Faculty Handbook

SUNY College of Optometry

Faculty Handbook 2022-23

Failure of Clinics Failure of a third- or fourth-year optometric clinic places a student on probation automatically and puts them under review by the Committee on Course and Standing. Remediating a clinic failure usually requires repeating the entire clinic, which will delay graduation. Failing two consecutive optometric clinics makes the student Ineligible to Advance and subject to all policies and procedures described below under Academic Advancement. Student Grievances Students who have an academic grievance for any reason should proceed as follows: 1. Students should first attempt to resolve disputes concerning grading, course work, clinic, or other academic policies at the level at which the dispute occurred (IOR, Clinic Supervisor). 2. For disputes involving clinic, the student is encouraged to seek the assistance of the appropriate faculty overseeing that element of the clinical curriculum (e.g., IOR for Third Year Clinic, IOR for Fourth Year Clinic, Director Externships). 3. If a satisfactory result or a final decision cannot be reached, the student may bring the issue to the attention of the appropriate Department Chair (Biological and Vision Sciences or Clinical Education). 4. The student has the right to appeal a decision of the Department Chair by applying in writing to the Dean for Academic Affairs who will review the case and make a final decision. Academic Advancement Students must achieve passing grades in all courses and required optometric clinics before advancing to the next academic year. If other than a passing grade is received ("F", “U” or "I"), it must be remediated as described above or in a manner determined by the Committee on Course and Standing and the Dean for Academic Affairs. These decisions may be modified on an individual basis by appeal upon recommendation of the Department Chair and with the final approval of the Dean for Academic Affairs. Evaluation of Student Academic Performance Evaluation of student academic performance is done through the Office of Academic Affairs, the Registrar, and the Committee on Course and Standing. The Committee on Course and Standing meets with the Dean for Academic Affairs at the conclusion of each semester to review student academic performance. When a student's performance is less than satisfactory as defined by criteria below, the committee may recommend the issuance of a letter of concern, probation, retaking course work or dismissal. In cases where a student is ineligible to advance (see below), the committee may recommend special requirements for retention. When a student is on probation or in a special academic program, the committee will review the student's performance and may recommend removal of probation or dismissal on academic grounds if performance indicates. Students having academic difficulties are considered individually by the committee and recommendations are made to the Dean for Academic Affairs. The Dean will make final decisions after considering the recommendations of the faculty and the committee and will then communicate decisions to the student and the committee. For students on academic probation with special programs, the Dean for Academic Affairs, with the advice of the Course and Standing Committee, may mandate specific criteria (such as a specified GPA or minimum course grades) for the student to advance following the repeated portion of the academic program. Students who are on academic probation will not be permitted to hold class or student leadership positions.

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