The College of Osteopathic Medicine General Conduct Standards¹ do not replace the University Student Honor Code (The Liberty Way), but rather supplements it for osteopathic medical students. Students are required to know and adhere to both the COMs General Conduct Standards and The Liberty Way. The Dean of LUCOM has established the following Academic Code of Conduct, which shall apply to all students enrolled in the COM.

Students enrolled at LUCOM are expected to adhere to behavior consistent with the high standards of the osteopathic medical profession, including the standards established by the osteopathic oath and code of ethics. Compliance with institutional regulations as well as city, state, and federal laws is expected.

Acts that may undermine the safety, mission, or reputation of the students of Liberty University or the College of Osteopathic Medicine or either institution are violations of the Personal Code of Conduct. Examples of such acts include, but are not limited to:

• Commission of a crime; or
• Violations of institutional policies, procedures and/or conduct standards, including standards of dress; or
• Causing public embarrassment to the College, the University, or its representatives, students, or employees; or
• Any attempt to provide or support residential students with the opportunity to break The Liberty Way

Osteopathic medical students shall act honorably and ethically. Dishonesty, unethical, unprofessional, or other designated inappropriate conduct shall not be tolerated. It is not possible to enumerate all forms of inappropriate behavior, some of which could raise serious questions concerning a student's ability to continue in the academic program or to practice after graduation and interpretation is the purview of the Student Progress Committee and the Dean. Below, however, are the general rules and policies that shall apply to all students.

Students will not interfere with the rights, safety, or health of members of the University or College community nor interfere with other student’s rights and privileges in pursuit of their education. Students are expected to abide by all University, College, and program rules and regulations and all local, state, and federal laws and regulations affecting their education and profession. Violations include but are not limited to:

• Theft, robbery, and related crimes
• Vandalism or destruction of property
• Disorderly or disruptive conduct, public intoxication, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior on the campus or at any College-sponsored or -supervised function or event
• Physical or verbal altercation, assault, battery, domestic violence, or other related crimes
• Possession, transfer, sale or use of illicit and or illegal drugs, misuse of legal drugs or other legal medications, or use, possess, distribute, or sell alcohol or tobacco products.
• Possession of or use of an unregistered firearm, fireworks, explosives, or other dangerous substances or items on campus, at University affiliated sites, or at any University sponsored event on or off campus. The possession of or use of firearms is regulated by LU policy or University affiliated sites’ policy
• Appearance in the class or on the campus, at University affiliated sites or at any University sponsored events on or off campus that the student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, illegal or illicit drugs, or chemicals
• Any act or conspiracy to commit an act that is harassing or abusive; an act that invades an individual's right to privacy; sexual harassment; discrimination and abuse against members of any racial, ethnic, religious group or on the basis of sex, gender, marital status or cultural group and/or any other protected group or as a result of an individual membership in any protected group
• Verbal or written disrespect to a faculty or staff member (this includes e-mails)
• Offensive or crude language directed at individuals
• Sexual misconduct
• Stalking
• Involvement with pornographic, obscene, indecent, or other similarly offensive materials, expressions, or conduct. Use of the University's computing network to obtain or distribute such materials
• Unacceptable use of computing resources as defined by the University
• Impeding or obstructing a LUCOM investigatory, administrative or judicial proceeding
• Threats of or actual damage to property or physical harm to others
• Any activity that may be construed as hazing or engaging in, supporting, promoting, or sponsoring hazing of another student, faculty, or staff member
• Failure to pay tuition and fees in a timely manner
• Embezzlement or misuse of COM and/or student organizational funds, resources, or monies
• Failure to comply with the directives of a LUCOM official
• Violation of the terms or conditions of a disciplinary sanction imposed by the administration
• Violation of state or federal law, rule, regulation, or ordinance
• Fraud, misrepresentation, forgery, alteration or falsification of any records, information, data or identity
• Plagiarism
• Unauthorized access to or utilization of restricted University documents, data, programs, and other types of information and informational systems.

Harassment, Assault, and Discrimination²

Liberty University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community. The following policies serve as key components of effectuating the University's mission consistent with the law. All members of the University community are responsible for understanding and following these policies.

• Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Impaired Student Program³

All students, as a condition of enrollment at LUCOM must agree to abide by the College's policies on alcohol and drug usage and the impaired student policy. Under this policy, students who are identified abusing alcohol, legal or illegal substances are subject to dismissal from the College or may be referred to the Impaired Student Program (ISP) for further evaluation and treatment.

Entry into the ISP may be initiated at the student's own request or at the direction of the Dean. The Dean may, at their sole discretion, refer the matter to the ISP or initiate an investigation, which may include drug screens.

All students placed in the ISP must sign a release, including the release of medical records, allowing the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) access to any information necessary in order to monitor the student's compliance with the conditions of the program. Student confidentiality is maintained at all times and their records are stored within the appropriate treating department.  Any lack of compliance by the student in meeting the conditions of the ISP or external agent shall result in dismissal from the COM.

Any student assigned to the ISP may have their clinical rotations or other clinical assignments suspended or scheduled at sites that will allow the student to be more appropriately monitored during the course of their participation in the ISP. Agreement to such scheduling modifications will be considered to be a requirement of continuing in the ISP while a participant in the program, the student must be under the supervision of a qualified external agent assigned by the ISP director.

Any acts of inappropriate behavior or violations of policies attributed to students participating in the Impaired Student Program or otherwise, shall continue to be referred to the Student Progress Committee for independent evaluation as is applicable to all students enrolled in the LUCOM.

Any member of the faculty who observes a student with symptoms suggestive of impairment secondary to emotional disturbance, substance abuse, or addiction will report the matter to the Dean for implementation of this policy.

The procedures regarding participation and responsibilities in the ISP are available from the Office of the Dean or the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Life.

Failure to Report a Violation³

Every member of the COM has the duty to report all circumstances they have reason to believe constitute a violation of the code.  Failure to report a violation of the code is itself a violation. All members of the College community have an affirmative duty to give testimony or evidence relevant to any alleged violation of the conduct standards.

Penalty³

Any student of LUCOM who engages in the aforementioned Conduct violations, is subject to disciplinary action. Possible disciplinary actions can be found in the Academic & General Conduct Disciplinary Sanctions section of the Policies and Procedures for Code of Conduct Violations page.

Since the University takes such charges seriously, where the results of an investigation reveal a conduct violation complaint to be frivolous or groundless, the individual having made such a complaint may be subject to disciplinary action.