II. Procedures for Reporting and Investigating Violations

The following procedures apply to students enrolled in the MD program or in the MD/PhD program during their MD years. Students enrolled in other Schools and programs should refer to their Office of Student Affairs for information and direction. Students enrolled in the biomedical PhD program through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences should follow the procedures established by that School which are available through the Office of Graduate Student Affairs.

P&S believes that the standards of appropriate conduct in the educational setting are generally respected and practiced throughout the Columbia University Medical Center and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. P&S recognizes, however, that there are occasions when the intensity and pace of study and work, and the differing expectations that members of it’s pluralistic, diverse community bring to their work and study, may lead to perceived or to real incidents of inappropriate behavior on the part of faculty towards students. When this happens, P&S is committed to establishing the facts through a fair process which respects the rights and confidentiality of the involved parties. This process will be the responsibility of a faculty Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment which will be chaired by a faculty member appointed by the Vice-President/Dean.

Students who wish to come forward and report inappropriate behavior on the part of a faculty or staff member may do so without fear of retaliation or reprisal, and with the assurance that complete confidentiality will be maintained unless the situation is such that there is a potential of immediate harm to the student or others.

In reporting such violations there are a number of avenues that students can follow.
Discriminatory Behavior, Sexual or Physical Harassment:Students who experience behavior they believe to be discriminatory, or who are the subjects of sexual or physical harassment should consult the University guidelines and procedures established for handling these complaints and contact the University offices designated to work with students on these issues. These guidelines and procedures are published annually in FACETS, the University’s Student Handbook, and can also be found on the Provost’s website. Students who wish to report other incidents of inappropriate behavior may do so to the Dean of Students; the Dean of Diversity and Minority Affairs; the Director of the Center for Student Wellness; the University Ombudsperson; a Special Advocate (see below) or to the Chair of the Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment.

• The Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Education (OSMPE): Students who wish to file a complaint of sexual misconduct against another student may do so by contacting OSMPE at (212) 304-7028 (Columbia University Medical Center Campus) or (212) 854-1717 (Morningside Campus). For further information on the Columbia University Sexual Misconduct Policy, as well as how to file a complaint, visit the website at www.columbia.edu/cu/sexualmisconduct
• Special Advocates: To provide students with the opportunity to discuss a situation informally and in complete confidence before initiating, or in lieu of initiating a formal inquiry, the School has established a panel of special advocates, faculty selected for their personal qualities of maturity, empathy, integrity and judgment whose personal histories and experience reflect the histories and experience of the diverse student body. Students who seek the assistance and counsel of a special advocate are assured that all discussions will be confidential and that no one else will be contacted without the permission of the student unless the situation holds a potential of immediate harm to the student or to others. It is the student who will decide whether or not to carry the matter to the Faculty Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment. Names of members of this panel are available from the Office of the Dean.
• Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment: The Faculty Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment is a new standing committee which the School has established to respond to reports of inappropriate behaviors where the student wishes an inquiry and gives permission for the committee to contact the member of the faculty whose behavior is being questioned. A student can ask the Committee to consider an incident at any time, whether or not she or he has been working with a special advocate. The members of the Committee, all faculty, will be appointed from the Faculty of Medicine by the Dean with the concurrence of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council. In order to preserve students’ confidentiality there will be no standing student member of the Committee. However, students who bring an incident to the attention of the Committee may have their Class Ethics Committee representative sit as a member for the consideration of the particular incident. In addition, students may request that a special advocate attend the Committee during the investigation of the incident.

The Committee will conduct its inquiry with fairness and with respect for the confidentiality of all parties. Its findings will be presented in the form of a written report to the student, the faculty member and the Dean who may refer it to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council. Recommendations for appropriate action may be made consistent with Columbia University Policies and Statutes.

The Committee on Civility in the Learning Environment will also advise the Vice-President/Dean on any measures that, in their judgment, need to be taken to reinforce the standards of conduct.