted statements, and other relevant documents to determine appropriate actions. Actions may include, but are not limited to:
• A letter of warning
• Remediation plan
• Dismissal
CAPP will notify the student of its decision in writing within ten days of the review. The decision is final unless subject to the appeal processes outlined below.
V. Appeal Process
Non-Dismissal Decisions:
Decisions other than dismissal, suspension, or repeating a year may be appealed back to CAPP if:
• Pertinent evidence was available at the time of the initial review but was not presented to CAPP, or
• There was an error in the review process.
If an appeal is filed, CAPP will review the case and notify the student of its determination within 30 days. This decision is final.
Dismissal, Suspension, or Repeat Year Decisions:
Decisions resulting in dismissal, suspension, or the repetition of a year may be appealed to the Dean of the School of Medicine. The student must submit an appeal within 14 calendar days of receiving the CAPP decision.
• If no appeal is submitted within 14 days, the CAPP decision becomes final and effective on the 15th day.
• If an appeal is submitted, CAPP’s decision is held in abeyance pending the outcome of the appeal.
The Dean of the School of Medicine will review the student’s file and consult with the Chair of CAPP and other relevant parties before making a final decision. The Dean will communicate the final decision to the student within 30 days.
VI. Recusal Policy
Any member of CAPP with a conflict of interest regarding a student case must recuse themselves from the presentation, deliberation, and vote. A conflict of interest exists under the following conditions:
• The member is the director of a course, clerkship, or translational pillar that prompted the referral.
• The member has a familial or social relationship with the student (e.g., significant other, family member, or close personal relationship).
• The member has a financial interest in the outcome of the case.
• The member has provided health services to the student.
• The member is aware of any bias that could impair judgment.
• The member has participated or intends to participate in another level of review regarding the student’s case.
VII. Review and Actions for Non-Advancement
Circumstances that may lead to a student decision not to advance to the next academic period include:
• Failure of two Phase I courses.
• Failure of six or more Phase I exams.
• Failure of two or more clerkships in Phase II.
• Accumulation of multiple Zs due to failures of NBME clerkship subject exams.
In these cases, the student will be invited to a CAPP meeting where their entire academic record will be reviewed in context, and the student will have the opportunity to present their perspective.
VIII. Time Limits for Completion of Degree Requirements
Students must complete Phase I within three and a half years after their initial enrollment. A maximum of two attempts are allowed to complete Phase I.
All requirements for the MD degree must be completed within seven years of first enrollment (five years for transfer students after the first year).
Time spent in dual degree programs (e.g., MSTP) does not count toward this limit.
Students failing to meet these time limits are subject to review by CAPP and may be dismissed.
IX. Dismissal Criteria
Reasons for dismissal include, but are not limited to:
• Failure to pass the NBME Step 1 exam after four attempts.
• Failure to maintain academic integrity or professional standards.
• Failure to meet the above mentioned time limits
In such cases, CAPP will review the student's case and, if necessary, vote on dismissal.
X. Pre-CAPP Review Process
Before a student's case is brought to CAPP, it is discussed in a "Pre-CAPP" meeting attended by the CAPP Chair, Associate and Assistant Deans for Student Affairs, the Registrar, medical education specialists, and learning specialists. Following this discussion, the CAPP Chair determines whether the student should be invited to a CAPP meeting.
XI. Conclusion
CAPP is entrusted with ensuring that students meet academic and professional standards throughout their medical education. Through fair review processes, CAPP aims to support students in their development and success while upholding the integrity of the Renaissance School of Medicine.
