In order to serve as an officer, students must be in good standing academically and not on a probationary status. A student elected and serving in a leadership role agrees to step down from that leadership role if they fall out of good academic standing or are placed on probation. A student removed from office can run again at any time in the future once they return to good academic standing, unless an organization’s bylaws indicate otherwise.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association is the official voice for all osteopathic medical students on the campus of LUCOM. The meetings are open to all students in the College, and the Student Government Association welcomes proposals and participation from the entire student body. Responsibilities of the Student Government Association include collecting and expressing student opinion, dispensing funds for student activities, acting as a liaison for the student body, promoting osteopathic medicine, supporting club and class activities, and working to improve the quality of life for all students at LUCOM.

The Student Government President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Community Outreach/TOUCH Coordinator, Wellness Coordinator, and parliamentarian are elected in the spring semester from the rising OMS-II class. The Class Government President of the OMS-I, OMS-II, OMS-III, and OMS-IV classes are also a part of the Student Government Association.

The Student Government Association President and Vice-President are LUCOM representatives on the Council of Student Government Presidents (COSGP) of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).    

Class Government Associations (CGA)

LUCOM Class Government Association (CGA) exists to serve each specific class of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (LUCOM’s) student body with a focus on being a resource for both academic and non-academic issues. Representatives across pre-clinical and clinical education years will be appointed by the Dean or designee from among the elected Class Government Association officials to serve on the LUCOM Executive Curriculum Committee, which oversees the development and implementation of LUCOM’s curriculum.

OMS-I will elect a class President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian, IT Representative, Student Curriculum Sub-Committee (2), and Honor Court (3) in the Fall semester of their first year after the grades have been posted from their first class. In the following Spring semester of their first year, OMS-I will re-elect a class President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian, IT Representative, and Student Curriculum Sub-Committee Member (2) that will be the representatives in their rising OMS-II year. The Honor Court positions are a two (2) year commitment once elected in the Fall semester of the OMS-I year. 

The officers elected for the OMS-III class shall serve as the officers for the class during the OMS-III and OMS-IV years and will be elected in the Spring of the OMS-II academic year. In that election, members of OMS-II will vote for class President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

All officers may serve for more than one year if re-elected and if their position permits multiple terms. Officers also may succeed themselves in office.

Honor Court¹

The Honor Court exists to provide accountability for and adherence to the Constitution, bylaws and procedures within the LUCOM SGA. It will also serve as a means to settle social grievances. When a dispute or violation of the Constitution, Code of Conduct, or Student Handbook occurs, the complaint or allegation is brought to the attention of the Court by submitting a grievance form. The grievance form must state the accused, the offense, and the name of the person submitting the form. Matters handled by the Honor Court shall be kept confidential when the case permits.

The Honor Court shall address the grievance in a reasonable amount of time. The resulting sanction will depend on the offense and number of previous offenses and will be decided by the Honor Court. One appeal may be submitted via email to lucomhonorcourt@liberty.edu within five business days of the Honor Court’s decision, in which case, the grievance will be reevaluated and could potentially include external opinions. The outcome of an appeal is final.

Grievances outside the jurisdiction of the Honor Court shall be referred to the Student Progress Committee; henceforth, not involving the Honor Court further.

The Court is comprised of one Advocate General who presides over all Honor Court meetings. The Advocate General is appointed by the Office of Student Services. Three Honor Court Justices are elected by the student body respectively for the OMS-I and OMS-II classes, and they will serve a two-year term. Additionally, student membership on the Honor Court is based on voluntary application for this service line. Applicants will submit their request to the Associate Director of Student Services and will need to meet the Honor Court requirements as listed per Liberty University academic policy. The Associate Director of Student Services will be actively involved with the Honor Court processes.

Ambassador Program

Presented by the Office of Student Services, the Ambassador Program is designed to enhance student-doctors as leaders while serving as representatives of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM). The ambassadors are charged to connect with prospective students and current student-doctors as a part of LUCOM’s mission to develop osteopathic professionals who have a commitment to serve one’s fellow man. The opportunities for service will occur through multiple avenues represented in each stage of the program.

OMS-I student-doctors interested in becoming an Ambassador must submit an application when prompted by the Office of Student Services and Admissions in the late Spring Semester. Once the applications have been received, interview times are arranged.

Mentor-Mentee Program

The Office of Student Services established Student-Doctor Connect to assist incoming students and student-doctors as they adjust and adapt to both LUCOM and the Lynchburg community while providing leadership opportunities for current student-doctors.

Current LUCOM student-doctors will be asked to reach out to the accepted students in order to provide support, answer questions and share past experiences. Their knowledge and experience will help build relationships with the incoming class, strengthen the student body and fulfill the mission of service within the college. In addition, current student-doctors’ knowledge and compassion will serve to ease transitional stress for the incoming class and assist their transition from college students to student-doctors.

Convocation Worship Team

The LUCOM Convocation Worship Team functions to serve via music for the weekly Convocations. LUCOM convocation exists to worship God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Additionally, it encourages and equip students, faculty, and staff to know God more intimately and fully, grow in God’s Word more intentionally and faithfully, show God’s love more clearly and consistently and sow seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of others.

Student Activity Groups

The Office of Student Services must first approve all extracurricular activities as well as recognize all on-campus and off-campus organizations that are identified with LUCOM. All new organizations and certain events, such as those which include risk to participants, events involving health care services, events which could potentially affect the image of the University must be further approved by the Dean. To apply for recognition, and to receive LUCOM funding, organizations must be an affiliate of a nationally recognized osteopathic professional society, have a mission that mirrors Liberty University’s, or provide unique service to the professional community or patients in the opinion of the administration of LUCOM.

There must be sufficient interest among the student body to support an organization, which shall be measured in part by requiring those proposing to charter any new organization to obtain the signature of > 20% of the total members of the OMS-I and OMS-II classes (the students on campus) indicating they would be interested in joining or working with the organization if recognized prior to presentation of the request for recognition to the Office of Admissions and Student Services. The constitution and by-laws for the organization must be submitted at the time of the request for recognition. Each club or organization must have a faculty sponsor that is approved by the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

All activities and events that involve students, faculty, or staff of LUCOM must be appropriately scheduled to avoid conflicts with academic requirements and other professional events and must be approved not more than 90 or less than 10 business days in advance through the Office of Admissions and Student Services. Requests for permission for off campus speakers, student meetings or activities, and other individual or group activities on campus should be made on forms provided by the Office of Admissions and Student Services at least 10 days in advance. No meeting announcements may be made until approval is received from the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Students cannot develop, create, or implement activities that have not been vetted through the appropriate review and approval channels up to and including the faculty sponsor, the Office of Admissions and Student Services, and the Office of the Dean.

A variety of clubs and organizations are approved on campus, including, but not limited to, the list of organizations is below.

American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)

The student chapter of the ACOFP’s objective is to advance the study of family practice in the field of osteopathic medicine and surgery. The organization works toward the advancement of family medicine and the family practitioner's role and scope of practice, the advancement of access to quality, patient centered, cost effective health care for the patient, and the principles of preventive and primary care. The chapter recognizes the fact that the family practitioner is the backbone of modern medical practice. The Virginia Society of the ACOFP is the state division of the national organization and maintains a direct liaison with the LUCOM chapter. Membership in this organization entitles students to benefits such as seminars, educational programs, and financial support to various family practice conferences.

American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians Gynecologists (ACOOG)

The American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians Gynecologists fosters an enhanced interest among student-doctors in obstetrics and gynecology and provides information, as well as, opportunities for enhanced experiences and knowledge in the discipline.

American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP)

The American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians is the student chapter of the official pediatric organization of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This student organization is open to those desiring to specialize in pediatrics or those interested in family medicine and other fields in which pediatric patients will be encountered. The national organization is often sought out when agencies need resolutions concerning the practice of pediatrics. ACOP’s government relations and advocacy efforts represent the interests of osteopathic pediatricians before Congress and other governmental bodies, as well as, in coalition with other organizations that focus on children’s welfare.

Anesthesiology Interest Group – SOSA (AIG)

Anesthesia Interest Group (AIG), a subset of ACOS-MSS, is charged with providing resources and information for LUCOM students interested in pursuing anesthesiology as a medical career. As vital members of the medical field, Anesthesiologists enjoy work in all areas of medicine, both in and out of the operating room.

Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (AMOPS)

The Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons student chapter of this national organization is open to all College of Osteopathic Medicine students in the military or public health service. The chapter serves as liaison between on- campus military students, those on rotations, military alumni, and organizations.

Behavioral Health Interest Group – SOIMA (BHIG)

The Behavioral Health Interest Group is a group dedicated to those with an interest in behavioral and mental health within the D.O. profession. This group is open to all students, especially those with a specialized focus in the psychiatry field. Beyond psychiatry, BHIG is also dedicated to contributing to the surrounding communities through service opportunities and mental health awareness programs and events.

Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA)

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations is a national organization that began in 1931. The chapter is composed of osteopathic student-doctors and other health care professionals at Liberty University who are committed to living out their faith through their profession and the example of their lives while providing support for medical students and their families. Benefits of the club include local events as well as regional and national seminars, journals, and newsletters.

Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group is devoted to developing students' interests in emergency medicine. Since emergencies present themselves to the physician at any and all times, this club seeks to instill those precepts necessary for handling an emergency properly and appropriately. The parent organizations are the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

National Osteopathic Women Physician Association (NOWPA)

The National Osteopathic Women Physician Association is a professional organization composed of female students. The purpose and objective of the organization is to further the study of women's interests and concerns in the field of medicine and to promote osteopathic medicine as a philosophy, a science, and an art.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group – SAAO (PMRIG)

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group promotes the education and preparation for interested members in the profession of PM&R. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), sometimes called physiatry, is a specialized branch of medicine that emphasizes the prevention, evaluation, and care of individuals with physical disabilities.

Such disabilities may arise from conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, neurological trauma, painful conditions and more.

Student Advocate Association (SAA)

The Student Advocate Association was organized for those who support the students at LUCOM and is chartered by the Advocates to the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA). The primary objective of the SAA is to further the goals of the College and the osteopathic profession and to support the students of LUCOM and those that support them, and to promote fellowship, goodwill, and unity within the school.

Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO)

The Student American Academy of Osteopathy is a professional organization dedicated to serving osteopathic medical students. It is the COM's extension of the American Academy of Osteopathy, a national association established in 1937. The academy maintains the goal of developing the science and art of total health care, with an emphasis on palpatory diagnosis and the use of osteopathic manipulative medicine. Membership in SAAO allows students to receive the AAO publications and to attend the annual convocation, both at reduced prices.

Student American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (SAOASM)

The Student American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine is a club for those interested in learning more about pursuing a career in sports medicine. We host hands-on, interactive clinics to hone specific skills needed for sports medicine, such as taping and bracing, and ultrasound guided joint injections. In addition, we offer opportunities to shadow team physicians on the sidelines at sporting events, as well as conducting sports physicals for youth athletes in the area. In our meetings, guest speakers discuss the ins and outs of every aspect of a career as a sports physician.

Students for Life – ACOOG (SFL)

Students for Life is an interest group under ACOOG who promote life at all stages. The goal of the group is to educate the student body about the rationale and ideals behind protecting God's creation. SFL hosts one event each semester to promote and discuss pro-life topics. 

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

The Student National Medical Association was created to produce sensitive, qualified physicians to serve minority and indigent communities. SNMA focuses on providing its members with avenues that help foster an obligation to practice medicine within minority communities; instituting programs for the dissemination of health care information and the empowerment of minority communities; and serving the fraternal needs of minority medical students.

Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) 

SOIMA is the student affiliate of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the national certifying board for osteopathic internists. SOIMA’s purpose is to educate osteopathic medical students about the opportunities open to osteopathic physicians specializing in internal medicine.  

Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)

SOMA is the official student organization of the American Osteopathic Association and the representative body for Osteopathic Medicine in the U.S.A. The Student Osteopathic Medical Association is one of the largest student groups on campuses of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, representing more than 90 percent of most student bodies. SOMA’s national affiliations with similar groups at other schools provide the largest network for information exchange and interaction available today. Membership in SOMA brings many benefits including free subscriptions to Student Doctor and Medical Student and discount prices on diagnostic equipment, the Preceptorship Program, SOMA scholarships, life insurance programs, and more. Locally, SOMA is involved in the school, hospital, and citizen communities through various service projects and socials.

American College of Osteopathic Surgeons – Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS; formerly known as SOSA)

The ACOS Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS) is the official students section of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS). ACOS-MSS was established to provide a means for students interested in the surgical specialties to participate in the activities and governance of the ACOS. The purpose of ACOS-MSS is to represent and educate future osteopathic surgeons through local chapters of ACOS-MSS at colleges of osteopathic medicine.

Sigma Sigma Phi

Sigma Sigma Phi is the original national osteopathic scholastic honor and service society that through its student affiliates, fosters student fellowship, scholarship, service to the College and the profession, and a commitment to the principles of osteopathic medicine.

Ultrasound Interest Group – EMIG (UIS)

Ultrasound Interest Group is a program designed to help students gain a better understanding of ultrasound techniques. The goal of the group is to encourage students to learn the skills required to use ultrasound in future clinical settings. These skills will be developed during lab sessions and passed down from year to year.

Virginia Society of Osteopathic Medicine Association (VOMA)

VOMA student chapter is the student division of the Virginia Osteopathic Association. It is open to all osteopathic students and deals with those medical and political issues unique to the state of Virginia. Benefits include invitations to a variety of conferences and educational programs, as well as financial support to these programs and scholarships.

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1.4 Governance & Program Policies