Medical Student Handbook

M.D. Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Tentative M.D. Student Refund Dates*

*Dates are tentative and subject to change. 

Last Day for M.D. Students to Pay Trimester Campus Connection Charges to Avoid Late Fee

Tuition & Fees, Housing & Food payments for the applicable trimester are due on this day to avoid a 1.75% late payment fee. See Late Payment Fee for additional information. 

Introduction Statement of Responsibilities

The University of North Dakota strives to develop a community dedicated to learning for all students, and in that spirit the University Senate approved the Community Values Statement. This statement affirms the following:

1. That everyone be allowed to work, learn and live in a safe, caring environment.
2. That everyone learn about, understand, appreciate and respect varied cultures.
3. That everyone matters.
4. That all individuals be respected and treated with dignity and civility.
5. That everyone continue to share in the responsibility of making UND a better place.

As part of the University of North Dakota community, the School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) medical program utilizes these values in the development of a professional community of students, staff, and faculty who share the responsibility for the achievement of the common goal of the training and development of competent physicians who exhibit and maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and a commitment to excellence. Achievement of this goal is a complex process with numerous incremental stages through which a student must evolve. The progress of students is monitored to ensure and facilitate each student's adherence to proper standards of performance within all components of the curriculum.

Code for Medical Students (CMS)

The University of North Dakota Code of Student Life can be found in the Code of Student Life page. Since the SMHS doctor of medicine degree (M.D.) program is a professional program there are additional standards for knowledge, skills, and behavioral performance. In granting a student the M.D. degree, the faculty and the Dean of UND SMHS endorse each student as having acquired the attitude, knowledge, and skills appropriate for entry into graduate medical training through the demonstration of appropriate standards of academic performance. This document describes the system employed by the SMHS for considering matters of student progress and should be used by students and faculty alike as a guide to the standards and expectations of the SMHS and the process used by the school to properly certify its students for the M.D. degree.

Each student in the medical degree program has the responsibility of abiding by the rules and regulations of the University of North Dakota, the SMHS, and clinical affiliates and meeting the standards of academic performance. At the same time, each student has the right to be afforded the benefit of policies and procedures in matters related to his/her progress through the medical curriculum and with respect to grievances of an academic nature.

Section 1 - FERPA Statement

The University of North Dakota requires all its employees to comply with all of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended. It is good for our students; it's good for us; and it's the law.

Whether you are faculty, staff, or students, maintaining the confidentiality of our students' records is everyone's responsibility.

Full statement

Section 2 - Policies

For all SMHS student policies, visit the Student Policies page.

Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees

Section 3 – Procedures  

Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean's Letter) Information

• MSPE Procedure

Section 4 - Harassment and Discrimination

• Equal Opportunity and Title IX

Section 5 - Disability Statement

A student requesting disability accommodations is expected to be registered with Student Disability Resources.

Section 6 - Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Information
• Financial Aid Leave of Absence Policy
• RuralMed

• Liability Insurance Certificate
• Medical Student Long Term Disability Insurance Benefits
• Conversion Privilege - Students Final Year
• ISI Health Insurance for International Rotations
• Insurance & Billing | Student Health Services | University of North Dakota

Medical School Leadership

Medical Student Class Officers

• President: Provides general leadership for the class. Often represents the class to the administration. Establishes other committees as needed and may serve on these committees. Introduces and thanks the physician and patient of each case wrap-up and attends the president's meeting once a block.
• Secretary-Treasurer: Keeps minutes of class meetings. Keeps the books for all class funds and disburses any funds which are spent. Automatically serves on the UND SMHS Student Council, serving as Student Council Secretary for a year and as Treasurer for the second year.
• Vice President: Will serve on the Faculty Council. Assists with faculty led surveys. Assists the President with general leadership.
• Communications Coordinator: Acts as a voice for their class. Communicates information to their classmates and works with faculty and staff to ensure communication needs are met. Assists with faculty led surveys.
• Student Council: The class President, the class Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and Communications Coordinator comprise the student council, which conducts the annual Pre-Med Day, budgets funds to support various student organizational activities, and may undertake a number of other projects.
• Class Information Officer (CIO): Serves as a liaison between medical students and information technology services, library technology services, etc. Monitors and maintains any class webpages.

Medical School and Campus-Wide Services

• IT Services are available to medical students through the Information Resources Office.
• Medical Media can help students design and print brochures, flyers, posters, and more.
• It is the responsibility of all members of the campus community to observe the UND Tobacco Free Campus Policy.
• Campus Safety/Emergencies website provides information about campus security and emergency planning and response, including weather and travel alerts.
• UND Safety Escort Program is a service provided 24 hours a day by UND security or police officers to escort you to your destination on campus or locations near campus. Call 701.777.3491 or visit the Personal Public Safety page. Use the “Blue Light” telephone units located throughout campus in a crisis situation. The website also provides personal safety tips and information.
• Office of Safety website provides services and resources dedicated to personal safety and security, including crime alerts, anonymous crime reporting, and emergency contact numbers.
• American Indian Center provides culturally appropriate student support services designed to enhance the academic and personal success of American Indian students attending UND.
• Student Diversity & Inclusion provides quality support services to enhance African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic American, and mixed race student success at the University.
• The Pride Center and the UND Ten Percent Society provides a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for GLBTQ students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater Grand Forks community.
• Office of Veterans and Nontraditional Students Services provides guidance and support for the veteran and nontraditional student.
• The Women’s Center offers services, programs, and resources to support the health, safety, and success of women at UND.
• The International Center supports international education and promotes cultural awareness.  
• UNDerground site lists housing/roommate postings; carpools and rides; tickets, books, electronics, and furniture to buy or sell; and more.

Housing

• On Campus Housing options for graduate and professional students include apartment-style housing, traditional apartments, and family housing.
• UNDerground includes roommate and housing postings (off campus).
• Apartment Ratings and Reviews in Grand Forks (off campus).

Transportation

• Campus Shuttles provide free transportation around campus, including a night route.
• Cities Area Transit (CAT) is the public transportation provider for Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. UND students ride free with a student ID card and CAT bus pass, available at the Student Government Office in the Memorial Union.
• Free street parking is available, but limited, along University and Columbia and side streets; be sure to pay attention to parking regulations for scheduled street maintenance.
• UND Parking Services includes information about parking on campus and off campus, bicycles, shuttle services, safety escorts, and the process for purchasing a parking permit.

Student Involvement, Culture, and Entertainment

• The Grand Forks Herald and New York Times are available free to medical students.
• Popular Reading Collection books are available in the Reading Room of the Chester Fritz Library
• The Chester Fritz Auditorium, the finest facility of its kind from Minneapolis to the West Coast, brings nationally acclaimed performers to campus and hosts many UND events.
• Burtness Theatre in historic Chandler Hall showcases plays, musical theatre, and opera.
• North Dakota Museum of Art is a contemporary art museum recognized nationally for its collection of contemporary American Indian art, groundbreaking human rights exhibitions, work with international artists, and the commissioning of landmark works of art anchored in the landscape, history, and culture of the Northern Plains.
• Feast of Nations, organized by UND’s International Organization, is the biggest multicultural event in North Dakota. Held annually at the Alerus Center, it offers a taste of the world through exciting performances, cultural displays, and delicious food.
• The UND Writers Conference brings Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Laureates, and other distinguished writers to campus each spring for readings, panels, and workshops—all free and open to the public.
• The Writing Center is a place for students and faculty to talk about their work in progress with a writing consultant.
• Browse the more than 250 Student Organizations available at UND.
• Purchase Men's Hockey student ticket or season passes when you create your green and white account. Seats are first come first served; the student section is on center ice. Visit fightinghawks.com or the Student Ticket Office on the main level of the Memorial Union for more details.
• All other sporting events are free for students. Tickets are available from the Student Ticket Office on the main level of the Memorial Union up to two weeks prior to the game on a first come first served basis. Bring your student ID card. Visit fightinghawks.com for more information.
• Simply Grand website is the clearinghouse for things to do in the greater Grand Forks community.

Student Health and Wellness

Holistic Wellness

• The Office of Student Affairs & Admissions Total Wellness Program offers a range of services and resources to help medical students set and reach their goals for academic, career, personal, and financial wellness in each year of their undergraduate medical education (see next section of Handbook).
• UND Health & Wellness Hub in McCannel Hall has information on a variety of health topics, including general health, mental health, sexual health, nutrition, physical activity, and substance abuse.
• Incorporate the Seven Dimensions of Wellness—spiritual, intellectual, occupational, environmental, physical, social, and emotional—into your daily life with resources around UND and beyond.

Emotional Health

The UND Counseling Center offers individual, group, and couple counseling and substance abuse services. UCC staff psychologists and counselors are available for crisis walk-ins anytime Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4:30 pm or call 701.777.2127. For a crisis situation after business hours or on weekends, call 701.777.2127, then press 1 to be connected to the crisis line.

Physical Health

• UND Student Health Services is a full-service medical clinic providing acute, chronic, and preventive care. Office visits by students for sickness and injury are free; extra charges apply for lab, radiology, pharmacy, and special procedures. To make an appointment, call 701.777.2605 or 701.777.4500 or stop by the clinic at McCannel Hall, Room 100. Once you’re an established patient, you can access your health information at the Patient Portal. Sign in with your UND username and password following your clinic visit.

• If you have experienced an unwanted sexual encounter, sexual violence, or sexual harassment, UND has a number of resources available to help you. See the Sexual Violence Programs information on the Personal Safety page and the CVIC at UND page.

• Title IX provides information, resources, and support for students who have experienced an unwanted sexual encounter, sexual violence, or sexual harassment. UND is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students.
• The UND Wellness Center has fitness classes, intramurals, cooking and nutrition classes, rock wall, outdoor equipment rental, and much more. A Wellness Center membership is included as part of your student fees while you are enrolled in classes.
• Visit the Healthy UND Walks website for maps of 13 indoor and outdoor walking trails around campus.
• The Grand Forks Park District oversees a community full of great parks, ice rinks, arenas, golf courses, dog parks, cross country ski trails, and more.
• The Greenway is approximately 2,200 acres of natural open space in the heart of Grand Forks/East Grand Forks and features several parks, a campground, three disc golf courses, shore bank fishing sites, over 20 miles of multipurpose trails, and more. In the winter, cross country skis, skates, and snowshoes are available for free at the Lincoln Drive Park warming house.
• Ground Up Adventures is a local, non-profit organization that offers adventure-based activities for all ages, including rock climbing, paddling club, adventure races, and an orienteering course.
• ENDracing (Extreme North Dakota Racing) sponsors races year-round designed to challenge racers of all ages and abilities, including the popular Iceman Triathlon and the Uff Da Mud Run.

Spiritual Health

• Spiritual Wellness resources, information, events, and sites around campus and beyond.
• Christian Churches in Grand Forks.
• B’nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks.
• Islamic Center of Grand Forks is located at 2122 17^th Ave South.
• Red River Freethinkers organization.
• Great Plains Atheists

Education and Daycare Services

• The University Children’s Learning Center is open to the Greater Grand Forks community, as well as UND students, faculty, and staff.
• Child Care Resource and Referral offers information, an online searchable database, and personal assistance for child care decisions in the area.
• Grand Forks Public Schools
• Grand Forks Head Start

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

News from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (March, 2021)

Choosing members:

From the AOA website

“Membership in AΩA may be attained as a medical student, resident, fellow, faculty member, alumni, clinician, or distinguished leader in medicine. The criteria for nomination includes, but is not limited to, scholastic achievement which refers to excellence in physicianship, demonstrated professionalism, leadership capabilities, adherence to ethical standards, fairness in dealing with colleagues, achievement in medicine and/or research, and a record of service to school and community. Physicians or scientists who have attained distinction in any endeavor related to medicine, and who are not eligible for election by other means, may be elected as honorary members. AΩA advocates for diversity in all its forms when identifying candidates for nomination – identity, cultural, geographic, experiential, race, ethnicity, gender, age, economic and social status, physical abilities, aptitude, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and other ideologies”. 

For medical students, the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Councilor, and their designees, identify a pool of candidates who approximate in number the upper quartile of the class expected to graduate, and who have excelled in the criteria for nomination to AΩA membership” www.alphaomegaalpha.org

Ten Thing to Know About AOA

 Considerations for UND SMHS:

• Nominations are solicited from the Deans, Clinical Chairpersons and faculty of the medical school.
• List is compiled and finalized after completion of third academic year to allow consideration of performance on basic science and clinical rotations.
• Additional characteristics considered for membership include student leadership, community service, research experience, as well as academic achievement, with the goal of rewarding excellence in "physicianship"....
• Campus Deans and Dean of Student Affairs along with their designees comprise the nomination committee and compile the final list.
• Final nominees are personally notified before September 15 by the AOA Honor Society chapter councilor.
• Final list of nominees submitted to national office in time for students to include in their residency applications.  Membership is awarded by the national organization upon payment of dues.
• The list of new AOA chapter members are announced annually at the commencement award ceremony.

AOA Nominations

• Class of 2023
• Class of 2024
• Class of 2025

Gold Humanism Honor Society

The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a national society with more than 175 chapters in medical schools and residency programs. The UND SMHS chapter of GHHS formally recognizes and honors medical students, residents, and faculty who exemplify humanistic values such as integrity, compassion, altruism, respect, excellence, communication, empowerment, and empathy. GHHS strives to inspire the strengthening of these personal attributes and endeavors to facilitate the growth of competent, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and socially responsible physicians. GHHS facilitates UND SMHS’s strong commitment to our mission to serve our diverse and pluralistic communities with sensitivity, compassion, and equality and recognizes those students, residents, and faculty who exemplify the humanistic values which are essential to doing so.

The UND chapter of GHHS also bestows The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation to a graduating medical student and a physician faculty member who best exemplify the Gold Foundation’s ideals of outstanding humanism and compassion in the delivery of care; respect for patients, their families, and healthcare colleagues; and clinical excellence.

GHHS and the Tow Award are supported by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The UND chapter is sponsored by the UND Dean’s office and the Office of Student Affairs & Admissions. For more info, visit the GHHS website or the Student Involvement webpage.

Selection for GHHS Membership

• Nominations letters of support are solicited from 3^rd-year medical students and all residents in January for classmates, residents, and faculty who demonstrate humanistic qualities listed above.
• Nominees with strong support are asked to submit CVs and a personal reflection which discusses what humanism in medicine means to them and addresses how they might cultivate an environment of compassionate care and support for patients and peers.
• The Medical School Selection Committee is composed of Chapter Advisors and elected student GHHS officials. The Residency Selection Committee is composed of 5 Residency Program Directors and the Director of Graduate Medical Education. New GHHS members are selected in March.
• Up to 15% of the 3^rd year medical school class, up to 6 residents, and up to 4 faculty members are selected for induction into GHHS each year.
• Students/residents must be in good academic standing to be eligible.
• Inductees are formally honored at the annual induction ceremony and reception in the following summer and are recognized at graduation, at the senior award ceremonies, and in the Dean’s letter. Students are recognized individually, receive a GHHS certificate and pin, and recite the GHHS Oath.
• A list of inductees is submitted to the GHHS national office in time for students to include membership in their residency applications. No dues are collected from students for membership.

Selection for the Tow Award

• Nominations are solicited from 4^th-year medical students during January-February.
• Students submit letters of support to nominate classmates, residents, and faculty. Nominees are expected to be exemplars of humanistic values and clinical excellence.
• Nominees with strong support are asked to submit CVs and a personal reflection on what humanism in medicine means to them.
• The Tow Award Selection Committee is composed of the GHHS Chapter Advisors and available previous Tow Award recipients. This committee selects the awardees in March.
• One graduating medical student and one MD or DO clinical faculty member receive the Tow Award.
• Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible.
• Scholarships of up to $500 from the Gold Foundation as funds allow are given to awardees. Recipients are honored at the Senior Awards Ceremony and GHHS Induction Ceremony.

Activities of GHHS

• Members set an example of humanism in medicine, share ideas, pass along and lead programs and activities, and create a history and tradition for GHHS.
• GHHS hosts organized activities such as donations of clothes and care products for recently incarcerated women and children through Heart River Bridges of Hope, Bites & Burnout discussions on how to handle stress and build support systems in medical school, helping write the Guide to Surviving Medical School, and writing Letters to a 1^st-year Medical Student.
• GHHS also is involved in mentorship and tutoring programs to cultivate student achievement and success while modeling our core traits of service, compassion, respect, and excellence.

GHHS Inductees

• Class of 2023
• Class of 2024
• Class of 2025