NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Faculty Handbook

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New York Institute of Technology Profile

Since its founding in 1955, New York Institute of Technology has evolved from a small, technology-based institution into a thriving multi-disciplinary university offering baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degrees. From just nine students attending classes in one New York City building, New York Tech now enrolls more than 9,000 students representing nearly all 50 states and 100 countries at campuses around the world.

Mission (excerpts)

The mission of New York Institute of Technology is to provide career-oriented professional education, to give all qualified students access to opportunity, and to support research and scholarship that benefit the larger world.

Administrative Organization

The overall governing body of New York Institute of Technology is the Board of Trustees. The President, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the college reports to the Board of Trustees and carries out their adopted policies. Among the President's reports is the Vice President of Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, who oversees the faculty, curricula and academic programs of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Health Professions.

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NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Profile

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) is the Osteopathic Medical College of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). One of NYIT's six academic schools, it is governed by NYIT policies and procedures in addition to NYITCOM policies and procedures.

NYITCOM enrolled its first class of 36 students in September 1977. It has more than 7500 graduates and campuses in Old Westbury, New York and Jonesboro, Arkansas. NYITCOM has formed associations and affiliations with multiple hospitals in which our students take clinical clerkships in the various clinical disciplines. In addition, the college's well organized Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institute (OPTI)—NYCOMEC—includes over 20 affiliated hospitals, internships, and residencies accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The college has a diverse full- and part-time faculty involved in the teaching of our students' first two years on campus, as well as a large number of adjunct clinical faculty involved in teaching third and fourth year students at various affiliated hospitals, offices, and clinics. NYITCOM maintains ambulatory academic healthcare centers for the purpose of serving the community at their location, as well as to provide additional sites for clinical training and research.

Mission

The NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) is committed to training osteopathic physicians for a lifetime of learning and practice, based upon the integration of evidence-based knowledge, critical thinking, and the tenets of osteopathic principles and practice. The college is also committed to preparing osteopathic physicians for careers in primary care, including healthcare in the inner city and rural communities, as well as to the scholarly pursuit of new knowledge concerning health and disease. NYITCOM provides a continuum of educational experiences to its students, extending through the clinical and post-graduate years of training. This continuum provides the future osteopathic physician with the foundation necessary to maintain competence and compassion, as well as the ability to serve society through research, teaching and leadership.

Administrative Organization

The dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, who in turn reports to the President of New York Institute of Technology.

The Associate Deans of Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Administration report directly to the dean. Each of these associate deans is responsible for the various departments, offices and services that they administer. In addition, the academic department chairs for Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences, Family Medicine, Clinical Specialties, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine report directly to the dean. The Site Deans for the Arkansas and Long Island campuses, Senior Director for Finance, Associate Dean for Operations, and the Chief Medical Officer of the Health Centers all report to the vice president. The Vice Chairs of the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Clinical Medicine, and Basic Sciences on the Arkansas campus report directly to the site dean.

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Faculty: Appointment, Re-Appointment and Promotion Policies and Procedures

In accordance with NYIT personnel policies, all recommendations arising from the college are subject to approval by the Vice President of Health and Medical Affairs and the President with final approval by the NYIT Board of Trustees.

A. Types of Appointment/Categories of Faculty

The College maintains the following categories of faculty appointments:

1. Regular Full-time Faculty

Full-time faculty are appointed by written employment letters. Each appointment letter shall specify the term, compensation, academic rank (professional title – see Section C) and, when appropriate, administrative assignments (Course Director, Coordinator, DPC Director, DPC Academic Coordinator, etc.) within the college. Note: with regard to workload, such administrative assignments appointed by the dean or site dean shall be considered part of the faculty members overall effort. Effort allocation to teaching, research/scholarship, service and clinical practice are negotiated by the department chair or vice chair and the faculty member and must be approved by the dean or site dean and specified in the appointment letter.

Full-time faculty may hold any of the following professional/terminal degree(s): D.O., M.D., D.M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D., Pharm.D, D.P.M., O.D., D.V.M., or other equivalent terminal degree. Full-time faculty at the Instructor level may hold a terminal degree and/or hold a non-terminal degree plus have equivalent appropriate experience. Full-time faculty are employed with the understanding that NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine is their primary place of employment. Full-time faculty members are expected to fulfill their duties at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine sites, and/or at sites designated and approved by the College.

2. Regular Part-time Faculty

Part-time faculty are appointed by written employment letters. It is not required that NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine be the primary place of employment. Each appointment letter shall specify the term, compensation, academic rank (professional title), and work-effort distribution.

The part-time faculty of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine consists of persons appointed and holding one of the faculty ranks listed in Section C. The "clinical" modifier may be used to designate the rank of physicians who teach in a clinical discipline. All part-time faculty should hold a professional/terminal degree as listed in the previous section. Part-time faculty will have responsibilities that are less than those of full-time faculty with regard to scope of activities, and percentage of effort devoted to employment at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Such part-time faculty are expected to fulfill their duties at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and/or at sites designated and approved by the College.

3. Adjunct Faculty

There are two categories of Adjunct faculty: teaching and clinical preceptors.

Teaching adjunct faculty deliver identified lectures in the curriculum and are paid an hourly rate. These lecturers are identified based on their subject expertise and they may or may not hold Academic Rank. Such rank will be designated through a "letter of appointment" by the dean – following the recommendation of the relevant department chairperson and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Continued service for those faculty members who wish to hold an adjunct appointment and who deliver a specified number of lecture hours per year depends on involvement in faculty development, timeliness in meeting required curricular deadlines, dependability, student evaluations and coordinator evaluation of the quality of the delivered lecture(s).

Clinical Preceptor adjunct faculty provide supervision at the off-campus clinical and preceptor sites for students. Their services are provided in accordance with clinical affiliation agreements.

At the Long Island campus, initial appointments are made by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs based on the recommendation of the discipline chair.

At the Jonesboro, Arkansas campus recommendations for Adjunct Clinical Preceptor appointments go first to the vice chair of the appropriate department, then to the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, then to the site dean before getting final approval of the Dean of NYITCOM.

Subsequent re-appointments and/or promotions to the appropriate Academic Rank are based on the candidate's curriculum vita and credentials, including student evaluations, involvement in faculty development programs, consistency of teaching involvement, and evidence of scholarship/added qualifications (additional certifications, degrees, fellowships, etc.). Initial appointments are normally for a period of two (2) years, and thereafter reviewed for re-appointment at two-year intervals. Individuals in this category are referred to as "Adjunct Clinical" incorporating the appropriate academic rank, e.g., Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, etc.

Note: Clinical Preceptors in good standing (i.e. attend faculty development programs and maintain good/excellent student evaluations) may earn tuition remission credits based on assigned hours of clinical clerkship supervision that can be applied towards graduate course credits offered by NYIT/NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic physicians are also eligible to receive AOA CME credit.

4. Administrators with Faculty Rank and Status

Faculty with administrative appointments are administrators with obligation to the College to lead in establishing, implementing, and managing the teaching, research, and service (including clinical services, as appropriate) functions of the College. These individuals are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the dean or site dean. His/her work effort allocation to administrative duties is assigned by the dean. His/her performance in carrying out the assigned administrative duties is to be evaluated by his/her direct supervisor and the dean or site dean.

Department chairs will also hold faculty rank and status. Assistant and associate deans may hold faculty rank and status. The faculty rank and status of such administrators will also be specified in an appointment letter. In the case of administrators with faculty rank and status, initial faculty appointments with academic rank and consideration for re-appointment and/or promotion will be based on criteria described in Section D.

5. Faculty Associates

Appointment as a faculty associate is extended to full-time and part-time faculty only for their formal involvement in approved NYIT Centers. A faculty associate appointment is complementary to the faculty work effort, and is assigned based on designated responsibilities in the Centers for research/scholarly activities and/or teaching. Appointment requires the recommendation of the department chair or vice chair and approval by the dean or site dean. Rank of faculty associates are consistent with the earned academic rank (assistant, associate, full professor) in the college of their origin (NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine). Appointments are for three (3) year periods. Contributions/productivity in research/scholarship and/or teaching must be included in re-appointment and promotion considerations. Center Directors are required to provide annual appraisals/assessments of the contributions and productivity of faculty associates to the faculty member with copies to the department chair.

6. Visiting Faculty

Visiting faculty status, in conjunction with the academic ranks, is a time-limited, temporary appointment in an academic department. This status is reserved for faculty who may be on temporary leave from their current full-time appointment elsewhere (e.g., sabbatical leaves), and may be assigned to any faculty appointee holding any terminal degree(s), who has assigned responsibilities at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and/or at sites designated and approved by the College. Visiting faculty appointments must be requested by the department chairperson and approved by the dean.

B. Work Effort Expectation

The faculty member's work-effort assignment will be stipulated in the individual's initial appointment letter and in subsequent re-appointment letters. After initial appointment, in consultation with the faculty member (full or part-time), the recommendation of the department chair or vice chair, and the approval of the dean or site dean, the faculty member's effort distribution—the level of teaching, research/scholarship, and service (clinical and/or non-clinical) effort will be based on the needs of the department and college, the effort expectation of funded external grants and the individual's expertise. As described below, the work-effort distribution of respective faculty may emphasize one of the areas of teaching, research/scholarship, or clinical service. However, all full time faculty are expected, without exception, to have effort distribution in each of the three categories: teaching, research, and service (clinical or non-clinical). RPC deliberations will only consider faculty performance in these three categories for reappointment and/or promotion decision. Any change in effort assignment will normally occur at the time of re-appointment, and must take into account department and institutional needs and must be approved by the dean or site dean prior to implementation.

In the case of administrators, the work effort allocation to the administration domain will be determined by the faculty member and the dean. The remaining allocation will be determined by the faculty member and his/her chair. The dean must approve the work effort distribution for each faculty member prior to implementation.

C. Academic Rank

All regular faculty, full-time and part-time, are appointed to one of the following academic ranks within an academic department:

Dual appointments in more than one academic department are permissible and may be at different academic ranks. In such cases, one department will be designated as the faculty member's primary department, and academic rank in that department will take precedence in re-appointment and promotion considerations.

D. Procedure for Faculty Appointments, Re-appointments, and Promotion

Faculty appointments, re-appointments, and promotions are made according to the procedures set forth in this handbook. These procedures are designed to foster and sustain academic excellence.

Prior to appointment, a prospective faculty member must provide the department chair with the following documents:

  1. A copy of the diploma of his/her highest earned degree(s);
  2. For physicians, a copy of medical practice license, current registration, and documentation of board certification;
  3. A notarized statement permitting NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine to obtain copies of documents necessary to evaluate academic and professional credentials as requested; and,
  4. For appointments to the ranks of Professor and Associate Professor, three letters of recommendation with peer review from colleagues, at least two of whom are not members of the faculty at NYIT, whose rank is at the level, or higher than the level being sought;
  5. For clinical faculty with designated clinical practice responsibilities, a signed Clinical Faculty contract.

Regular full-time and part-time faculty are appointed by written employment letters. Each appointment letter shall specify the term, compensation, academic rank (professional title), and work effort allocation (for full-time faculty). For part-time faculty, their duties and responsibilities will be stipulated in the appointment letter.

For clinicians, current Board Certification and license to practice without restriction or state action in their state(s) of licensure and in their respective profession are necessary in order to be appointed or re-appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor or higher. It is anticipated that applicants for appointment from non-medical disciplines will hold the degree of Ph.D., Ed.D., D.P.H., or equivalent and/or compatible terminal degree, in the area for which they apply for appointment.

1. Procedures specific to regular (non-adjunct) faculty, part-time or full-time, are as follows:

Table 1: Summary of Timetable of Events for Consideration for Promotion

Key event and dates to note (all dates are on or about dates. Where the date mentioned falls on a weekend or university recognized holiday the due date will be on the next applicable business day):

December 10: The present document (summary timetable) will be distributed (by email) to all NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty, on or about December 10.

December 17: No later than December 17, the department chairperson or vice chair provides the Re-appointment and Promotion Committee (RPC) Chair with a list of faculty requesting consideration for promotion at the next meeting of the RPC.

January 8: No later than January 8, candidates for promotion submit the following to the Chair of the RPC:

  1. A current CV, which includes the information and is formatted according to the approved college-wide template (available in the Academic Affairs office).
  2. Copies of published articles or abstracts (5 maximum) that best exemplify the candidate's scholarly work.
  3. A list of 5 (or more) names and addresses of potential reviewers. Note: As detailed in the Faculty Handbook, applications for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor or higher, must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation from colleagues whose academic rank is at least as high as the rank being sought and, at least two of whom are not a member of the faculty at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine.

January 8 to January 15: The department chair sends a letter to potential reviewers, selected from the list above, soliciting a "letter of evaluation" for the candidate; the chair's solicitation will indicate that the reviewer's "letter of evaluation" will be considered "confidential in nature." The department chair's solicitation will be accompanied by:

  1. the candidate's CV, and
  2. a cover letter indicating the kind of information being requested.

At the discretion of the department chair, the solicitation may also be accompanied by copies of the candidate's published articles (or abstracts).

February 11: The reviewers will be asked to return their evaluations by February 11.

February 19: The department chair uploads onto Mahara the candidate's portfolio supporting the request for promotion and provides one (1) hardcopy of the complete candidate portfolio to the Office of Academic Affairs for their records. The portfolio must be uploaded by February 19.

February 22 to March 8: The RPC meets to consider the candidates request for promotion. The Chair of the RPC will provide the RPC members with copies of the candidate's portfolio no later than five days prior to the RPC meeting.

March 8 to March 15: The Chair of the RPC forwards the RPC's recommendation to the dean or site dean.

2. The procedures specific to adjunct faculty are as follows:

3. Letters of Recommendation

For appointment or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor or higher, the applicant must submit at least three letters of recommendation with peer review from colleagues, at least two of whom are not a member of the faculty at NYIT. These letters of recommendation must be from persons whose academic rank is at a level or higher than the level being sought.

4. Due Dates/Effective Dates

All requests for re-appointment and promotion must be received by the President of NYIT by April 1 annually. All approvals will take effect on the following September 1.

E. Term of Appointment

Terms for initial appointment will typically not exceed the following periods:

Exceptions can be made only upon special circumstances or exceptional individual faculty achievements at the discretion of the College. Re-appointments at the Associate Professor level may exceed three (3) years but must not exceed five (5) years, and at the Professor level may exceed five (5) years but must not exceed seven (7) years.

F. Time in Rank Requirement for Promotion

The following are the "time-in-rank" requirements for promotion:

G. Non-Renewal and Termination

Regular faculty whose performance is not satisfactory or whose services are no longer needed by the College may be terminated by non-renewal of his/her appointment term or, at the College's option, receive a 1-year terminal appointment at the expiration of their current appointment term. Upon the written request of the faculty member, the dean or site dean, a faculty member may be dismissed prior to the end of his/her appointment term for breach of the terms of the appointment letter or for cause, based on the recommendation of the dean or site dean and the Vice-President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, and approved by the President. "Cause" shall include, without limitation, substantially inadequate performance of duties, insubordination, material violation of NYIT or NYITCOM policy, or other conduct which falls below expected standards of professional integrity or harms the reputation of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine.

A faculty member who decides that he/she will not accept re-appointment is expected to notify the department chair, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Dean or Site Dean of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in writing not less than 90 days before the expiration of the term of his/her current appointment letter.

H. Criteria for Appointment / Promotion to Associate Professor or Professor

Academic Rank at initial appointment and subsequent consideration for promotion, will take into account the faculty member's level of accomplishment in each of the major domains of academic activity. In each domain – Teaching, Research/Scholarship, and Service – three levels of increasing accomplishment are delineated below. Clinicians practicing in the Academic Health Center will have an additional domain – Clinical Practice.

1. Teaching

Representative criteria demonstrating this level include the following:

  1. A leadership role in NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine's curriculum development, planning, and implementation and/or in developing, and conducting faculty development programs;
  2. Significant and sustained contributions to the medical education literature, such as peer-reviewed articles, authorship/editorship of significant books/mono-graphs, textbook chapters utilized in teaching or development of curricular and assessment materials.
  3. Excellent student teaching evaluations and exhibits effective teaching innovations as measured by learning outcomes.

2. Research and Scholarship

Representative criteria demonstrating this level may include the following:

  1. Receipt of substantial and ongoing, competitively awarded grant support from external funding agencies as PI or Co-PI;
  2. Frequency of publication citations;
  3. Invitations to deliver lectures, lead workshops, or chair symposia at national professional society meetings;
  4. Invitations to serve as peer reviewer of research articles and/or as grant reviewer for funding agency study panels;
  5. Authorship/editorship of significant books/monographs within discipline;
  6. Invitations to collaborate with recognized scholars at prestigious external institutions;
  7. Service as editor of scientific/scholarly journals, or as officer/board member in a professional society; and receipt of professional achievement awards by recognized scientific/professional societies.

3. Service

Service includes participation in the administration or governance of NYIT, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, home department, and/or NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine affiliated educational sites. For clinical faculty, service will also include providing healthcare. Faculty should demonstrate commitment to developing effectiveness in one or more service areas, while maintaining high levels of professionalism. Quality assurance and peer review of clinical care is an essential component in assessing clinical practice.

4. Clinical Practice

In the area of clinical practice, indices of quality care are commensurate with the level of expectation appropriate for each level.

Note: Clinical Practice activities may be sufficiently meritorious to also qualify as scholarly/research accomplishments.

I. Level of Accomplishment Required for Appointment/Re-appointment/Promotion to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor (Regular Faculty)

Note: Achievement of the level of accomplishment indicated in Table 2 does not in itself guarantee appointment to/promotion to the respective Academic Rank.

Table 2: Minimal requirements for consideration of Appointment, Re-appointment, or Promotion

Work-effort Distribution Rank R T S CP*
STANDARDAssistant ProfessorMMMM
Associate ProfessorExceeds > 1E
ProfessorExemplary > 1E
TEACHING EMPHASISAssistant ProfessorMMMM
Associate ProfessorMEME
ProfessorMEXME
RESEARCH EMPHASISAssistant ProfessorMMMM
Associate ProfessorEMME
ProfessorEXMME
CLINICAL PRACTICEAssistant ProfessorMMMM
Associate ProfessorExceeds > 1E
ProfessorExemplary > 1EX
ADMINISTRATORS with FACULTY RANK and STATUSAssistant ProfessorMMMM
Associate ProfessorExceeds > 1E
ProfessorExemplary > 1E

Legend
CP* = Clinical Practice
M = Meet Expectations
E = Exceeds Expectations
EX = Exemplary

J. Level of Accomplishment Required for Appointment/Promotion to Adjunct Associate Professor, or Adjunct Professor

Appointment and/or promotion for adjunct faculty will take into account the candidate's entire body of work at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and/or elsewhere (e.g., affiliated hospital). They are expected to meet the minimum level of accomplishment in each of the major domains of academic activity, as specified in ANY one of the work-effort distribution categories defined for contract faculty (see Table 2).

Note: Achievement of the level of accomplishment indicated in Table 2 does not in itself guarantee appointment to/promotion to the respective Academic Rank.

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Academic Affairs

A. Academic Integrity/Honesty

The foundation of academic work is intellectual integrity, credibility, and trust. A learning community can only be maintained if its members believe that their work is judged fairly and that they will not be put at a disadvantage because of another member's dishonesty. For these reasons, it is essential that all members of the NYITCOM community understand our shared standards of academic honesty. Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly work in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at NYITCOM, and all members of the College community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception in the completion of academic work. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental and ethical principles of the NYITCOM community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

B. Academic Integrity/Honesty – Faculty

Faculty are expected to manifest academic honesty in all of their endeavors. NYIT's policy may be found in the NYIT Faculty Handbook: U.S. Campuses.

Therapeutic Relationship and Grading

Any health professional providing health services via a therapeutic relationship, must recuse him/herself from the academic assessment or promotion of the student receiving those services.

Any student who is being assessed by a clinical faculty member who is also their healthcare provider, and the faculty has not already recused themselves, will be granted an alternative pathway for completing the assessment where no conflict of interest exists, by making a formal request to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Any clinical faculty who is a member of the Student Progress Committee, Behavioral Intervention Team, and/or Student Discipline Review Committee, and the healthcare provider to a student the committee is assessing must recuse themselves from all deliberations related to that student.

C. Academic Honesty – Students

Faculty should encourage their students to manifest academic honesty in their curricular endeavors. Students may be disciplined for academic dishonesty.

Any student who witnesses other students behaving dishonestly is obligated to report such conduct to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Failure to do so constitutes dishonest behavior on that student's part.

A faculty member who believes that a student has committed one of these forms of academic dishonesty should make a detailed written report to the Office of Student Affairs, where disciplinary proceedings will be initiated.

D. Pre-Clinical Education Course Syllabi

Each course must have a syllabus, which serves as the principal document by which the faculty members communicate to the student the objectives of the course. The course syllabus essentially represents a contract between the faculty and the students.

Each course syllabus should contain the following information:

  1. Course Name, Number and Credit Hours
  2. Course Description
  3. Personnel (names, titles, contact information, office hours, as relevant) directly involved with the course, as follows:
    • Course Director(s), Thread Coordinators (for lecture-discussion based course syllabi)
    • Administrators
    • Faculty
    • Post-Graduate residents (as applicable)
    • Academic Medical Fellows
    • Staff
  4. Learning Activities
  5. Course Resources
  6. College Policies (The lecture-discussion based syllabus for the first course of the academic year should provide the policies in full-text, subsequent syllabi for each academic year to refer to the publications and electronic sources where the specific policy can be found):
    • Video Streaming Policy
    • Attendance Policy
    • Dress Code Policy
    • Academic Integrity Policy
    • Academic Honesty for Examination Policy
    • Make-Up Examination Policy
    • Grading System
    • Remediation
  7. Course-Specific Policies
    • Attendance Policy
    • Grading and Evaluation Policy
  8. Course Schedule
  9. Learning Objectives

After being annually updated by relevant faculty, course directors, thread coordinators, and administrators, syllabi are provided to the members of the Curriculum Committee's Sub-Committee on Curriculum Development and Assessment, for their review and feedback. Upon integrating relevant feedback into each syllabus, each syllabus is posted electronically on the academic website (Moodle) prior to the onset of the respective course such that students, faculty, staff, and administrators can view it.

E. Lecture-Discussion Based Course Notes and/or Lecture Presentations

Faculty members should submit electronic versions of lecture-discussion based course notes and/or lecture presentation materials at least two weeks prior to the corresponding lecture(s) to the appropriate thread coordinator and to the Office of Pre-Clinical Education. Course notes and lecture presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoint presentations) are posted electronically on the academic website (Moodle) and provided to students in hard copy. The Academic Technologies Group is available to assist faculty with technological issues pertaining to course notes and lecture presentations.

F. Curriculum Additions or Changes

NYITCOM has a Curriculum Committee that reviews requests for curriculum additions and changes. A request for new initiative, pilot program or substantive change must be reviewed and approved by the department involved then referred to the Curriculum Committee for review and action at its next meeting. If approved by the Curriculum Committee the recommendation is referred to the dean for final review and implementation.

G. Video Streaming of Lectures

NYITCOM's Academic Technology Group (ATG) maintains an innovative streaming video site that archives all lectures at NYITCOM and makes it available as a review tool. The Academic Technology Group posts these streams on Akila, a Moodle based academic website, in a manner consistent with NYITCOM's video streaming policy (see "Policies and Corresponding Forms" subsection of the Moodle website). The website is password protected. Please keep in mind that every lecturer who lectures at NYITCOM will be video recorded for this purpose.

H. Grades – General Information

Please see NYITCOM Student Handbook for information regarding grades.

I. Remediation Policy

Please see NYITCOM Student Handbook for information regarding the remediation policy.

J. Pre-Clinical Education Make-Up Policy

Please see the make-up exam policy in the NYITCOM Student Handbook.

K. Academic Warning and Dismissal

Please see the unsatisfactory academic performance section in the NYITCOM Student Handbook.

L. Student Petition for Reinstatement

Please see the student petition for reinstatement after academic suspension in the NYITCOM Student Handbook.

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Research

NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine's Divisions of Research coordinates the research activities for the NYITCOM community. There is a Division of Research at NYITCOM's Long Island campus and an Office of Research at the Jonesboro campus. The Division/Office of Research is responsible for coordination of the submission of grant applications and contracts from NYITCOM faculty, students, and staff, dispersal of allocated internal funds to NYITCOM faculty in support of pilot research projects, operation of programs to engage medical students in research activities, and maintenance of a state-certified animal facility for small rodents and fish.

To enhance the ability of NYITCOM faculty to obtain external funding, the Division/Office of Research conducts and sponsors grant writing seminars and workshops. In support of the NYITCOM research enterprise, the Associate Dean of Research makes recommendations to the Dean of NYITCOM on a variety of topics including allocation of lab space, development of focus areas for research, acquisition of core research equipment, and recruitment of research faculty. The Division/Office of Research works closely with the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Utilization Committee (IACUC), The Educational Research Data Committee (ERDC) and the Radiation Safety Committee to ensure compliance of all NYITCOM research activities with state and federal regulations.

In addition, the Division/Office of Research serves as a liaison to external agencies such as the American Osteopathic Association, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and state and local agencies. Research opportunities are further enhanced by interactions with the member institutions of the NYITCOM postgraduate Educational Consortium (NYCOMEC).

A. Grant Proposal and Research Contract Requirements

NYITCOM, and the parent institution, NYIT, strongly encourage acquisition of external funding sources for research activities being conducted at NYITCOM. Prior to submission of applications to external agencies for research grants and contracts, applicants must ensure compliance with the following requirements. First, all planned research with human or non-human subjects must have been approved by the appropriate institutional oversight committee (IRB – human subjects; IACUC – animals; ERDC – educational research; see section next page on Research with Human or Non-human Subjects). Second, the planned budget must conform to all NYITCOM/NYIT policies, including salary and fringe benefit guidelines and administrative cost charges. Third, all NYITCOM/NYIT resources necessary to conduct the project, including any matching funds, must be clearly identified. A written statement from the appropriate administrator must be obtained stating explicitly that these resources will be available for the project. Fourth, any hazardous conditions that might be caused by the project must be identified along with written statements from appropriate administrators regarding the management of those hazardous conditions. Finally, written approval for all research grant proposal and research contracts must be obtained from the appropriate department chair or vice chair, the Associate Dean of Research of the Assistant Dean of Research and Publications, the NYITCOM Dean or site dean, and the NYIT Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs, as well as the Director of Grants and Funded Research, prior to submission.

B. Research with Human or Non-human Subjects

In order to conduct any research with either human or non-human subjects, including survey and interview research, faculty must first have their research plan approved by the appropriate institutional oversight committee (IRB – human subjects; IACUC – animals). In addition, all individuals involved in human subject research (faculty, staff and, students) must receive training in basic human subject protection prior to beginning work on a project involving human subjects. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides a free online training program that meets the required criteria.

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Libraries

Refer to the NYITCOM Student Handbook for medical library information.

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Student Administration/Student Handbook

One of the most satisfying and fulfilling aspects of an academic appointment is the interaction of dedicated faculty and bright, motivated students. To ensure an effective relationship it is crucial that faculty understand the rules and regulation, requirements, rights and privileges pertaining to NYITCOM students as specified in the NYITCOM Student Handbook. Faculty are expected to read the handbook, which is available online.

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Operations

A. Employee Benefits

NYITCOM Faculty enjoy a generous benefits package awarded to all employees of NYIT. The list of benefits and a description of them is available in the NYIT Employee Handbook.

B. Emergency School Closings

On rare occasions, New York Institute of Technology may be forced to close due to inclement weather or other emergency situations. The college President or a designee of the President will make the decision to close. When NYIT is closed, NYITCOM is closed.

C. Business Cards

To receive a business card, the faculty member must fill out a this form. See Creative Services for more information.

D. Identification Cards

Each employee is required to obtain an identification card with a photograph. Cards are to be carried at all times while on college premises and are to be displayed upon request. This card may also be required to enter certain buildings on campus.

Employees on the Arkansas State Campus should visit the ASU Campus Card Center in Room 2205 of the Reng Student Services Center for more information.

E. Employment Records

Information on NYIT employment records policies may be found in the Faculty Handbook: U.S. Campuses.

F. Records Retention (Student and Personnel)

G. Outside Services/Credit Union

The Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union is available to all full-time employees. The services include savings accounts and loans through payroll deductions. The Credit Union is located in various locations, but there is a branch on the C.W. Post campus. For further information or forms, call 516.561.0030 or contact NYIT Human Resources.

H. Jury Duty

NYIT's policy regarding jury duty service may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

I. Military Service

Policies regarding military service may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

J. Paychecks

Information on paychecks can be found in the Faculty Handbook: U.S. Campuses.

K. Resignation

A faculty member may terminate his/her appointment or reappointment effective the end of the academic year, provided that he/she gives notice in writing at the earliest possible opportunity, but not later than May 15th or thirty (30) days after receiving notification of the terms of his/her re-appointment for the coming academic year, whichever occurs later. A request may be made to waive this notice in case of hardship or in a situation where the faculty member would otherwise be denied substantial professional advancement or other opportunity.

Before authorization is given for final salary payment, department and/or college, all school duties must be completed. In addition, grades must be filed; equipment, supplies, library books, keys and ID card returned; and any outstanding bills and fines paid.

L. Retirement/Retirement Plan

NYIT's retirement benefits are listed in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

M. Vacation

All full-time faculty employees will receive vacation time off with pay. Vacation benefits may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

N. Sick and Bereavement Leave

Information on sick and bereavement leave may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

O. Security

All campuses have Safety/Security offices responsible for safeguarding the well-being and property of all members of the college community:

Long Island – Simonson House 516.686.7789
New York City – Allied Security 212.481.5777
Jonesboro – Arkansas State University Police Department 870.972.2093

P. Transportation/Parking

New York City and Long Island campuses are served by public transportation. The Long Island campus provides facilities for parking for the sole purpose of conducting college business. All motor vehicles used by employees on campus must be registered with the Safety/Security office of their home campus, and each vehicle must display a valid NYIT parking sticker in the appropriate location. This registration entitles the person to park in designated parking areas. A faculty member who parks illegally will receive a summons which is payable within a ten-day period at the controller's office.

All individuals must obey the Safety and Security regulations related to cars, parking, and traffic. The Security office provides these regulations to all faculty, staff, and students when they register their vehicles. Safety and Security personnel are available to answer questions pertaining to these regulations and for particular problems (disabled cars, borrowed cars, temporary parking permits, special loading problems, etc.).

All parking areas marked "Handicapped Parking Only" are restricted to people who have valid handicapped parking permits. Anyone parking in these areas without authorization will receive a summons. These parking spaces are also regulated by civil law, and illegally parked cars may receive summonses from local or state police.

Other parking areas marked "Authorized Parking Only" are restricted to people who have special permission to park in them. Anyone parking in these areas without authorization will receive a summons. Parking areas marked "Visitor's Parking" are not available to faculty, staff, or students.

For students, faculty and staff at the NYITCOM campus at Arkansas State University, all campus parking is handled through Arkansas State University Parking Services. All students, faculty and staff are required to purchase a parking permit annually. For additional information please contact 870.972.2945.

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College Policy

A. Academic Freedom

All faculty at NYITCOM/NYIT work within the context of the institution's commitment of the principles of academic freedom:

The faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his/her subject, but should be careful not to introduce into the teaching controversial matters that have no relation to the subject being taught.

The college or university instructor is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When he/she speaks or writes as a citizen, he/she should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but his/her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, he/she should be mindful that the public may judge the profession and the institution by these utterances. Hence, he/she should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that he/she is not an institutional spokesperson.

The instructor is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of results, subject to the adequate performance of other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the Vice President of Health and Medical Affairs.

B. Code of Ethics

Every faculty member has an obligation to be loyal to NYIT and to carry out his or her employment duties with reasonable care so that the educational purposes of NYIT and its mission as a college are effectively promoted as well as the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association.

NYIT is committed to accomplishing its objectives in compliance with all laws and regulations. Faculty are required to comply with all administrative policies and with procedures that are based on these legal constraints. All faculty members must be familiar with the NYIT Code of Conduct.

In addition, NYITCOM has adopted the following code for professional conduct.

NYITCOM Code of Professional Conduct

Preamble

NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty, committed to providing a welcoming environment conducive to optimal education, clinical care, research, and maintenance of the highest levels of professional and ethical standards within a collegial environment, in addition to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Code of Ethics, we the faculty hereby adopt this Code of Professional Conduct. Faculty at NYITCOM are expected to:

Professionalism and Honesty

Respect and Compassion

Responsibility

Education

Affirmation

I affirm my commitment to upholding all aspects of professionalism contained in this statement and the AOA Code of Ethics (below) during my tenure as a member of the faculty.

Faculty members who have questions about ethical responsibilities and requirements may confer with NYIT's general counsel or with the Vice President for Health and Medical Affairs.

Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association has formulated this Code to guide its member physicians in their professional lives. The standards presented are designed to address the osteopathic physician's ethical and professional responsibilities to patients, to society, to the AOA, to others involved in healthcare and to self.

Further, the American Osteopathic Association has adopted the position that physicians should play a major role in the development and instruction of medical ethics.

Section 1. The physician shall keep in confidence whatever she/he may learn about a patient in the discharge of professional duties. Information shall be divulged by the physician when required by law or when authorized by the patient.

Section 2. The physician shall give a candid account of the patient's condition to the patient or to those responsible for the patient's care.

Section 3. A physician-patient relationship must be founded on mutual trust, cooperation, and respect. The patient, therefore, must have complete freedom to choose her/his physician. The physician must have complete freedom to choose patients whom she/he will serve. However, the physician should not refuse to accept patients for reasons of discrimination, including, but not limited to, the patient's race, creed, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. In emergencies, a physician should make her/his services available. View further interpretation.

Section 4. A physician is never justified in abandoning a patient. The physician shall give due notice to a patient or to those responsible for the patient's care when she/he withdraws from the case so that another physician may be engaged.

Section 5. A physician should make a reasonable effort to partner with patients to promote their health and shall practice in accordance with the body of systematized and scientific knowledge related to the healing arts. A physician shall maintain competence in such systematized and scientific knowledge through study and clinical applications.

Section 6. The osteopathic medical profession has an obligation to society to maintain its high standards and, therefore, to continuously regulate itself. A substantial part of such regulation is due to the efforts and influence of the recognized local, state and national associations representing the osteopathic medical profession. A physician should maintain membership in and actively support such associations and abide by their rules and regulations.

Section 7. Under the law a physician may advertise, but no physician shall advertise or solicit patients directly or indirectly through the use of matters or activities which are false or misleading. View further interpretation.

Section 8. A physician shall not hold forth or indicate possession of any degree recognized as the basis for licensure to practice the healing arts unless she/he is actually licensed on the basis of that degree in the state or other jurisdiction in which she/he practices. A physician shall designate her/his osteopathic or allopathic credentials in all professional uses of her/his name. Indications of specialty practice, membership in professional societies, and related matters shall be governed by rules promulgated by the American Osteopathic Association. View further interpretation.

Section 9. A physician should not hesitate to seek consultation whenever she/he believes it is in the best interest of the patient.

Section 10. In any dispute between or among physicians involving ethical or organizational matters, the matter in controversy should first be referred to the appropriate arbitrating bodies of the profession.

Section 11. In any dispute between or among physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of a patient, the attending physician has the responsibility for final decisions, consistent with any applicable hospital rules or regulations.

Section 12. Any fee charged by a physician shall compensate the physician for services actually rendered. There shall be no division of professional fees for referrals of patients.

Section 13. A physician shall respect the law. When necessary a physician shall attempt to help to formulate the law by all proper means in order to improve patient care and public health.

Section 14. In addition to adhering to the foregoing ethical standards, a physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in community activities and services.

Section 15. It is considered sexual misconduct for a physician to have sexual contact with any patient with whom a physician-patient relationship currently exists.

Section 16. Sexual harassment by a physician is considered unethical. Sexual harassment is defined as physical or verbal intimation of a sexual nature involving a colleague or subordinate in the workplace or academic setting, when such conduct creates an unreasonable, intimidating, hostile or offensive workplace or academic setting.

Section 17. From time to time, industry may provide some AOA members with gifts as an inducement to use their products or services. Members who use these products and services as a result of these gifts, rather than simply for the betterment of their patients and the improvement of the care rendered in their practices, shall be considered to have acted in an unethical manner. View further interpretation.

Section 18. A physician shall not intentionally misrepresent himself/herself or his/her research work in any way.

Section 19. When participating in research, a physician shall follow the current laws, regulations and standards of the United States or, if the research is conducted outside the United States, the laws, regulations and standards applicable to research in the nation where the research is conducted. This standard shall apply for physician involvement in research at any level and degree of responsibility, including, but not limited to, research, design, funding, participation either as examining and/or treating provider, supervision of other staff in their research, analysis of data and publication of results in any form for any purpose.

This code of ethics may be found at the American Osteopathic Association.

D. Intellectual Property, Copyrights and Patents

NYIT's rules and policies on Intellectual Property, Public Presentations, Copyrights and Patents may be found in the Faculty Handbook: U.S. Campuses.

NYIT's general counsel is available to advise on intellectual property policies and procedures.

E. Confidentiality

NYIT's rules on confidentiality may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

F. Conflict of Interest

NYIT's rules and policies on conflict of interest may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

G. Drug and Alcohol Policy

NYIT's drug and alcohol policy may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

H. Equal Employment Opportunity

NYIT's statement on equal employment opportunity may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

I. No Smoking Policy

NYIT is a smoke free workplace. For more information see the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

J. Relationships with Other Employees and Students

NYIT's policy may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

K. Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

NYIT's policy may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

L. Telecommunication and Information Technology

NYIT's policy may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

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O. Security

All campuses have Safety/Security offices responsible for safeguarding the well-being and property of all members of the college community:

Long Island – Simonson House 516.686.7789
New York City – Allied Security 212.481.5777
Jonesboro – Arkansas State University Police Department 870.972.2093

For additional information on campus safety please see the NYIT Campus Safety page.

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J. Sexual Harassment

NYIT's policy may be found in the Employee Handbook: United States Based Employees.

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Directory Information: Administrative and Unit Listings

DEAN OF NYITCOM 

Nicole Wadsworth, D.O.
Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rockefeller Building, Room 107
516.686.3928
nicole.wadsworth@nyit.edu

SITE DEAN, NYITCOM AT JONESBORO

Shane Speights, D.O.
Wilson Hall, Room 215
Dean, NYITCOM at Jonesboro
870.680.8196
sspeights@nyit.edu

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST, NYIT

Jerry Balentine, D.O.
Rockefeller Building, Room 314A
516.686.3999
jerry.balentine@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT ADMINISTRATION

Kristin Cohen, Ph.D.
Serota, Room 213
516.686.3975
kristin.cohen@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, LONG ISLAND

William Blazey, D.O.
Serota, Room 228
516.686.1276
wblazey@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, JONESBORO

Amanda Deel, D.O.
Wilson Hall, Room 220L
870.680.8195
adeel@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, RESEARCH

Kurt Amsler, Ph.D.
Rockefeller, Room 314F
516.686.3716
kamsler@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT AFFAIRS

Donna-Marie McMahon, D.O.
Rockefeller, Room 201D
516.686.1457
dmcmah02@nyit.edu

ASSOCIATE DEAN, OPERATIONS

Raquel Malina Romanick, J.D.
Rockefeller, Room 106
516.686.3961
rromanic@nyit.edu

VICE PRESIDENT, EQUITY & INCLUSION, & CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Brian Harper, M.P.H, MD
Riland, Room 33
516.686.4018
bharper@nyit.edu

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FINANCE

Shelley Cohen, MBA
Rockefeller, Room 104
516.686.1449
scohen08@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Tracy Owens, Ed.D.
Wilson Hall, 220L
870.680.8818
tracy.owens@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLINICAL OPERATIONS 

Hallie Zwibel, D.O., MPH
Student Activities Center, Room 317
516.686.3771
hzwibel@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLINICAL EDUCATION

Nelson Eng, D.O.
Serota, Room 238
516.686.3968
neng01@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, EDUCATIONAL OPERATIONS

Claire Bryant, Ph.D.
Serota, Room 233
516.686.3993
cbryan02@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, STUDENT SERVICES

Felicia Bruno, M.A.
Serota, Room 223
516.680.1329
fbruno@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, STUDENT SERVICES, JONESBORO

Derrick Dixon
Wilson Hall, Room 204A
870.680.8805
derrick.dixon@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, RESEARCH

Bhuma Krishnamachari, Ph.D.
Rockefeller, Room 314I
516.686.7564
bkrishna@nyit.edu

ASSISTANT DEAN, RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS, JONESBORO

Rajendram Rajnarayanan, M.Sc., Ph.D
Wilson Hall, Room 425
870.680.8884
rrajnara@nyit.edu

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE

Nancy Bono, D.O.
Serota, Room 116
516.686.3710
nancy.bono@nyit.edu

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL SPECIALTIES

Thomas Chan, D.O.
Serota, Room 122
516.686.3762
tchan02@nyit.edu

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE MEDICINE

Sheldon Yao, D.O.
Serota, Room 128
516.686.3754
sheldon.yao@nyit.edu

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY

Jonathan Geisler, Ph.D.
Riland, Room 324
516.686.7552
jgeisler@nyit.edu

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Martin Gerdes, Ph.D.
Rockefeller, Room 212
516.686.4039
martin.gerdes@nyit.edu

CHAIR, BIOMEDICAL AND ANATOMICAL SCIENCES, JONESBORO

Dosha Cummins, Ph.D.
Wilson Hall, Room 144A
870.680.8809
dcummins@nyit.edu

CHAIR, OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE MEDICINE, JONESBORO


CHAIR, CLINICAL MEDICINE JONESBORO

Brookshield Laurent, D.O.
Wilson Hall, Room 424A
870.680.8826
blaurent@nyit.edu