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School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Medical Center

Additional rights and responsibilities

Appropriate use of university premises

Audio summary [00:11]


Virginia Commonwealth University asserts that every student has the right to appropriate use of university premises in the pursuit of educational goals, occupational endeavors and recreational activities. Therefore, according to Virginia Commonwealth University Rules and Procedures PDF, no person, either single or in concert with others, shall willfully:

  • Unreasonably stop or obstruct the free movement of any person or vehicle, or unreasonably obstruct passageway, entrance, or exit.
  • Refuse to leave any University premise after being ordered to do so by an authorized member of the University community.
  • Destroy or damage land, buildings, or equipment owned or controlled by the University, the personal possessions of any individual, or without proper authorization, use, remove, or fail to return property.
  • Without permission, enter any office of an administrative officer, faculty member, or employee, or student office or room.
  • Enter into, or remain in, any University premise for other than an authorized purpose.

Access to and protection of educational records

Audio summary [00:09]


The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records, including:

  • The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the university receiving a request for such access (Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department or other appropriate official written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.)
  • The right to request the amendment of the student’s education record that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading
  • The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent

A school official may disclose a student’s educational record without consent to other school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent from directory information such as student name, date admitted, mailing address and telephone number, etc. Students have the right to withhold the release of information designated as “directory information” by submitting to the VCU Office of Records and Registration, no later than 14 days after the beginning of a term, a written and signed request that “directory information” not be released.

Note: Students have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by VCU to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Limited work duty hours during the M3 and M4 years

Audio summary [00:56]


According to the School of Medicine Student Handbook, students must limit their work duty hours during the M3 and M4 years as follows:

  • Students will be on duty no more than an average of 80 hours per week.
  • Students will not spend more than 30 consecutive hours on duty.
  • Students will receive one day in seven free from all educational responsibilities.
  • Students will not be required to take overnight call two evenings prior to the end of clerkship subject exam.

Proper off-campus conduct

Audio summary [00:12]


According to Virginia Commonwealth University Rules and Procedures PDF, when determined to be detrimental to the interests of the university, certain off-campus conduct by students which results in a conviction of a criminal offense or an adjudication of civil liability by a court of law may subject the student to penalties by the university. Such offenses include:

  • Theft, destruction, defacing or damaging land, buildings, equipment or property of others
  • Possession, use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs or substances or the underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol
  • Assault and/or battery, sexual assault, threats, stalking or domestic violence or other offenses causing personal injury or death
  • Breach of the peace (e.g., disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, unlawful assembly, etc.)