Section 1: Introduction

1.1 Program and Policy Manual Introduction

The policies and procedures for the classroom component, also referred to as the first and second teaching times, of the DVM program are included in this handbook. For policies and procedures governing the clerkship experiences please refer to the Clerkship Student Handbook.

These policies and procedures are applied during the current Academic Year. By accepting a seat in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), you will be held to the policies and procedures included in this handbook. Minor changes to this handbook may be made regularly without notification. If significant changes are made, students will be notified. Please note that the electronic version of this handbook, posted to the website, supersedes all previous versions of this document.

Questions related to these policies and procedures should be directed to the Associate Dean for Professional Programs, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, the Director of Student Success, and/or the Director of Assessment and Chair of the Standards Committee. Suggested revisions may also be relayed through the student representatives elected to the College’s curriculum board.

1.2 College Mission Statement

The mission of this college is to protect and enhance animal, human, and environmental health and welfare through:

• The education of a diverse population of professional, post-graduate, and undergraduate students in preparation for careers in the broad areas of veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health;
• The creation, dissemination, and application of new medical and public health knowledge via discovery, publication, education, and engagement;
• Provision of excellent and compassionate clinical service to animals, animal owners, and producers in Virginia, Maryland, and the surrounding region.

1.2.1 Principles of Community

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. Learning from the experiences that shape Virginia Tech as an institution, we acknowledge those aspects of our legacy that reflected bias and exclusion.

Therefore, we adopt and practice the following principles as fundamental to our on- going efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members:

• We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
• We affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
• We affirm the value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University. We acknowledge and respect our differences while affirming our common humanity.
• We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.
• We pledge our collective commitment to these principles in the spirit of the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

1.3 AVMA COE Accreditation

The college is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council of Education (AVMA COE). The last AVMA COE site visit was in 2021 and the next visit is scheduled for 2028.

The accreditation process involves a very comprehensive and detailed examination of a college’s programs and the accreditation team conducts an extensive site visit in which they rigorously inspect and evaluate the physical plant and facilities, budgets, operations, and policies. They also conduct extensive interviews with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and university administrators in order to ascertain their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the college’s programs.

1.4 Virginia Tech Accrditation

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Virginia Tech may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.