Student Appeals – Remediation
If the student disagrees with the terms of the Remediation Plan by the School of Medicine Readiness Committee (SRC), they must submit a written summary of suggested amendments and/or reasons for the amendment within 5 business days of meeting with the SJV PRIME+ Advisor. The suggested amendments will then be conveyed by the SJV PRIME+ Advisor to the SRC Co-Chairs, and if applicable, the SRC Co-Chairs will make a decision regarding any potential amendments to the Remediation Plan and then communicate that decision to the SJV PRIME+ Advisor. The SJV PRIME+ Advisor will relay the final decision to the student. Students failing to meet the expectations outlined in the Remediation Plan will be subject to dismissal from the SJV PRIME+ Program.
Student Appeals – Dismissal
If the student disagrees with the SRC decision regarding dismissal from the program, the student has 10 business days to make a written appeal via email addressed to the SRC. Requests for extension may be considered. The SRC Co-Chairs will forward the student’s appeal to the UCSF SOM Associate Dean for Regional Campuses to make a final decision in consultation with UCM Director of DOME and UCSF SOM Associate Dean of Admissions. If a student decides to appeal, a letter should contain the following elements:
- A description of events or challenges that impacted academic performance, program engagement during the semester(s), or ability to fulfill the Remediation Plan. Please include any specific dates/timelines.
- An explanation of how those events or challenges impacted specific classes or meeting program expectations.
- A description of the specific ways and frequency in which the student sought assistance including the resources, faculty, and staff.
- A detailed plan including the specific steps the student will take if they are allowed to remain in the SJV PRIME+ Program. Students should ensure the plan addresses the events/challenges they described. The student’s appeal will be reviewed by the appropriate parties (see graphic below) and the SRC Co-Chairs will be provided with a final decision within 10 business days. The SRC Co-Chairs will respond to the student with the final decision to uphold or reverse the original dismissal decision. Note: If a student does not submit an appeal within 10 business days from when the official email notification of the dismissal decision, the student waives the right to appeal and the SRC decision will remain final.
The student’s appeal will be reviewed by the appropriate parties (see graphic below) and the SRC Co-Chairs will be provided with a final decision within 10 business days. The SRC Co-Chairs will respond to the student with the final decision to uphold or reverse the original dismissal decision.
Note: If a student does not submit an appeal within 10 business days from when the official email notification of the dismissal decision, the student waives the right to appeal and the SRC decision will remain final.
Voluntary Withdrawal
Students considering voluntarily withdrawing from the SJV PRIME+ program, may meet with any faculty or staff in SJV PRIME+ to discuss their decision. If a student decides to withdraw from SJV PRIME+ at any time, the student should submit a written statement via email addressed to the Student Affairs Manager. The written statement should include the following:
- Date of statement
- Date withdrawal is in effect
- If comfortable stating, the reason the student wishes to withdraw
- Close with full name, UCM email, and UCM student ID number
Some reasons for voluntary withdrawal may include a student wishing to attend a medical school other than UCSF School of Medicine, not intending to return to the San Joaquin Valley to practice medicine, or wishing to pursue a different career path. Students who withdraw from or are dismissed from the SJV PRIME+ Program are still UC Merced students, unless determined otherwise or plan to leave UC Merced (see UCM Office of Registrar policies and processes on Leaving UC Merced). Students who withdraw from SJV PRIME+ will be offered an exit interview.
Off-boarding for Voluntary Withdrawal and Dismissal
Following formal withdrawal or dismissal from the SJV PRIME+ Program, the Student Affairs Manager will notify Bobcat Advising or the Director of Advising for the respective school* based on the student’s declared major that the student is no longer in the SJV PRIME+ program. The student will continue to meet with their respective UCM major academic advisor. Additionally, the SJV PRIME+ Program will direct students to UC Merced Pre-Health Advising for general career guidance, medical school application assistance, and/or outline plans to take the MCAT.
*School of Natural Sciences (SNS); School of Social Science, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA); School of Engineering (SoE)
