The School values and encourages the participation of students in extra-curricular professional activities, believing that this participation can expand the perspective offered by classroom learning, promote leadership and professional development and enhance the visibility of the School. These events may at times, however, conflict with essential course or clinical activities. When these conflicts occur, the student should schedule a meeting with the appropriate course coordinator(s) to discuss possible solutions.

Consideration in the decision-making process should be given to those students with a significant history with the organization and those in leadership roles; an assessment of the relationship of the activity to the student’s career goals and a determination of the degree to which the potential learning at the meeting will enhance the regular curriculum. Consideration must also be given to the current academic and clinical performance of the student making the request and the possible academic or clinical consequences of missing essential experiences.

If class, exams, course presentations or clinical practice is missed, essential learning experiences still need to be met. Faculty may do this in a variety of ways such as developing guided independent student learning activities, scheduling a make-up opportunity, extending clinical time for the remaining clinical days or incorporating learning from the professional activity into course activities through an oral or written report. The final decision regarding participation in these activities resides with the course coordinator.