Institutional Federal Compliance Report 2021

Notes for student leave requests: •

While it is recognized that there are many legitimate reasons for requesting leave, including several excellent extracurricular professional opportunities, students must also recognize that meeting requirements for completion of the professional degree program is their highest priority. • Some considerations for granting leave will be the reason for leave, the number of leave requests the student has requested, and the student’s academic standing in the program. Accordingly, students should consider their priorities and anticipate their reasons for requesting leave well in advance, e.g. not requesting leave if a student will be participating in residency interviews at a later date. • With regard to mission trips, the college supports volunteerism and encourages community engagement. While it will make every effort to accommodate a request for mission trips, the college’s priority is the student’s successful completion of the professional degree program. • Service chiefs may require the intern to obtain coverage in the clinic to lessen the impact on patient care in the UEC. • Switches for clinic leave are limited to two per quarter/semester (one initiated by the intern and one at the request of another intern). • Students are encouraged to consider and plan all activities involving leave at the beginning of each academic year. The department chairs are available for guidance, and to answer any questions. • The number of students requesting leave for a particular activity may also be a factor. If a large number of students are requesting the same days out (for example to attend a professional meeting), then the number of leave requests that are approved may be capped. N.B. Extracurricular activities= Any activities such as but not limited to mission trips, scientific conferences, organized optometric advocacy trips, optometry meetings, residency interviews, and other professional activities. ***Students may appeal a decision relating to this policy in writing to the Dean for Academic Affairs. Examinations The SUNY College of Optometry examination policy is designed to minimize conflicts between examinations and other assessments of students during a given semester. For this policy, an examination is defined as a written assessment that requires a full class session for completion. A quiz is considered to be a single short written or oral assessment used to contribute not more than 10% to a final grade and that does not require a full class session for completion. A lab practical/assessment is essentially a non-written assessment of laboratory concepts that takes place during the laboratory portion of the course using materials or procedures taught in the laboratory. Written assessments of laboratory concepts, whether they are in the laboratory or classroom, are considered to be examinations or quizzes, depending on scope, and will be administered according to the following policy statements:

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