The College of Dentistry recognizes the need to develop its students as active and engaged members of the profession. Organizations such as ASDA and ADEA are instrumental in developing attitudes regarding the nature of our profession in society. As such, students are encouraged to participate in the several formal local, state, and national organizations. However, students must also recognize that their primary focus while enrolled is their own professional development.
Participation in extracurricular organizations, especially at officer level, is often time consuming and inherently competes with the time available for their own education. The College cannot allow extracurricular involvement to compromise the integrity of the students’ professional growth and their inherent role in direct patient care.
Students holding leadership positions in recognized student professional organizations must be deemed to be making satisfactory academic and clinical progress in all areas of their scholastic and clinical activities. Those who do not show satisfactory progression will not be allowed to leave for extracurricular activities (conferences, volunteer activities, mission trip, externships, etc.).
Any student that is requesting to participate in extracurricular activities must:
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Be in good academic standing
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Have all clinical requirements at minimum level projected for on-time graduation.
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Currently have at least a 3.00 GPA.
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Not have any Professional Concerns Reports or Skills Development Reports on record for the current or preceding semester at the time of the request for absence; further any student receiving a Professional Concerns Report or Skills Development Report will be ineligible for any such request during the current academic year.
Conferences
Students wanting to represent a student organization at regional or national conferences of a professional or honorary organization must receive approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs before making any travel arrangements.
Students wanting to present research projects at national or international conferences of scientific organizations (i.e., presenting poster or oral presentations) must receive approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation before making any travel arrangements.
Volunteering for Dental Events
1. All events at which students are invited to provide clinical service must be approved by the Administration of the College of Dentistry.
2. Students are not permitted to provide any form of direct care to patients, at any event or location, except under the direct supervision of approved College faculty.
3. Failure to comply with this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action, including the possibility of dismissal from the College of Dentistry.
All of these items will be monitored by the Office of Student Affairs up to the date of the specific absence. Any student with a request that is revoked due to violation of this policy may apply for a subsequent event after approval from the Office of Student Affairs. Please fill out the form below:
Student Absence Request Form
