The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine gives you a warm Welcome

San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs
Students Manual
Academic Year 2011-2012

Table of Content
Student Affairs Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Policies and Procedures: Promotion and
Grading System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
General Student Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine gives you a warm
welcome.
The objective of this manual is to guide you through the
services available for the student community. Also it meant to
familiarize you with the institutional norms and policies. If you have
questions, inquires or suggestions regarding this manual, please feel
free to contact us. They will be greatly appreciated.
We wish you success throughout the years you will be with us,
as you move forward to achieve your goals in our Medical School.
The Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs is here to
serve you!
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Associate Dean for Student Affairs Office
The Associate Dean for Students Affairs Office of the San Juan Bautista
School of Medicine has the responsibility to provide the services that will support
the achievement of the institutional mission. Its purpose is to promote the
development and well-being of the students, providing student services they may
need to complete their studies. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs responds
directly to the President/Dean of Medicine.
Student’s Services Directory
The following areas are assigned to the Associate Dean of Student’s
Office. For your convenience, we have included the schedule and staff in charge,
as well as a brief description of the services:
Office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Dra. Nélida Rivera Gonzalez 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Ext. 256
* By appointment
- Mrs. Maggie González Pabellón
Administrative Secretary
Ext. 255
Counseling and Advisory Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Mrs. Ilsa Centeno 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Counselor
Ext. 240
Student Programs Coordination Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Mrs. Yaidy L. Cruz Cordero 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Reasonable Accommodation, Careers in Medicine® Programs Coordinator,
ERAS & Match Program
Ext. 250
Registrar Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Mrs. Lissette Torres Rodríguez 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Registrar
Ext. 243
- Mrs. Rebbeca Amill
Secretary
Ext. 225
Admissions Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Mrs. Jaymi Sánchez Cruz 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Admissions Officer
Ext. 236
Financial Aid Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Mrs. Beatriz De León Rivera 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Financial Aid Officer
Ext. 268
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Admissions
Admission is the final process for students who want to start their career in
medicine. They should have complied with all the institutional requirements and
have been recommended by the Institution’s Admissions Committee.
Pursuant to the institutional policies, the San Juan Bautista School of
Medicine does not discriminate in term of place of birth, sex, ethnic group, age,
color, origins, social status, physical handicaps, political or religious beliefs,
sexual preferences, or civil status. We believe in the integrity of all human beings
and their freedom to decide the field of action in which they want to perform.
All applicants are equally evaluated, taking into consideration their
academic and personal qualifications. The analysis for admission to the School
of Medicine includes their academic achievement, basic studies required to enter
the program and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score. The
motivations to study medicine, leadership qualities, ability to relate to other
people and resolve problems, and their participation in community and scientific
activities will also be considered.
The admission requirements for the Public Health Master Program and the
Bachelor Degree in Science of Nursing are included in the Manual of Procedures
for Evaluation, Selection and Admission to each program.
Counseling Services
The Counselor has the main responsibility of providing individual and
group counseling to students. The mission of this office is to help students
identify and deal with situations that may affect them with their academic
progress and personal development. The office may refer particular cases to
external mental health professionals. Also, faculty members have been identified
as mentors, who advise students regarding problems related to their academic
performance and career development.
The Counselor’s Office offers the following services to students:
Individual and group counseling.
Coordination and referals to psychological and psychiatric services.
Coordination of workshops that assist students in achieving their personal
development.
Serves as a liaison between students, Faculty, and administration personnel.
Assists in providing information related to the USMLE steps and the Puerto
Rico Board of Medical Examiners and the dates of the Boards Examinations
Coordination of cultural activities
Provide information related with housing.
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Financial Aid
The purpose of Financial Aid Office is to provide assistance to qualified
students to obtain the financial resources they need to pay their cost of
attendance. Students may be eligible for the following financial aid options,
according to their academic study program:
Pell Grant: A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell
Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a
bachelor's or a professional degree. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2011-12
award year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) is $5,550. The amount you get, though,
will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school,
your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a
full academic year or less.
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Graduate students who meet the requirements established by the US Department of
Education may receive $20,500 ($8,500-Subsidized and $12,000-Unsubsidized) per
academic year. Medical students may be eligible to apply for an additional $20,000. in
unsubsidized loan. The interest rate is 6.80%. Undergraduate students who do not
qualify for Pell Grant may consider apply for a federal loan. The Financial Aid Office
provides orientation about the process to apply for student loans, and the requirement
the student must meet to qualify. The student must submit a master promissory note
on line, and complete an electronic entrance counseling at StudentLoan.gov.
Graduate Plus Loan
This is a low fixed-interest loan for graduate and professional students to cover their
cost of attendance. The interest rate is 7.90% (fixed) begins to accrue since the date
of the first disbursement. The loan has an origination fee of 4%. The student must
submit a master promissory note on line, and complete an electronic entrance
counseling.
The following are financial aid option for medical students only:
Military Scholarship Programs
Medical students interested in a military career may consider apply for one of the
scholarships programs for healthcare professions offered by the US Army, the US Air
Force or the National Guard. The students must contact the desired program:
US Army: 1-800-USA-ARMY or www.healthcare.goarmy.com
US Air Force: 1-800-423-USAF or www.AIRFORCE.COM
Navy: 1-800-USA-NAVY OR NAVY.COM
National Guard: 1-800-GO-GUARD or www.1-800-go-guard.com.
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National Health Services Corps Scholarship Program: available for students in
the primary health care specialties and committed to serving part or all of their career
in federally designated health professional shortage area. Learn more about this
program at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov
Scholarship for Disadvantage Students: This program provides scholarships to fulltime,
financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled in the
medical program. A medical student may be eligible to apply for this scholarship if
come from a disadvantaged background, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. The requirements and application procedure will be announced
by the Financial Aid Office.
Legislative Scholarships: This scholarship is administered by the University of
Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus manages this program. Medical students
interested to apply for this scholarship must contact the aforementioned Institution,
which is the one that determines the eligibility and guidelines for the distribution of
financial aid. The amount of money granted varies depending of the student’s
financial needs. For more information contact the UPR-MSC at (787) 758-2525.
Application process:
Students interested in applying for federal financial aid, must comply with
the following requirements and process:
• Have financial need.
• Be an US Citizen or an Eligible Non-Citizen.
• Have a valid social security number.
• Enroll in an eligible program as a regular student working toward a
degree.
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards
• Register (or have registered) with the Selective Service if you are a male
between the ages of 18 and 25.
• Certify that are not in default on a federal student loan and that do not owe
money on a Federal student grant.
• Student can not exceed the aggregate loan limit established by the
Department of Education.
• Comply with the Entrance Interview/Counseling.
• Provide all the documents and information required by the Financial Aid
Office and Admissions Office.
Students must fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) of
the corresponding academic year, in order to be evaluated to determine eligibility
for federal and state funds. It must be submitted on line at www.fafsa.gov, no
later than April 15. The SJBSM school code is G3177300. Students need a pin
number, which can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov.
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Once the student submits the FAFSA, the Department of Education will
send an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to the School, which will
be used for the corresponding evaluation. After the evaluation is completed, the
student will be appointed by the Financial Aid Officer for the completion of the
application process, or because he/she must submit additional information.
Required documents:
• Social Security card (original and copy)
• US Passport or birth certificate (original and copy)
• Documents of Immigration (if applicable)
• Students selected for verification will be required to submit a copy of the
Tax Return, W-2 form(s) and evidence of wages, salaries, tips, etc,
reported on the FAFSA
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
Federal regulations require that every student who receives federal
financial aid make a satisfactory academic progress toward the achievement of a
degree. Progress is measure by the student’s cumulative grade point average
and credits earned in relation to those attempted and the length of the academic
program. Please, read the satisfactory academic progress policy included on the
Institutional Policies and Executive Orders manual.
Title IV Federal Programs Funds Reimbursement Policy
This policy will apply to students that participate in the Title IV Federal
Programs (Pell Federal Grant) and withdraw, or are dismissed from the School
after having started to assist to classes but within the sixty per cent (60%) of the
semester’s term. This is a mandatory policy in accordance with the changes of
the 1998 Reauthorization Law to the Higher Education Act, as amended, and is
in force for all withdrawals and dismisses that come about in or after October 7,
2000.
Important information regarding student loans
It’s important to be aware that a student loan is a legally binding contract
between the student-borrower and the lender. Under this contract, the borrower
has certain rights and responsibilities which are indicated below:
Borrower rights
• Borrowers have the right to receive a copy of the promissory note from
the lender when the loan is made. They may request the note when
the loan has been paid in full.
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• The borrower may prepay all or part of the loan at any time without
penalty.
• The borrower will receive written notification if the loan(s) are sold to
another lender or secondary party.
• The borrower may qualify to defer repayment for a specific period of
time after the grace period.
• The lender will provide a repayment schedule and detailed information
about interest rates, fees, the balance owed and repayment options
available before the borrower begins repaying the loan(s). This
information is discussed in the Entrance Counseling.
Borrower responsibilities
• Borrowers must attend an exit interview when they leave school.
• The borrower must notify the lender or loan servicer of any change in
name, contact information and enrollment status.
• The borrower must repay the principal and interest on all education
loans according to the terms of the promissory note.
• Borrowers must notify the servicer/lender if they are unable to make a
scheduled payment.
• Borrowers are obligated to repay the loan(s) even if they are not fully
satisfied with the education or have not completed the program.
• For subsidized and unsubsidized loans, repayment begins six months
after the student graduates or is enrolled less than half time. The
repayment amount will vary based upon the total amount borrowed.
The borrower has a maximum of 10 years in which to repay the
loan(s).
• The borrower may prepay all or part of any loan(s) without penalty.
Prepayment gets the borrower out of debt faster and results in lower
total interest costs.
Remember, when a student accepts a loan, he/she has agreed to the loan
terms and conditions by signing the Promissory Note. Terms and conditions of
the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Loan programs are the same with a
few exceptions.
The aggregate maximum that a medical student may borrow is $224,000
($65,500 in subsidized loans). For other academic programs, the aggregate
maximum is lower.
Repayment Options
There are different repayment plans, which are discussed with the student
during the Entrance and Exit Interview.
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Loan Consolidation
Borrowers may consolidate some or all of the federal education loans they
receive into one loan with one monthly payment. Borrowers must have begun
repayment of loan(s) or be in the grace period before consolidating loans. Loan
consolidation can benefit borrowers who have several loans from different
sources and a combined monthly payment that is more than they can handle.
Deferment
A deferment is when the lender/servicer grants a temporary suspension of
monthly payments. A student may qualify for a deferment, according to the
following:
• Economic hardship
• Unemployment
• Enrolled in school full-time of half-time
• Engaged in an approved graduate fellowship program
• In a military or providing
Forbearance
If the borrower does not meet the requirement for a deferment, he/she
may qualify for a forbearance. With a forbearance, the lender or servicer
temporary lowers or suspends the payments. If the borrower does not pay the
interest the forbearance, it will accrue and be added to the borrower’s balance
when forbearance ends.
Delinquency
A loan that is being repaid becomes delinquent whenever a borrower fails
to make a scheduled payment by the due date. The lender must attempt to make
contact with the borrower both by written and telephone contact at specific
stages during the student's delinquency. If borrowers encounter problems
during the repayment period, they must ask the lender what options are available
to keep the loan out of "delinquent" or "default" status.
Consequences of default
Defaulting on a student loan can have very serious consequences for
schools, borrowers, lenders and guarantors. High-default colleges and
universities may lose their eligibility to participate in the federal student-loan
program. Defaulted borrowers suffer a blot on their records that will prevent them
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from receiving additional federal financial aid for college and may deny them
consumer credit for years to come. If a borrower defaults on a loan, one or more
of the following may occur:
• The entire unpaid amount of the loan(s), as well as accrued interest, is
immediately due and payable.
• Holds may be placed on college records.
• The borrower will become ineligible to receive further federal student
financial assistance.
• State income tax refunds may be seized.
• The borrower's federal and state income-tax refunds may be seized.
• The guarantor may notify the borrower's employer to garnish the
borrower's wages.
• The borrower may be charged reasonable attorney's fees and other
collection costs.
• The federal government is authorized to garnish federal salary checks for
defaulters in public service.
• If the borrower fails to make education-loan payments on time, the
delinquency and any subsequent default will be reported to national credit
bureaus. This report seriously affects the borrower's credit rating and may
affect the borrower's ability to borrow from sources in the future.
• The loan holder may refer the account to a collection agency.
• The borrower may be exposed to civil suit.
• The borrower may lose repayment options.
• The borrower loses deferment options.
• Borrowers who default on a student-loan obligation still must make
payments to the holder of the loan.
Keep the servicer Informed
The borrower must notify the servicer or holder of the loan if, before
the loan is repaid, one or more of the following changes occurs:
• Change in borrower's name.
• Change in borrower's graduation date.
• Borrower leaves school or falls below half-time enrollment status (less
than six credit hours).
• Change in borrower's address
• Borrower transfers to another school.
• Change in borrower's telephone number.
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Registrar’s Office
The Registrar’s Office has the responsibility to maintain and safeguard all
students’ and alumni academic records, as well as to coordinate all matters
related to the registration process. It also offers the services of mailing official
grades, transcripts, NBME Certifications for USMLE exams, the Medical Student
Performance Evaluation (MSPE) form, among others. The Registrar’s Office
looks after the security and inviolability of academic records. Any student that
needs copy of their academic record should follow certain rules described in the
Catalog.
No information whatsoever from the files of applicants, students or
graduates is disclosed without written authorization. The San Juan Bautista
School of Medicine complies with the requirements of the Buckley Act (Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, FERPA), and ensures
the privacy of all information regarding applicants, students and alumni.
Students, who wish to withdraw from the Institution or is willing to be awarded a
leave of absence, must visit the Registrar’s Office.
Student Programs Coordination Office
The Student Programs Coordination Office is in charge of the Reasonable
Accommodations and Careers in Medicine ® Programs/ERAS and Match
Program.
Reasonable Accommodations Program
The Reasonable Accommodations Program promotes and ensures that no
student with a documented disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from
participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under the educational
programs and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section
504), and applicable state law.
The student must request the reasonable accommodations needed as
recommended by the appropriate professional, by submitting a completed
Reasonable Accommodations Request Form. The coordinator must verify
whether or not a student has a documented disability that significantly impacts
his/her ability to access educational programs, and will determine the
appropriateness of a requested accommodation on an individualized basis.
All medical records relating to student’s disabilities are kept confidential in
a file separated from academic records.
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Careers in Medicine ® Program / ERAS and Match Program
The main goal of the Careers in Medicine ® Program is to help the student
learn how to make good career decisions, not only in choosing a specialty, but
throughout his/her career as a physician, by means of a thoughtful career
planning process. The coordinator is responsible for coordinating program
activities sponsored by the school, such as workshops and events. The
coordinator coordinate the Electronic and Residency Application Services
(ERAS) and the Match Program.
Financial Office
This Office has the responsibility to charge for the different items in which
the student incur at the time of registration, in addition to other services, such as
credit transcripts, certificates, among others. The Office is in charge of
processing the checks received from the Stafford Loans and endorsing the
checks from Graduate Supplementary Aid (Educational Opportunity Act), and
other financial aids received by the student.
Tuition Fees Reimbursement
The refund policy will be governed by the regulations of the United States
Department of Education.
According to the Federal Code Title 38 of the Veterans Administration (CFR-
38), the veterans and/or their beneficiaries must complete their studies in the
regular four-year program.
Veteran’s Benefits
According to the Federal Code of Title 38 of the Veteran’’s Administration
(CFR-38), the veterans and their beneficiaries must complete their studies in a
regular four years program.
III. Other Student Services
Extracurricular Activities Program
The Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs devise an activities
program according to the students needs and interests. These include cultural,
sports and community service activities, among others. Students are encouraged
to participate. Announcements are posted on bulletin boards, send via email to
each student and promoted through the General Council of Students.
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Lodging Information
The Counseling Office provides information on lodging available in the
Caguas area. Students are warned about different aspects to be considered
when selecting a place to live while they study. Some of these aspects are:
services offered, cost and mode of payment and penalties that would apply if
contract is terminated before its completion. It is important to know if electrical
devices and appliances can be used. It is highly recommended that the place you
choose is secure and safe, clean, well ventilated and in an environment that is
study friendly.
Health Services
All students are required to have health insurance that provides medical
coverage. Upon enrollment the student must present evidence to that effect or
register for the Group Insurance Coverage made available by the school. Our
Insurance Plan covers medical and surgical services, ambulatory care,
hospitalization, specialty consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays studies and
maternity. The students are insured under a contract, in a yearly base, during the
period time of each academic program. This insurance provides coverage
anywhere in Puerto Rico, twenty-four (24) hours a day. The fee or premium can
vary.
The School is located on the San Juan Bautista Medical Center grounds.
When necessary, the students are referred to the Emergency Room of the
SJBMC.
The Counselor and Faculty have developed a Wellness Handbook that
addresses the most common challenges and issues faced by the students,
available resources, clear referral information, a symptom checklist and decision
trees to also facilitate the student’s self referral The counselor acts as a liaison/
on behalf of the student establishing contact with professionals needed to tend to
the student’s needs. If a Faculty member or the counselor becomes aware of a
students need for services, they are to be offered to the student on a voluntary
basis. In cases where there is a potential harm to him/herself or others, the
student will be referred to appropriated specialist.
Disability Insurance
The School has arrangements with a local carrier for group insurance to
provide a disability benefits plan to secure coverage for students in case a
disease or an accident renders students disabled/unable to continue/complete
their studies. The annual fee the student will pay will vary according to the
student’s age upon registering and whether or not the student smokes. This
disability coverage also assures that our school is in compliance with the
requirements of accreditation agencies.
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Student Organizations
The Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs encourages student
organizations. Any group of students who are interested in organizing or creating
an association with religious, sports or academic purposes is welcome to do so.
We request that groups’ activities relate to the institutional objectives. To obtain
official status for the student organizations, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs
need to receive a letter requesting the approval and a proposal plan for the
development of the group.
The following are some of our Medical School’s student
organizations:
General Student Council
The General Student Council is established to insure full participation for
students in all matters regarding their studies and relationship with the San Juan
Bautista Medical School. It constitutes the official forum where analisis,
discussions and study of the student’s needs and aspirations are done and
where opinions are put forth regarding any problems or issues related to the
community as a whole. Students who are interested in becoming a member must
meet the requirements listed in the Student Regulations Handbook. Each of the
four levels of the school of medicine and each level of the Public Health Master
Program the Bachelor Degree in Science of Nursing are represented in the
student body. For the election of the representatives of each level will be elected
by and between the students of their respective academic group.
The following list include the student organizations:
General Student Council
Pediatric Interest Group
Psychiatric Interest Group
Surgery and Surgical Subspecialty Interest Group
Emergency Medicine Student Association
Asociación de Neuropsiquiatria
IHI “Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Family Medicine Interest Group
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AMA (American Medical Association) SJB Chapter
Obstetric and Gynecology & Women’s Health Interest Group
Anesthesiology Interest Group
Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group
Association of Christian Students
Identification card
During the enrollment period, the Institution provides an identification card
to all the students. It is to be used for all curricular and extracurricular activities. It
must be placed in a visible spot whenever you are in the Medical School and
hospital areas. Your right to student services will be honored when you are
properly identified with your I.D. Card. In case of lose you may obtain a duplicate
for a charge of $10.00 at the Dean of Administrations office. The card must be
surrendered when a student withdraws from the program or requests leave.
Discipline
The San Juan Bautista Medical School of Medicine stimulates students to
exhibit correct and proper attitudes, in accordance with that which is expected of
a member of the medical profession. When initiating his studies, each student is
counseled and informed about the norms and institutional policies, which they
are expected to follow. Students are also briefed on the disciplinary actions
imposed when the established rules are not obeyed.
Code of Honor
The code of honor is an individual and collective commitment by all
students enrolled in the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. The Code
includes:
- A commitment to honesty and integrity related to academic responsibilities
including examinations, information, presentations, classwork, group work,
patient care and other aspects.
- A commitment to exhibit, honest and respectful behavior at all times in
agreement with ethical norms of social coexistence, that include how you relate
to professors, peers, patients and administrative personnel.
- A commitment to guard that the code of honor is kept by all the other students.
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The faculty expresses its commitment to the Code of Honor and its
confidence in the honor of the students. It will assure and create the conditions
necessary for the code to be kept and make sure that it is also kept by all the
other members of the academic community.
The following behaviors, among others, constitute violations to the code of
honor:
Plagiarism in any form; in an active or passive way.
Violation to intellectual property
Alteration of any academic registry or official document
Nonauthorized help to complete any academic endeavor.
Verbal or physical violence towards any patient or member of the
academic community
Violation to medical files.
Violation to the norms of medical ethics and respect to the patients.
Complicity in violation of the Code of Honor.
Confidentiality of Patient Information
Confidentiality in the handing of information pertaining to patient
care is an ethical and legal obligation for the Institution. The San Juan
Bautista School of Medicine is committed to this obligation in an explicit
manner by implementing the code of honor for the students and the norms
established by the law that guarantees confidentiality in health care,
better known by its abbreviation HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act) the 1996. HIPAA establishes the norms that
guarantee privacy, security in electronic handling of the information of
health related services which require important institutional
transformations that are currently being developed and that include all
information system processing.
Dress Code
All students must dress appropriately as future professional in the health
sciences field. There is a dress code that must be followed. No student who is
unsuitably dressed will be allowed on the Institution’s grounds. When selecting
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the clothes to wear you should always try to project a neat and professional look.
The following attire is unacceptable on school grounds:
Short skirts extra (half of thigh)
Pronounced necklines
Short shirts or blouses
Short pants
Bermuda type Jeans that are torn, very worn away stained
Beach Sandals or similar type shoe attire
Sleeveless shirts
Transparent shirts
Hats or Caps
Sport shoes, sneakers or worn out dirty shoes.
Laboratory Code
Medical students will have to dress appropriately not only on the school
grounds but also during the laboratory sessions. The following code must be
observed:
Green dressing gowns will be used during the laboratory sessions.
No one dressed in green gown is allowed outside of the laboratory
area.
Students will wear white dressing gowns in the library, halls,
Classrooms, amphitheatre, professors offices, cafeteria or during
activities in the Hospital.
Dressing gowns must be clean, ironed and free of spots.
Remember to use:
Official Identification card
Clean and ironed gowns
Laboratory coats
Gowns outside of Lab-White
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Policies and
Procedures
Promotion and Grading System
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The Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee is responsible for evaluating
and recommending promotion of students throughout the different stages of
study. Promotions are granted at the end of each academic year, following
compliance with established criteria, including satisfactory completion of all
requirements of the previous year.
The minimum cumulative grade point average required to be promoted to the
next year is 2.5 within a 4.0 scale.
The School of Medicine uses the following grading system:
A = Excellent
B = Good
C = Satisfactory
D = Deficient
F = Failure
I = Incomplete
W = Withdrawal
When a student has a valid reason for not completing a required course, the
professor may give a grade of “I” (Incomplete). Biomedical Sciences students
must remove the Incomplete before the beginning of the next academic
semester; otherwise they will receive an “F” grade in the course.
Clinical Sciences students who receive a grade of “I” (Incomplete) must complete
the pending academic work before the academic year ends; otherwise, they will
receive a grade of “F.”
Students are entitled to request from the professor a revision of the official grade
received. The request for revision of a final grade must be submitted in writing to
the Course Coordinator within thirty (30) calendar days following the notification
of grades by the Registrar’s Office. A copy of the request must be submitted to
the Registrar’s Office within the established timeframe. The professor will discuss
the request with the student and will notify the Registrar’s Office of the outcome
in writing within ten (10) calendar days.
Students who fail a course will have to register for the course again, pay the
corresponding fee, repeat, and pass the course before being promoted.
Repeated courses will be recorded with an “R” next to the grade obtained. A
student will be allowed to repeat the same course only once.
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Students who are interested in repeating a failed course at another school of
medicine should apply in writing for authorization by the President/Dean before
registering. The President/Dean will evaluate such applications, and students will
be notified in writing of the decision. The courses that will be authorized will be
those of the same academic level, offered by medical schools accredited by the
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The Registrar’s Office of the
other school has to notify the SJBSM Registrar’s Office directly with transcripts of
grades received by SJBSM students. The Registrar’s Office will not record
grades of any courses that have not been authorized following this procedure.
Students who fail a clinical clerkship/course elective shall register and pay the
corresponding fees, repeat, and pass the clerkship/course before being
promoted. The repeated clerkship/course will be recorded in the academic record
with an “R” next to the grade obtained. A student will be allowed to repeat the
same clinical clerkship or elective only once. In the event the student decides to
take an elective other than the one that was failed, the “F” grade of the previous
elective will be included when calculating the student’s grade point average.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
In order to meet the federal requirements and comply with the U.S. Department
of Education requirements for eligibility for federal student financial aid, the San
Juan Bautista School of Medicine has established a Satisfactory Academic
Progress Policy.
The federal student aid programs of Title IV require that every student receiving
aid funds must meet the criteria established in the Satisfactory Academic
Progress Policy. This policy has six (6) important elements:
Element #1: Completed Credits and Minimum Grade Point Average
The first factor to consider in the evaluation is the number of completed credits,
compared with the number of credits attempted by each student, and the
minimum grade point average required. Annually the San Juan Bautista School
of Medicine will determine the satisfactory academic progress of each student, in
which the student must meet the required credits established by year of study,
with the minimum grade point average as shown below:
21

Four-Year Regular Program
Year of Study
Minimum Percentage of
Complete Credits
1 50% 2.50
2 60% 2.50
3 66% 2.50
4 --------- 2.50
Minimum Grade
Point Average
Five Years Special Program
Year of Study Minimum Percentage of
Complete Credits
1 50% 2.50
2 57% 2.50
3 60% 2.50
4 66% 2.50
5 ------- 2.50
Minimum Grade
Point Average
The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine considers as attempted credits the
following: completed courses, failed courses, repeated courses, withdrawals, and
incomplete courses at the moment the satisfactory academic progress of each
student is being evaluated.
Element #2: Maximum Time Frame in Credits
A student is expected to complete the academic program in a maximum time
frame of 1.5 times the length of the program in credits, which for the Doctor of
Medicine program means:
178 credits x 1.5 = 267 credits (maximum time frame)
For advanced standing students admitted to the third year of the program, the
maximum time frame will be determined by subtracting the number of credits of
their first two years (94 credits in Biomedical Sciences) from the total program
credits. Thus, satisfactory academic progress will be measured by 84 credits
instead of 178 credits, as shown here:
178 credits – 94 credits = 84 credits
84 credits x 1.5 = 126 credits (maximum time frame)
22

Element #3: Maximum Chronological Time
To establish the maximum chronological time allowed within this policy, the
possibility of a leave of absence of one year or a change of program has been
considered:
Program
Four-Year Regular Program
Five-Year Decelerated Program
Maximum Chronological Time to
Complete Program
Maximum Time of Five Years
Maximum Time of Six Year
Element #4: Probation and Suspension
If a student does not meet the satisfactory progress standards, in terms of
approved credits and minimum grade point average (element #1), or does not
complete the program by the maximum time frame established (element #2), or
does not complete the program by the maximum chronological time established
(element #3), then the Year Curriculum Subcommittee will determine if the
student is to be suspended from the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, or if
the student must repeat the year. If the Year Curriculum Subcommittee
determines that the student must repeat the year, a specific recommendation will
be submitted to the President/Dean for approval. The President /Dean makes the
final decision. The student will be in academic probation and will still be eligible
for financial aid. However, if the student fails again during probation, he/she will
be evaluated by the Year Curriculum Subcommittee to determine if the student
should be suspended from the School.
Element #5: Veterans
The elements that establish the maximum time frame and the maximum
chronological time to complete the program do not apply to veterans’ aid
beneficiaries. These students must complete the program during the regular time
established in the curricular scheme. They will not be able to continue receiving
financial aid for those credits that exceed the usual curricular scheme and time
frame.
23

Element #6: Changes to the Academic Program or Requirements
Any changes made to the academic program or to the requirements for program
completion will apply only to those students admitted on or after the effective
date of the curricular program changes.
Re-examination and Calculation of Final Grades
Biomedical Sciences
Students who obtain a “D” grade in any course will be given a comprehensive
exam, according to the schedule posted by the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs (Biomedical Sciences). Students must pass the exam with a “C” grade or
higher; otherwise, the student is considered to have failed the course.
Regardless of the grade obtained in the comprehensive exam (A, B or C), his/her
final grade for the course will be a “C.”
Clinical Sciences
The evaluation of the student’s performance during clerkships includes practical
clinical aspects and written examinations. The student must complete the clinical
case presentations and pass the clinical competence requirements prior to taking
the final written examination.
Third and Fourth Year
For third and fourth year students, the final grade will be the result of the
following formula:
Grade for written exams (multiple choice exams and subject exams
from the NBME
Grade for practical evaluation (clinical by faculty, OSCE, CCX, and oral
presentations
40%
60%
The evaluation of students will include a narrative description of clinical
performance in all the required competencies.
The student who obtains a “D” grade in the written evaluation will have the
opportunity to be reexamined. The student must pass this second exam with a
24

“C” grade or higher; otherwise, he/she is considered to have failed the clerkship,
and the student will have to register for and repeat the clerkship. Regardless of
the grade obtained in the exam (A, B or C), the final grade for the written
component will be a “C.”
Since the grade from the reexamination is part of the clinical evaluation, the
grade should be accorded a fair perentage. The following scale will be used to
give the “C” of the make-up exam a percentage, which will be considered for the
final grade.
% of Replacement Exam Final % of “C”
90% - 100% 79%
80% - 89% 75%
70%-79% 70%
A student who receives an “F” grade in the written evaluation must register for
and repeat the clerkship, including all clinical experiences.
Students who obtain a “D” grade in the practical evaluation must repeat the
clerkship.
Students who fail two clerkships will be individually evaluated by the Year
Curriculum Subcommittee to determine whether they must repeat the year or
withdraw from School. A student is permitted to repeat only one year and only for
justifiable reasons. The Year Curriculum Subcommittee considers special cases
on an individual basis, and their recommendation is forwarded to the
President/Dean for final decision.
25

GENERAL
STUDENT
REGULATIONS
26

Article I. Legal Base
GENERAL STUDENT REGULATIONS
CHAPTER I
DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE
The Board of Trustees approves the General Student regulations in
accordance with the power that confers the First Section, Third Article of the
Corporate Regulations that gives to life to San Juan Bautista School of Medicine.
Article II. Declaration of Intentions
This Regulation is approved to the aims to fulfill the objectives of San Juan
Bautista School of Medicine expressed in their Corporate Regulations; in order to
offer education of excellence to enabled students; to recognize the rights of the
students in harmony with these objectives to establish the necessary and
essential norms that they cause the best relations among the students; between
these and the faculty, the administration of the School, its patients and the
administration of the hospitals where they receive his/her clinical training; and to
guarantee the conditions of coexistence that allow to the total formation of the
student and the development of the conscience of service to the Puerto Rican
community.
In its consideration and study all the university community has
participated; students, faculty, the administration of the School and finally was
approved by the Board of Trustees.
CHAPTER II
RIGHTS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENTS
The students constitute the main component and of greater importance in
the community of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine; therefore, they will
enjoy the right to participate indeed in the operation of the School and will have
all the duties of moral and educational responsibility that by their nature are
forced.
27

Article I.
Rights
A. The main right of the student of our Institution is to acquire knowledge and to
be educated, without this one is limited the activity in the hall classes, but that
extends to the relations and experiences with its companions, professors,
officials and personnel of the School, patients, officials and personnel of the
hospitals and the community in general. When exerting this right will do it
without obstructing the one of the other members of the community of the San
Juan Bautista School of Medicine.
B. Each student has the right to receive, from the beginning of the course or
clinical rotation, the written sketch or agenda that will prevail, in general
terms, the development of the education of this course or clinical rotation,
including a clear exposition of the objectives. The student will be able to
comment out, questions constructive critics to these within the university spirit
and the due academic rigor. The syllabus or agenda constitutes a guide and
of no way it will limit the necessary flexibility of the courses.
C. The students will have the right to know the evaluation system and the criteria
that will be used in each course to determine their advantage.
D. The educative process is not limited to the classrooms. Therefore, the
student will have the right to meet with the professor in his office hours to ask
for direction and to clarify aspects of his/her academic learning, as well as to
receive information and to engage in a dialog on the taken tests or other
additional works, the qualifications obtained from these, the evaluation of the
course like essential part of the learning process and other aspects that
concerns to the relation student-professor.
E. As part of the educational process, the students will be able to defer in a
respectful and reasonable manner from the criteria, data and opinions
presented by the professors.
F. It will not be discriminated by, neither way will be taken in consideration
religious creed, the political ideas, the race, the color, sex, birth, origin or
social or economic condition of the students, nor its disabilities.
G. The academic and disciplinary records of the students will be kept in a safe
place exclusively destined for them. The information contained in the
academic and disciplinary files will be of confidential character and it will not
be disclosed without the written consent of the student, unless a judicial order
of a court with competent jurisdiction mediates. The students will be able to
obtain certified copies of their academic records by means of the payment of
the rights settled down by the School. The disciplinary records could be
28

examined by the students and to obtain copy of such by means of request to
the President/Dean of Medicine.
Article II. Duties and Responsibilities
A. The students will observe in rigorous manner the ethics principles and
confidentiality of the profession for which they are being prepared, in its
training programs and in the practice that they make.
B. The punctual attendance to the classes, conferences, laboratories, related
clinics and other activities is obligatory for all the students.
C. When initiating their clinical experiences in the hospitals they will be
responsible to know the different regulations from these institutions that
are applicable to them or that must be observed for their fulfillment.
D. In their clinical experiences the students must offer a treatment of respect
and consideration to the patients, as well as to relatives of these. Before
practicing a physical examination or an invasive procedure, must identify
themselves, obtain his/her consent and make it only under the supervision
and instructions of a member of the faculty.
E. The patient’s records in the hospitals are confidential and they could not
be removed of the clinical departments or the medical record department
under any circumstance. The students are not authorized to inform to any
person, family or stranger, about the state or condition of the patient, nor
to reveal the content of the record.
F. The students must always observe the correct conduct; that in any does
violence the necessary institutional order for all the activities that are
developed in the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, the hospitals and
other centers of training. The student who attempts against the dignity or
causes physical, moral or damage, harms in some way the health of a
patient or to any other person he will be subject to the disciplinary actions
that are provided in this Manual, between which it includes the formulation
of charges and expulsion from the School.
G. It constitutes a fundamental and inescapable duty of all and each one of
the students to comply with the economic responsibilities towards the
School. The violation of this constitutes a reason for the summary
suspension of the student.
H. To accomplish the objectives, the rights and the fulfillment of duties and
responsibilities previously enumerated, students will use all the resources
29

that the School makes available by means of the regulations approved to
the effect, including the following:
1. Library and audiovisual resources
2. Classrooms
3. Auditorium
4. Laboratories
5. Paraninfos and others.
I. Is requisite all the students to carry a card that will identify them like such,
the one that will allow its entrance to the School and to the different clinical
areas. This card will be provided to him/her in the first days of the
beginning of every academic year.
J. The use of professional dressing gowns in each one of the basic
laboratories of sciences will be compulsive for all students and throughout
the clinical training with the identification of the logo of the School.
CHAPTER III
REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURES FOR THE STUDENT PARTICIPATION
Article I.
General Council of Students
A. The General Council of Student is responsible to make viable and channeling
to the effective participation of students in processes of San Juan Bautista
School of Medicine.
B. It constitutes the official forum of the students for the analysis, the discussion
and the calm and rigorous study of the student necessities and aspirations
and for the expression of his/her to feel with respect to the problems of the
university community. Its essential mission is to contribute to the exact
fulfillment of the educative function of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine;
in individual, to protest responsibly free and that is made so high intention and
observe for the total use of the rights and responsibilities of the students.
Article II.
Composition of the General Council of Students
A. Eight (8) regular students of the School who will be voted by their
companions is free elections will constitute of the General Council of
30

Students, without discriminates in the selection of his members, nor in
their activities, by political or religious reasons, race, color, sex, birth origin
or socioeconomic condition, or disabilities. Those will bed two (2)
representatives of each one of the academic levels that form the total
group of members of th3e General Council of Students.
B. The General Council of Students will be constituted by the following
officials:
1. One (1) Vice president of Basic Sciences elected by the members
2. One (1) Vice president of Clinical Sciences elected by the members
Article III.
Students
Time and Process of Election of the General Council of
A. The General Council of Students will have to constitute itself during the
period of August 1 to the September 15 of every academic year and will
exert his functions by the term of an academic year, or until their
successor properly is replaced.
B. It will be responsibility of the Office of the Dean of Students to summon
the respective assemblies of students to choose the representatives of the
General Council of Students. The call to these assemblies will circulate in
the corresponding faculties ten (10) days before the date of its celebration,
having indicated the date, hour and place in which it will take place. It will
constitute quorum, half plus one of the registered students.
Article IV.
Nominations
A. The nominations will be made in writing using for it a form that could be
obtained through the Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs.
B. Nominations will be accepted to integrate the different positions from the
General Council of Students whenever they are authenticated by a
minimum of ten (10) student signatures.
C. Those students could be appointed for the position of Vice President of
Clinical Sciences only if they are registered in anyone of the academic
levels of Clinical Sciences. Similarly, those students could only be
appointed for the position of Vice President of Biomedical Sciences who
are registered in nobodies of the academic levels of Biomedical Sciences.
The students could only be appointed for the position of Vice president of
Public Health Master Program and Vice President of Bachelor Degree in
Science of Nursing only if they are registered in anyone of the academic
levels of each academic program.
31

D. The period of nominations will extend from the second week to the 31st of
August of every academic year.
E. In order to be able to be appointed and to hold a position in the General
Council of Students, in the cases of medical students and nursing
students the candidate must have a minimum general average of 2.50, of
cumulative index. The students of the Public Health Master Program
mush have a minimum general average of 3.00.
Article V. Elections
A. Both (2) representatives of each class will be elected by and of between
the students of their respective academic groups.
B. The assembly for the election of the student representatives will be
presided over by a student, who as well, will appoint another student to
writes up the draft of the assembly.
C. For the election of the representatives of each level, will be elected those
that obtain the greater amount of emitted votes.
D. The votes will be emitted using a slip of paper, in which each voter will
write the name of his candidates. In order to count the number of votes, a
Committee on Scrutiny will be appointed, which will be integrated by:
a member of the level in which in taking place the voting. This student
will be designated by the class.
One representative for each candidate, if requested
a member of the educational or administrative personnel, appointed by
the Dean of Students of the Medical School.
E. The parliamentary norms will be followed according to the manual of
Reece W. Bothwell.
F. The chosen students to comprise of the General Council of Students will
meet later to appoint and to choose members of this body to the positions
that constitute the Director of the General Council of Students. The
positions that constitute the Director of the General Council of Students
are the following:
President
Vice President Basic Sciences School of Medicine
Vice President Clinical Sciences School of Medicine
Vice President of Public Health Master Program
Vice President of the Bachelor Degree in Science of Nursing
32

Secretary
Treasurer
G. Nominations for the positions of President, Secretary and Treasurer will be
voluntary or by elections among members of the General Council of
Students. The election will be by secret ballot.
H. The candidates to the positions of Vice President will be those members
of the General Council of Students who are eligible under the Chapter III,
Article IV, section C of the General Regulation of Students. The election
will be carried out by secret vote.
I. In the case of a single nomination for some of the position, and with the
unanimous support of each member of the General Council of Students,
the person nominated for will be ratified to the position.
Article VI.
Officers of the General Council of Students
Constituted the General Council of Students, it will choose between its
members the following officials:
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Article VII. Functions of the members of the General Council of Students
A. President
1. Will call and preside over the meetings of the General Council of
Students and the assemblies of the student body.
2. Will prepare a plan of work and activities that will have to put under the
consideration of the Dean of Students at the beginning of each
academic semester.
3. Will represent the General Council of Students in all the institutional
acts in which representation of this body is required.
4. Will present to the Dean of Students and to the student body an annual
report of the activities made by the General Council of Students.
33

5. Will be honorary member, with voice and vote, of the entire student
commissions and organizations who are designated.
B. Vice President - Biomedical Sciences
1. Will collaborate with the President in the fulfillment of his/her functions.
2. Will assume the functions of the President in absence of this one.
3. Will serve as connection between the students of Basic Sciences and
the ones of Clinical Sciences.
C. Vice President - Clinical Sciences
1. Will collaborate with the President in the fulfillment of its functions
2. Will assume on the functions of the President when the Vice President
of Biomedical Sciences cannot fulfill this function.
3. Will serve as liaison between the students of Clinical Sciences and the
ones of Biomedical Sciences
D. Vice President Public Master Health Program
1. Will collaborate with the president in the fulfillment of his/her functions
2. Will serve as liaison between the student of his/her class and the
General Council.
E. Vice President Bachelor Degree in Science of nursing
1. Will collaborate with the president in the fulfillment of his/her functions
2. Will serve as a liaison between the student of his/her class and the
General Council.
F. Secretary
1. Will summon to meeting to the members of the General Council of
Students and all the persons who the General Council of Students
wishes to appears before it.
2. Will be responsible to communicate the agreements of the General
Council of Students.
34

3. Will take certainty of the attendance of the members of the General
Council of Students to the meetings and will write up acts of the
same.
4. Will maintain documents of the General Council of Students in the
file assigned in the office of the General Council of Students, who
the School provides to the effect.
G. Treasurer
1. Will have to access, with countersigned by the President, to the
funds of the General Council of Students deposited in a bank
account.
2. Will submit to the President of the General Council of Students an
estimate of cost of the plan of activities and work, in accordance
with the dispositions of this Manual.
3. Will take the relation of expenses that allows him/she to put under
the President and the General Council of Students periodic reports
on the execution of the plan of activities and work.
H. Representative of each class level
Will participate in all the meetings and activities of the General Council of
Students in representation of his/her group.
Article VIII. Participation
All the members of the General Council of Students will have the right to
participate in the meetings of the same, with voice and vote.
Article IX.
Duration of the Position
The members of the General Council of Students will be elected by the
term of one academic year. They could be reelected by a second consecutive
term.
35

Article X.
Duties and Responsibilities of the General Council of Students
Represent officially to the students of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
To expose to the administration authorities its opinions and recommendations
on the problems that affect the students.
To serve as forum to the students for the appropiate discussion and the
solution of problems that affect them.
To collaborate in the growth and institutional improvement in coordination with
the other units that compose the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine.
To collaborate with the Associate Dean of Students Affairs Office in the
coordination and realization of sport, cultural, social, scientific activities or of
another nature that complements their medical education.
To make an effort in creating the intellectual atmosphere that stimulates the
major development of the student.
To select the representatives for the different committees and organisms in
which these participate.
To collaborate for the establishment of effective communication channels
between all the members of the university community.
Through the Office of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs, communicate
the administrative problems and offer recommendations for its solution.
The academic problems will have to be brought to the attention of the
Academic Dean and/or Associate Dean of Clinical or Biomedical Sciences, as
it corresponds. If not satisfied with the action, taken to inform them to the
Academic Dean and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The
administrative problems must be informed to the Dean on Administration and
Human Resources thru the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
To foment and to stimulate, among students and faculty, the development of
activities, such as: forums, discussions, conferences, seminaries,
hypertention clinics of and others, directed to promote the San Juan Bautista
School of Medicine.
Act as mentors to its peers and freshman students on different aspects of the
institutional life.
36

To collaborate in the conservation and maintenance of all the equipment,
halls and other facilities that the School makes its available.
To collaborate to promote and to maintain the institutional order.
Article XI.
Regulation of the General Council of Students
The General Council of Students will establish his internal procedures in
harmony with the dispositions of this Manual. The same will be submitted for
approval among all the students, after which it will be returned for consideration.
This Manual will be approved by the vote of two third (2/3) parts of the members
of the General Council of Students. It will correspond to the Associate Dean of
Students Affairs to make sure that this Regulation and its amendments are in
harmony with the dispositions of the General Regulation of Students.
Article XII.
Meetings of the General Council of Students
The General Council of Students will celebrate not less than two (2)
meetings in each academic semester in the date, place and hour that the
President summons. The President will summon to the extraordinary meetings
that consider necessary or to request of one third (1/3) part of its members or of
the authorities of the School.
Article XIII. Destitution of the Position
After the due process, formulation of charges and a hearing in the
presence of a committee composed of three (3) members of the General Council
of Students designated by the President, any member of the General Council of
Students could be removed from his position, by one of the following reasons:
1. Violation to the Regulation of the General Council of Students.
2. Absences without justified excuse, to three (3) ordinary meetings of the
General Council of Students, mentioned in accordance with the
internal procedures of this body.
3. When being demonstrated before the General Council of Students that
his/her behavior prevents the suitable operation of this organism. The
application of this clause will be determined by the General Council of
Students.
37

4. To assume the illegal representation of the General Council of
Students or to make uprisings to its name without authorization of this
organism.
Article XIX. Vacancies
A. In order to cover any vacancy that arises, except in positions of
President and Vice President, the President will be able to select the
student who will replace it. The new incumbent will hold the position by
the rest of the term of the previous incumbent.
B. In case of having left vacancy the position of President, the successor
will be the Vice-president of Biomedical Sciences.
C. In case of having left vacancy the position of anyone of the Vice
Presidents, the successor will be elected according to Article IV,
Section C.
Article XV. Recognition
Once constituted the General Council of Students as it is arranged in
previous articles and thus certified to the Dean of the School, the official
recognition will be extended to him. Any act sponsored by the General Council of
Students inside or outside the School, of the hospitals or centers of training, that
attempts against the dignity of a person or causes physical damage, moral or
harms of some way to the health to any person or affects the good reputation of
the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, will be sufficient cause to retire the
recognition and to formulate charges to the concerned members, after the due
process.
Article I.
CHAPTER IV
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
The students of San Juan Bautista School of Medicine will be able to
publish publications, to unfold warnings, announcements, posters and large
posters in bulletin boards that are provided with this intention, with the
authorization of the Associate Dean of Students Affairs.
38

CHAPTER V
STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine stimulates and foments the
development of student organizations. Any group of students that interest to
create an organization or association, according with the institutional objectives,
is of religious, sport or academic nature, will have to submit under the
corresponding request to the Associate Dean of Students Affairs, indicating the
intentions of the same one, so therefore certifies it as bonafide.
CHAPTER VI
RECOGNITIONS
Article I.
Definitions
According with the educational philosophy of this institution and in
accordance with the Corporate Statutes, the academic are defined as follows
behaviors or performance that consider recognition creditors:
1. All students whose level of accumulated academic excellence during
the four years of study is of, or exceeds, the 3.90 will receive a
recognition of Suma Cum Laude.
2. All student whose level of accumulated academic excellence during
the four years of studies fluctuates between 3.70 - 3.89 will receive a
recognition of Magna Cum Laude.
3. All student whose level of accumulated academic excellence during
the four years of studies fluctuates between 3.50 - 3.69 will receive a
recognition of Cum Laude.
4. The students who obtain the most excellent grades in Clinical
Sciences, and also awarded by their academic performance.
5. To the most outstanding student in his/her first two years of studies
(Biomedical Sciences) that fulfill the following requirements:
a) High average
b) Responsibility demonstrated in:
Attendance
Laboratory work
Personal reports
39

c) Personal appearance
d) Attitude toward the others
CHAPTER VII
PROCEDURE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COMPLAINTS
Article I
In case that a student/alumni considers that their rights have been injured,
or which an inadmissible action has been committed against her/his by a
member of the faculty or has some claims of academic nature, will be able to
bring up his/her complaints through the coordinator of the course. If not satisfied
with the taken decision, her/he will be able to appeal through the following
channels: Director of the Department, Associate Dean of Biomedical Sciences or
Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences, Academic Dean, President/ Dean of
Medicine.
Article II:
Non-academic relations with the institutional personnel
In the event a student/alumni considers that their rights have been injured,
or which an inadmissible action has been committed against her/him by a
member of the institutional personnel in relation of a non-academic nature, this
will be able to present a complaint to the Associate Dean of Students Affairs.
This official will have to investigate the allegations of the complaint. If from the
investigation it arises some possible violation to the institutional norms, she/he
will refer the case to the attention of the Dean of Administration and Human
Resources for the processing of the case under the corresponding regulation:
Manual of Faculty, if it is an educational member, or Manual of Personnel, if it is
administrative.
If the complaint is related to the use of drug or alcohol, sexual
harassment, discriminated because of race, color, age, sex, sexual preference,
religion, nationality, civil state, physical appearance, political affiliation, disability,
origin or social condition, the same will be taken care of and processed according
to the regulations and directives to it corresponding to these subjects. In the
cases that it does not exist a specific institutional regulation for some of these
subjects will govern the applicable dispositions of Law.
40

CHAPTER VIII
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
According to the conduct that the Puerto Rican community demands to a
member of the medical profession and health sciences profession the norms of
ethics established by the Medical Association of Puerto Rico, the College of
Medical Surgeons, other health profession associations and those of San Juan
Bautista School of Medicine, next settles down what constitutes offense or
inappropriate of the students and the sanctions to prevail.
Article I
Violations to this General Student Regulations, any norm adopted by the
Board of Receivers or the administration of San Juan Bautista School of
Medicine who properly has been circulated between the students.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Oral reprimand, if it has not committed lack of another
nature
Written reprimand with copy to the file, if it has not
committed act of another nature
Suspension by a defined period of time, if it has not
committed lack of another nature
Fourth offense:
Separate or definitive expulsion of the School
41

Article II
Violation to the regulations of the hospitals and the other institutions of
training.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Written reprimand with copy to the record, if it has not
committed lack of another nature
Suspension by a defined period of time, if it has not
committed lack of another nature
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article III
Conduct that verifies lack of honesty in relation to the academic work,
such as to copy themselves or to acquire examinations of fraudulent form
or any action directed to such aim.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Fourth offense:
Reduction of the qualification of the course concerned
or clinical rotations and written reprimand with copy
the records.
Awarding of “F” qualification of the course or clinical
rotation and written reprimand with copy to the
records.
Suspension by a defined period of time
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article IV
Alteration or falsification of the qualifications, records, exams and other
documents.
First offense:
Second offense:
Awarding of "F" qualification in the course or clinical
rotation or suspension of the School by a defined
period of time.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
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Article V.
The commission of any obscene, impudent or lascivious act.
First offense:
Suspension by a defined period of time, or separation
or definitive expulsion of the School and written
documentation to the record.
Article VI.
Alteration to peace or participation in acts that urge to the violence or
obstruction of the official activities of the School.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Written reprimand with copy to the records, if it has
not committed lack of another nature.
Suspension by a defined period of time, if it has not
committed lack of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the school
Article VII.
Interruption, blocking or disturbance of the regular tasks of the School or
in the celebration of acts properly authorized.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Fourth offense:
Oral reprimand, if it has not committed an offense of
another nature.
Written reprimand with copy to the records, if it has
not committed an offense of another nature.
Suspension by a period of defined time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article VIII.
To cause malicious damages to the property of the School, hospitals,
centers of training or the property of its companions students.
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First offense:
Second offense:
Repair by restitution or reimbursement, the damages
to the property, with written reprimand with copy to
the records, if has not committed an offense of
another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article IX.
Publication or diffusion, inside or outside the estates of the School, of the
hospitals or centers of training, material difamatorius, libelous, obscene or devoid
of veracity.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Written Reprimand with copy to the records, if it has
not committed an offense of another nature.
Suspension by a defined period of time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School, if it
has not committed committed an offense of another
nature.
Article X.
The commission of any act that constitutes a public and/or misdemenor by
the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any place, state or country.
First offense:
Second offense:
If the public crime penalizes with fine, the student will
receive the reprimand written with copy to the
records.
If the crime penalizes with jail, the sanction will be the
expulsion by a period of defined time or definitive
expulsion of the School
Article XI.
The sustraction or illegal occupation of goods that belong to the School,
the hospitals or centers of training or to its companion students.
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First offense:
Second offense:
Repair by means of restitution or reimbursement by
illegal appropriation of property with written reprimand
to the record.
Repair and reimbursement and separation or
definitive expulsion of the School
Article XII.
The use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances within the
premises of the School, their dependencies, hospitals, centers of training or any
other place where an institutional activity is being developed.
First offense:
Second offense:
Suspension by a period of defined time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article XIII.
To assume without previous authorization the representation of San Juan
Bautista School of Medicine, of the General Council of Students or any other
student organization properly recognized.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Written reprimand with copy to the records, if it has
not committed an offense of another nature.
Suspension by a defined period of time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School.
Article XIV
Disrespectful treatment to the faculty, officials or non educational
personnel
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Reprimand written with copy to the file, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Suspension by a period of defined time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
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Article XV
Disrespectful treatment or to make examinations without patient
supervision.
First offense:
Second offense:
Suspension by a period of defined time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article XVI.
Disrespectful treatment to the other students.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Reprimand written with copy to the file, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Suspension by a period of defined time, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School.
Article XVII.
Offense by ignorance of the regulations of the hospitals
First offense:
Reprimand written with copy to the file or that
arranges the violated regulation, if it has not
committed an offense of another nature.
Article XVIII
Removal or sustraction of the patients medical records from the Clinical
departments.
First offense:
Suspension by a period of time or expulsion
Article XIX.
Sexual harassment will be applied to the dispositions of the Executive
Order in promulgated vigor to the effect.
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Article XX
All student who absents itself more than 15% of the courses periods of a
subject or its laboratories, will be withdraw from the course receiving the same
qualification of “F”. In the clinical experiences he/she will not allow himself/herself
more than a 5% of just absences.
Article XXI
Not to carry the identification card when it is required to him/her.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense:
Fourth offense:
Oral reprimand, if it has not committed an offense of
another nature.
Reprimand written with copy to the records. Its
attendance will not be allowed and it will determine
that he/she was absent.
Suspension by a defined period of defined time
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article XXII
To attend the hospitals without the required professional dressing gown.
First offense:
Second offense:
Third offense
Fourth offense:
Oral reprimand
Written reprimand with copy to the records. Its
attendance will not be allowed and it will determine
that he was absent
Suspension by a period of time
Separation or definitive expulsion of the School
Article XXIII.
The disciplinary records of the student will stay during all its years of study
in the School. The acts and constituent lack of infraction to the regulations and
established norms will be accumulated for the term.
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Article XXIV.
The disciplinary sanctions that entail the following pains: oral or written
reprimand with copy to the records could be imposed by any member of the
faculty or civil employee of the School with authority.
The disciplinary sanctions that entail the following pains: it reduces in the
classification of a course, awarding of an “F” in a course or clinical rotation, they
will be imposed by the corresponding member of the faculty. The disciplinary
sanctions that entail a pain of: suspension of one or several courses or rotations,
suspension by a period of defined time, separation or definitive expulsion of the
School and repair by means of restitutions by damages or illegal appropriation of
the property, will be imposed by the Academic Dean
Article I
CHAPTER IX
COMMITTEES OF REVISION
A Committee of Revision at administrative level constituted by the
Associate Dean of Students Affairs, Associates Deans of Biomedical Sciences
and Clinical Sciences, Associate Dean Graduate students and two
representatives designated by the General Council of Students is created. This
committee will have jurisdiction to celebrate administrative views of revision by
penalties imposed by any member of the faculty or civil employee of the School
with authority. The decision of the Committee will be subjected to appeal.
Article II
The students will have a term of ten (10) natural days, counted as of the
date of the notification of the sanction, to ask for in writing the revision to the
Committee of Revision. In the hearings that are celebrated, the students will have
right to appear personally or attended by a lawyer.
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CHAPTER X
AMENDMENTS
Article I
Any member of the educational or administrative personnel of the Medical
School or the General Council of Students can propose amendments to this
regulation which will have to be submitted to the President/Dean in writing.
Article II
A number not less of 5% of the students of the School will not be able to
propose amendments to this regulation, which will submit the General Council of
Students in writing, who will consider them and to approve them or to modify
them, will put under them the consideration of the President/Dean.
Article III.
All proposal for amendment to this Manual will be submitted by the
President/Dean to the Board of Trustees for its consideration and approval.
Article I.
CHAPTER XI
GENERAL DISPOSITIONS AND USE
None of the established in this Manual will be understood as a limitation to
the authority of the President/Dean of the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
or his authorized representatives, to adopt the measures that consider necessary
to guarantee the order, the discipline and the security in the School.
Article II.
The President/Dean or his authorized representative will be able, when
considers it pertinent, and to protect the order and the normality of the
institutional tasks, to suspend any student summarily until the Committee of
Revision studies the case and emits a decision, which will have to emit in a term
of five (5) workable days.
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Article III.
If any chapter, article, interjection or disposition of this Regulation are
declared null, illegal or non constitutional by a competent Court of Justice, this
will not invalid nor will affect the rest of its dispositions.
Article IV.
This Manual takes effect from its approval by the Board of Trustees.
Approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in its meeting of
Wednesday, June 30, 1982. Review and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Revised: June 2011
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