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Policies 5.0 - 5.10

5.0 Appearance and Demeanor


Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the institutional/student's policy regarding appearance and demeanor and to communicate general guidelines related to that policy.

Policy Statement
The Appearance and Demeanor policy is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

Individual written policies related to appropriate personal appearance and hygiene can be found within the individual program's student policies.

5.1 Confidentiality

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Uphold the confidentiality of health information, protect the privacy of patients, students/employees, and the institution/programs; and
  • Assure that all students are aware of the boundaries on the disclosure of information

Policy Statement
The Confidentiality policy is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

5.2 Identification (ID) Badges

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a system that provides constant and quick identification of students to patients, visitors, and other employees. In addition, the system provides:

  • Authorized entry into buildings, offices, and parking
  • A tool for campus security
  • Student identification for transacting business on campus (e.g., check cashing, parking payments, pharmacy payments, discounts at cafeteria, etc.), and participating in institutionally sponsored events and activities held on or off campus

Procedure
Badges are authorized based on Human Resources Information Services (HRIS) receiving a request from Dean of the School of Health Professions. HRIS issues the original badge and holder at no cost to the recipient. Badge holders must pay a fee for other replacement ID badges, to include lost, stolen or damaged badges.

Badge holders must wear the ID badges at all times while on property owned or under the control of the institution. The badge must be worn on the upper chest and be clearly visible to someone facing the wearer. The badge must be worn horizontally so that patients, guests and fellow students can easily read it. ID badges must be free of decoration. The ID badge holder may display small items such as recognition pins or professional affiliation pins; but such items must not restrict the view of the ID badge. The plastic ID badge holder may include other cards (e.g., mission statement and emergency cards). Such cards may not restrict the view of the ID badges and must not contain a magnetic strip (e.g., credit card).

Non-compliance is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Any student encountering an unknown person without proper identification in a non-public area should offer assistance. If the student has any doubt as to the person's response or demeanor, The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) should be notified.

Reference: Volume 5 UTMDACC

5.3 Smoking

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to to provide a smoke-free environment.

Policy Statement
The Smoking policy is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

5.4 Alcoholic Beverages

Purpose
Establish a guideline for alcohol consumption when representing the institution.

Policy Statement
The Alcoholic Beverages policy is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

5.5 Drug Detection and Deterrence

Purpose
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's School of Health Professions is committed to providing a safe work place for all employees and students, and to protecting the public's safety and ensuring their trust in the institution.

Policy Statement
As part of the admissions process, every student will be required to complete a drug screening. Any student found to have a positive drug screen would be denied admission to the school. This screening will be conducted during orientation by the Employee Health Department and all results will remain confidential. There is no cost to the student for this screening.

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's School of Health Professions will not tolerate the following behaviors:

  • Sale, purchase, transfer, use or possession of illegal drugs or prescription drugs obtained illegally
  • Abuse of legal (prescription or over-the-counter) drugs or alcohol
  • Arrival to class or the clinical setting under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol
  • Arrival to class or work under the influence of legal drugs to the extent that there is an adverse affect on the student's ability to perform

A student suspected of being under the influence may be removed from the classroom or clinical setting and referred for laboratory testing for the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol in the body.

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's School of Health Professions is willing to assist students who acknowledge that they have a substance abuse problem by providing assessment and referral to the Employee Assistance Program or other similar services.

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's School of Health Professions prohibits the illegal use of drugs and the use of alcohol on campus. Students who engage in such activity are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Any student who is convicted under a criminal statute for a drug-related offense is required to notify the dean and program officer or appropriate representative not later than 5 days after such conviction. The following are the sanctions for students convicted of substance-abuse-related crimes:

  • Any student convicted of illegal use, possession, and/or sale of a drug or narcotic on campus shall be dismissed
  • A felony conviction of a violation of any criminal drug statute for use, possession, dispersion, distribution, or manufacture of an illegal drug on M. D. Anderson premises will result in expulsion

Reference: Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, 20 U.S.C. section 1145g

Please also see the following policy and policy section, which are published in the Health Professions Student Catalog: Substance Abuse and Orientation (section of Admission policy).

5.6 Political Activity

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards by which a student of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions may participate in political activities.

Policy Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions to recognize the right of students to participate in political activities so long as such political activities do not:

  • Interfere with the performance of the duties and responsibilities related to The University of Texas System or The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions; and
  • Involve The University of Texas System or M. D. Anderson in partisan politics

Students who engage in political activity that interferes with the performance of their didactic and/or clinical performance must voluntarily terminate their position or be involuntarily terminated from the program.

5.7 Sexual Harassment

Purpose
Please see the Policy Overview of the Sexual Harassment policy, which is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

Policy Statement
Please see the Definition of Sexual Harassment within the Sexual Harassment policy, which is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

Procedure
Please see the following sections of the Sexual Harassment policy, which is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog:

Procedure: Introduction

Informal Complaints

Formal Complaints

5.8 Consensual Relationships

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a policy regarding consensual relationships within the academic and clinical environment.

Policy Statement
Please see the Consensual Relationships section of the Sexual Harassment policy, which is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

5.9 Solicitation and Distribution

Purpose
The purposes of this policy are to:

  • Protect students and non-students from unauthorized solicitations
  • Protect students and non-students from receiving unauthorized material; and
  • Ensure that the environment is consistent with the mission of the institution

Policy Statement
It is the policy of The School of Health Professions to permit solicitations only for activities sponsored by the school, institution or for which the institution is a beneficiary, and/or the distribution of materials/information that are a part of the business-related communications of the institution.

5.10 Hazing

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a policy of no tolerance for hazing.

Policy Statement
The Hazing policy is published in the Health Professions Student Catalog.

 


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