Standing Committee Charges

Professionalism Reporting

  • Charge:

    1. The charge of the Admissions Committee is to select a sufficient number of well qualified students for enrollment in the MD program.
    2. The Committee has the complete and final authority to evaluate and admit medical students. This authority extends to all joint degrees of which the MD is a part and includes admission with advanced standing.
    3. The Admissions Committee develops and approves policies related to the admissions committee.
    4. The selection of students will not be influenced by political or financial factors.
    5. The Associate and Assistant Deans for Admissions organize, facilitate and execute the decisions of the committee.
    6. The Admissions Committee establishes ad hoc working groups or subcommittees as needed.
    7. The Committee reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education (or other responsible administrator designated by the Dean).

    Membership

    • The Committee is chaired by a faculty member who is recommended by the Associate Dean for Admissions and approved by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    • New members are elected by the current Admissions Committee from faculty and students who have previously served on the Evaluation and Recruitment Subcommittee (see below).
    • The Committee has a minimum membership of 15 faculty and 8 students all of whom are voting members of the Committee.
    • Committee members and the Chair serve one-year terms and may be re-elected with no maximum term of service.
    • The Associate and Assistant Deans for Admissions serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the Committee.

    Subcommittees

    • The Evaluation and Recruitment Subcommittee
      • The Evaluation and Recruitment Subcommittee is charged with conducting applicant interviews and documenting an assessment of each applicant for the Keck School of Medicine MD program Admissions Committee review process.
      • The Evaluation and Recruitment Subcommittee members are selected by the Associate and Assistant Deans for Admissions from self-nominated faculty and students.
      • Committee members serve one-year terms and may be re-elected with no maximum term of service.
    • The Waitlist Subcommittee
      • The Waitlist Subcommittee is comprised of three faculty members of the Admissions Committee.
      • The Waitlist Subcommittee faculty are selected by the Admissions Committee chair.
    • The Waitlist Subcommittee has delegated authority from the Admissions Committee to accept individuals from the waitlist based on criteria approved by the Admissions Committee.

    Quorum

    • A quorum consists of one-half of the members of the committee.
    • A candidate receiving a majority vote of accept by a quorum of Admissions Committee members is offered admission.
    • The majority of votes to accept must come from faculty members.
    • A quorum must be present for the committee to conduct business.

    Reviewed and Approved: August 14, 2024

    Medical Education Executive Council

  • Charge

    1. The Medical Education Curriculum Committee (MECC) has the authority to formulate and approve policies related to curriculum for the MD program. The MECC oversees the MD curriculum as a whole, including the overall design, management, integration, evaluation and assessment, standards of achievement, and enhancement of a coherent and coordinated curriculum.
    2. The MECC ensures the implementation of approved medical education program objectives to guide the selection of educational content, review and revise the curriculum, and establish the basis for evaluating programmatic effectiveness.
    3. The MECC uses medical student feedback and other appropriate internal and external outcome measures to monitor and assess the curriculum, and enhance the quality of the teaching and educational program.
    4. The MECC ensures the consistency and comparability of educational experiences.
    5. The MECC establishes ad hoc working group or subcommittees as needed.
    6. The MECC has three subcommittees: the Pre-Clinical Curriculum Committee, the Clinical Curriculum Committee and the Course Review Committee.
    7. The MECC reports to the Vice Dean for Medical Education.

    Membership

    1. The MECC is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    2. Voting members include:
      • The Chairs of the Preclinical and Clinical Curriculum Committees.
      • A total of eighteen (18) additional faculty members selected from the faculty at large with the following composition:
        • Nine (9) of the voting faculty committee member positions are determined by election of the Keck Faculty Council and nine (9) are made by appointment of the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education;
        • At least five (5) voting faculty members are from basic science departments or are faculty scientists who do not provide direct clinical care;
        • No more than four (4) voting members can have appointments in the same department.
    3. Medical Education Curriculum Committee members serve up to two three (3)-year terms or may serve up to six (6) consecutive years.
    4. Peer-Elected Student Curriculum Representatives, three students per class. Peer-elected student curriculum representatives are allotted one collective vote per class. Student members have no term limit.
    5. Unanticipated vacancies are filled by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. Faculty appointed to fill unanticipated vacancies complete the vacated term and are eligible for up to six (6) years of consecutive service.
    6. The MECC Chair can vote in the event of a tie.
    7. Ex officio, non-voting members include:
      • Vice Dean for Medical Education
      • Associate Dean for Student Affairs
      • Assistant Dean for Pre-Clinical Curriculum
      • Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum
      • Assistant Dean for Medical Education
      • Representative of the Keck School of Medicine Faculty Council
      • Registrar

    Subcommittees

    Pre-Clinical Curriculum Committee (PCCC):

    1. The PCCC has oversight of the pre-clerkship curriculum, including the overall design, management, integration, evaluation, and enhancement of a coherent and coordinated course of studies.
    2. The PCCC is chaired by a pre-clerkship phase course director chosen by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education for a term of three years. Voting members include the directors of all pre-clerkship phase courses, all discipline coordinators, and peer-elected student curriculum representatives in the pre-clerkship phase who have one vote per class per phase of the curriculum.
    3. The PCCC reports all actions and presents all recommendations to the MECC for final review and action.

    Clinical Curriculum Committee (CCC):

    1. The CCC has oversight of the clerkship and post-clerkship phases of the curriculum, including the overall design, management, integration, evaluation, and enhancement of a coherent and coordinated course of studies.
    2. The CCC is chaired by a clerkship director chosen by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education for a term of three years. Voting members include the directors of all clerkships, medical student educators, and peer-elected student curriculum representatives in the clerkship or post-clerkship phase who have one vote per class per phase of the curriculum.
    3. The CCC reports all actions and presents all recommendations to the MECC for final review and action.

    Course Review Committee (CRC):

    • The CRC is charged with performing comprehensive annual reviews of all required courses (modules, blocks, longitudinal courses, seminars, transition courses) and clerkships and developing recommendations for improvements for consideration and action by the MECC.
    • The committee is co-chaired by one basic scientist and one clinical faculty member chosen by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education for terms of one year which may be renewed. Voting members include twelve (12) faculty-at-large, with representation of basic scientists and clinical faculty. The manager of the faculty and course evaluation process serves as an ex-officio non-voting member of the CRC.
    • The CRC reports all actions and presents all recommendations to the MECC for final review and action.

    Quorum:

    A quorum is met in the MECC and its subcommittees when a simple majority of the voting membership is present. A simple majority vote of those present is required for any motion to pass.

    MECC members are expected to attend all meetings. Attendance of members is reviewed annually and members with attendance rates of less than 50% may be released from serving on the MECC, even if prior to completion of their expected term.

    Reviewed and Approved: August 7, 2024 Medical Education Executive Council

  • Charge:

      1. The Medical Education Executive Council shall adhere to the Keck School of Medicine Governance Document.
      2. The Medical Education Executive Council has oversight of the overall medical student experience, including strategic priorities and resource allocation.
      3. The Medical Education Executive Council has the authority to approve policy that include student affairs, diversity, student health and wellbeing, student records, and scholarships and financial aid.
      4. The Medical Education Executive Council is responsible for ensuring compliance with LCME accreditation standards, educational facilities, medical student health and wellness, and technology support.
      5. The Medical Education Executive Council is responsible for oversight of and policies related to the learning environment.
      6. The Medical Education Executive Council is advisory to the Dean and to the Medical Education Curriculum Committee.

    Membership:

    1. The council is chaired by the Vice Dean for Medical Education (or other responsible administrator, as charged by the Dean).
    2. The members of the council include:
      1. The Associate and Assistant Deans for Curriculum, Student Affairs, Student Engagement & Cultural Affairs, Research, Admissions, and Learner Wellbeing.
      2. The Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education (Keck).
      3. The Chair and Vice Chairs of the Department of Medical Education.
      4. Additional members appointed at the discretion of the of the chair of the Medical Education Executive Council.

    Quorum:

    A quorum is met when a simple majority of the voting membership is present and a simple majority vote of those present is required for any motion to pass.

    Reviewed and Approved: July 22, 2024

    Carolyn Meltzer, MD

    Dean, Keck School of Medicine

  • Charge:

    1. The Student Performance Committee (SPC) evaluates the academic performance and professional conduct of all students.
    2. The SPC determines the ability of a student to meet the Technical Standards.
    3. The SPC makes decisions about remediation, promotion, dismissal and graduation.
    4.  The SPC establishes ad hoc or subcommittees as needed.

    Membership:

    1. The Committee Chair is appointed by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education. 
    2. Voting members of the SPC include:
      1. 6 faculty members self- or peer-nominated and elected by the faculty council.
      2.  6 faculty appointed by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education 
      3. The SPC Chair can vote in the event of a tie.
    3. Selection of Committee Members and Terms of Service
      1. The chair serves a one-year term and can serve up to three consecutive terms.
      2. SPC members serve three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms.
      3. The appointed faculty are selected by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education based on expertise and their ability to serve the needs of the SPC.
      4. Unanticipated vacancies may be filled to complete the vacated term by appointment by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    4.  Ex officio, non-voting members include:
      1. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs
      2. The Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
      3. The Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Cultural Affairs
      4. The Registrar

    Quorum:

    For regular business of the SPC, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership and a simple majority vote is required for any motion to pass. In cases of potential dismissal of a student, two thirds of the membership is required to constitute a quorum and a two thirds affirmative vote is required for dismissal.

    Reporting:

    1.  The SPC reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    2. All decisions of the SPC are reported to the Vice Dean for Medical Education (or other responsible administrator designated by the Dean).

    Approved:August 14, 2024

    Medical Education Executive Council 

  • The Keck School of Medicine of USC abides by the University of Southern California’s Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Non Discrimination policy. The Keck School of Medicine of USC does not discriminate against qualified applicants or enrolled students with disabilities. The Technical Standards are not intended to deter any candidate or enrolled student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the curriculum.

    Charge:

    The Technical Standards Committee is charged with:

    1. Determining if medical students referred to the committee or returning from a University leave of absence meet the Keck School of Medicine’s Technical Standards;
    2. Determining if a proposed accommodation for students with disabilities is a possible fundamental alteration of the academic program and communicates its conclusions to the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) and the Student Performance Committee (SPC).

    Membership:

    1. The Committee Chair is appointed by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    2. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs serves as an ex officio, non-voting member.
    3. Voting members of the Technical Standards Committee include:
      1. Technical Standards Committee Chair
      2. Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
      3. Assistant Dean of Educational Administration/Registrar
      4. Assistant Deans for Curriculum
      5. Assistant Dean for Assessment and Scholarship
      6. Program Accommodation Liaison
      7. One basic science faculty member
      8. One clerkship director
      9. One director/associate director of a residency program
      10. One representative from the USC Office of Student Accessibility Services

    Quorum:

    For regular business of the committee, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership and a simple majority vote is required for any motion to pass.

    Procedures:

    Students to be reviewed by the Technical Standards Committee:

    1. Any and all referrals to the Committee by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Associate Dean for Admissions, or the SPC.
    2. All students who are approved by the university to return from a health leave of absence.
    3. Students referred by the Program Accommodation Liaison to determine if an approved accommodation is a fundamental alteration of the academic program.
    4. A student whose circumstances will be considered by the Technical Standards Committee will be given notice of the meeting at least five (5) business days before it is held.
    5. The Committee may require a student to provide evidence that they are able to meet the Technical Standards.
    6. A student will have the opportunity to appear or to submit a written statement prior to the Committee’s deliberation. The Committee may request that the student appear when their case is reviewed.
    7. The Committee will review the student’s case and will render a decision about the student’s ability to meet the Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
    8. In the event that the Committee determines that the accommodation approved by the USC Office of Student Accessibility Services is inconsistent with the Technical Standards, or that the accommodation requested is not deemed to be reasonable considering the curricular requirements of the MD program, a meeting is called with the chair of the Committee or designee, the director of the USC Office of Student Accessibility Services or designee, and if needed the ADA/504 Coordinator or designee, and the OGC.  If a solution is found from the meeting, the recommendation is implemented. If a solution cannot be found from that meeting, the school can escalate the concern to the Provost, who is the final arbiter on the question of whether an accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of a program.
    9. Where the health, safety, or welfare of students, patients, or other members of the medical school and university community are deemed to be at risk, the Committee may issue an interim suspension from the medical school or take any other protective action pending final resolution of the student’s ability to meet Technical Standards.
    10. Enrolled students may be referred to the Student Performance Committee for consideration for dismissal if the Technical Standards Committee concludes that the student’s inability to meet the Technical Standards places patients or others at risk or jeopardizes their ability to safely or effectively participate in the MD Program.
    11. Guidance about a student’s ability to meet the Technical Standards will be sought as appropriate from additional University offices including but not limited to: Campus Support and Intervention, Department of Public Safety, Equity and Diversity, General Counsel, Office of Wellness, USC Student Health Services, KSOM Educational Technology and KSOM Diversity and Inclusion. If the Committee determines that a case does not fall within the scope of a technical standards issue or accommodation, the Committee will refer the case to the appropriate university office.
    12. The Committee Chair may call an emergency meeting as needed to discuss emerging cases.
    13. All members of the Committee will be required to sign a confidentiality statement on an annual basis and to disclose potential conflicts of interest prior to case discussions. Any Committee member who has a conflict of interest in a case must recuse themself from the action under consideration.
    14. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will execute the Committee’s decisions. The Committee reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.
    15. All Committee decisions are reported to the Vice Dean for Medical Education.

    Appeal Process:

    Decisions made by the Technical Standards Committee may be appealed by the student to the Vice Dean for Medical Education per the Appeal Process.

    Reviewed and Approved: August 7, 2024

    Medical Education Executive Council