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University Policies

UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

Registration and Orientation

Registration must be completed by mail before classes start each semester. Students may not register unless all documents required for matriculation have been received by South American International University (see the application checklist). New students enrolled in the Basic Science Segment must confirm their registration in person before classes begin.

Unregistered students will not be admitted to classes.  Continuing students must register in person at the beginning of each semester on campus. Students in the Clinical Science Segment register through the Office of the Dean of Clinical Medicine.

Promotions Committee

All academic matters, including grades, grading policies, and probationary standing while students are enrolled in the Basic Science Segment are within the purview of the SAISOM's Promotions Committee.  This committee submits its recommendations to the Dean of Basic Sciences. The Dean will consult with the committee and render a final decision.

Professional Conduct, Ethics

South American International University expects its students to adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior in every aspect of their lives, as they are expected to do as medical professionals.  Medical students must demonstrate professional behavior that would be expected of a physician.

Students must conduct all aspects of their lives with honesty, integrity, and respect for others. Cheating, whether on examinations or with laboratory data, is un-acceptable. Stealing and plagiarism whether from the school or from fellow students are not tolerated. Both cheating and stealing can lead to expulsion from the University.

Honor Code

The Student Government Association of the Faculty of Medicine oversees an Honor Code, whose jurisdiction extends to all students. This Code is based on principles of medical ethics and the Hippocratic Oath. The purpose of the Code is to foster habits of honesty and morality, which graduates will then carry with them into their professional lives. All incoming students will sign the Honor Code as a requirement for matriculation. The Honor Code is printed in the Student Handbook.

Grievances

Any grievances that a student may have should be taken up first with the student’s instructor. If unresolved at that level, the student should present his or her grievance to the appropriate Dean. If the student is not satisfied with the Dean’s decision, he or she may present the grievance to the University Grievance Committee.  The Grievance Committee is the investigative and judicial arm of the University. The Grievance Committee has authority over all matters referred by the Deans, Student Government Association, or any individual student or faculty member, involving, but not limited to, violations of the professional conduct standards.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment undermines the character and purpose of the University. Sexual harassment is subject to disciplinary action with the University community. Charges of sexual harassment can be filed by following the University's established grievance procedures for students, faculty, and staff.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on Academic Probation if they fail to maintain the academic requirements of University. This applies to students who fail any course and are permitted by the Promotions Committee to repeat it. This will also apply to students who fail to maintain a grade point average of 2.0.

At South American International University the curriculum is designed to be a series of integrated, consecutively scheduled learning experiences.  Any interruptions of the educational program are academically undesirable.

Dismissal

A student may be involuntarily dismissed from the University for the following reasons:

  • Failure to maintain academic achievement as determined by the Promotions Committee
  • Cheating, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty
  • Violation of the laws of the host country
  • Development of emotional or mental instability that diminishes the student’s capacity to achieve academically or that poses a risk to the student or others.

Degree Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive the degree Doctor of Medicine from South American International University School of Medicine, a student must have met the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of all courses in the Basic Science Curriculum.
  • Successful completion of all courses and clerkships in the Clinical Medicine Curriculum. The core and elective clerkships as specified by the Dean of Clinical Medicine, taken in approved hospitals.
  • Passing Steps I and II of the USMLE, or an equivalent exam that is acceptable to SAISOM
  • Payment of all tuition, fees and charges owed to the University.

Transcript Requests

Official transcripts are available only from the Registrar. Students may obtain a transcript request form from the Registrar. Transcripts are not released until all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Graduation & Award Ceremonies

Graduation & award ceremonies will be held annually. Diplomas will not be released unless all outstanding balances, administrative documents, clinical evaluations, and scores from Steps I and II of the USMLE, have been received.

Evaluation and Grades

Courses in the Pre-Medical and Basic Science Programs are graded:

W (Withdrawn) - This indicates the student has withdrawn without academic penalty prior to the first examination (5 weeks).

WF - This indicates the student has withdrawn from the course after failing the first examination.

All students should strive to maintain a "B" average which is considered the benchmark for passing the USMLE PART 1. During the Clinical Medicine Segment students will be evaluated both on their fund of knowledge and ability to apply it to clinical problems, as well as on those characteristics considered desirable in a good physician.

These characteristics include problem-solving ability; industry; reliability; judgment; interpersonal relations with peers, patients, and staff; professional skills (history taking and patient examination); and motivation. At the conclusion of each core-clerkship, a final exam is given; it is administered at the hospital training site. Grades are awarded on the same basis as the Basic Science scores.

Examinations

The function of examinations is to monitor the progress of students and to evaluate the quality of instruction. Examinations are an essential part of the learning process at South American International University and are administered on the 5 th , 10 th , and 15 th Mondays of the semester. Examinations are comprehensive exams on the subject and cumulative, covering the first five weeks, the first ten weeks, and the entire course (the third and final examination).

Computerized examinations will be employed to simulate the USMLE Steps 1 & 2. It is the university's goal that through these examination procedures, the students will be better prepared to sit for the USMLE. Additional regulations can be found in the Student Handbook. As soon as students receive their USMLE Step I grades, they must forward them to

Office of the Registrar South American International University Neptunusweg 16 Willemstad, Curacao Dutch Caribbean.

The Office of the Registrar subsequently clears the student to the Clinical Department which allows the students to begin the placement process for more general information on the USMLE and other helpful topics www.ecfmg.org .

Monitoring of student progress

At appropriate points in the educational process, the faculty reviews the progress of each student in order to identify any academic difficulties that may exist or are developing to be in good standing, students in the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine Segments must comply with all academic rules and regulations, and remain current in financial obligations.

Students are required to pass the USMLE Part I before progressing to clinical enrollment. Successful completion of USLME Part II examinations is mandatory in order to be eligible to receive the M.D. degree from South American International University School of Medicine.

Class Attendance

Class attendance is mandatory at SAIU. Students are encouraged to attend all didactic lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, and any special events such as lectures by invited guests and conferences. Daily attendance is also mandatory in all clinical clerkships. The attendance policy of SAIU Student Handbook states that 80% attendance at lectures, labs, and tutorials is a requirement to sit for the final examination in that subject.

Emergency Absences

Emergency absences are granted only under extraordinary and well-documented circumstances. With the approval of the Dean of Basic Sciences, a student may be granted a brief emergency absence. Emergency absences are defined as, but not limited to, death of an immediate family member, medical emergency within the immediate family, or other such family emergencies.

Unauthorized Leaves

With the exception of approved emergency absences as outlined above, unauthorized leaves render the student liable for suspension and/or dismissal from the University.

Withdrawals

Students who have been withdrawn (either by student or by an administrative decision) must apply for re-admission if they wish to return to the school.  Re-admission is subject to all academic policies, tuition and fees in effect at that moment. Students may not withdraw from a particular course during a semester. They must withdraw from the school.

Vacations

Student vacation time goes from the last day of one semester until the orientation day of the next semester. Furthermore, there are 10 official holidays during which South American International University will be closed. Students requiring a longer break between semesters than those scheduled must request an Academic Leave of Absence in writing, presented to the Dean at least 2 weeks prior to the end of the semester. Failure to do so will constitute an unauthorized leave of absence.

Application Process

Students who have applied for admission to South American International University and are interested in obtaining financial aid are encouraged to contact our Financial Aid office for counseling and assistance with the loan and/or scholarship application process.

Counseling Services

Adjustment to University life in a new country can present an enormous challenge to some students. Even if a student is more at home with the new setting, transition to the University lifestyle involves many changes. The Student Counseling Services provides free-of-charge services and programs to assist and meet the needs of the students. These services are provided to students of the South American International University by qualified, experienced counseling personnel with backgrounds in psychology, counseling or psychiatry.

Counselors work under professional codes of confidentiality.

Some of the most critical stress factors for students can be:

  • Moving to a new environment away from home
  • Adjustment to University life
  • The pressure of studies in a new environment.
  • Attempting to concentrate on studies when there is bad news from home.
  • A period of considerable uncertainty as USMLE I and clinical placements loom, followed by transition from basic sciences to clerkships.
  • Clerkships, adjustment to hospital life, and the new environment.

South American International University is aware of these particular stressful transitions; counseling is provided free-of-charge to users. There is no limit on usage of service and any student who feels the need for assistance is encouraged to make contact with the counseling professionals. Seeking help is seen as a sign of good mental health. For more information contact the office of the Dean.

Career Guidance Services

The Career Guidance Office helps student’s secure postgraduate positions. Their experience helps you professionally present yourself and follow the best schedule to navigate the residency application process smoothly. The members of the Office of Career Guidance encourage all students and graduates to make good use of theses services. All conversations and communications are considered personal and confidential.

The Office of Career Guidance is staffed by faculty and alumni of the Faculty of Medicine. The Office advises students on USMLE preparation, counsels students in specialty and residency selection, interview skills, CV preparation and the residency application process in the U.S., the U.K. and non-US programs.

The OCG also acts as a liaison with the ECFMG. There are many benefits of taking advantage of this valuable resource. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates is diligent in its efforts to provide information to international medical graduates. As a result of these efforts The ECFMG Reporter, an electronic newsletter, is published to keep international medical graduates informed of current topics and issues.

Trustees & Officers

The Board of Trustees has been entrusted with the responsibility to make sure that the rules and regulations of the University are applied with the highest level of integrity, and that the institution achieves its academic goals. The Trustees exercise supervision over the appointment of qualified faculty and make recommendations to look after the best interest of the student body. Visit our web site (www.saiuniv.org/chairman) for a listing of current trustees.

The Officers are the legal representatives of the University. The Officers and Directors form the senior management of the institution.

Immigration Requirements

Landing Permits

Each person entering the Curacao to live or to work is required to have a landing-permit. This permit is issued by the Immigration Department that falls under the Ministry of Justice. Tourists visiting the island for a short period of time are exempt from this procedure. (Tourists from some countries are obliged to request a visa prior to entering Curacao).

Residence Permits & Local Identification Cards

Foreigners who intend to live and/or work in Curaçao need a residence permit in order to legally establish themselves on the island. There are certain required documents, please see the check list.

To allow for sufficient processing time all required documents must be submitted to the University at least 8 weeks prior to arrival on the island. Failure to secure theses documents may result in you being deported from the island. The University will submit all residence permit requests on behalf of its students, faculty and staff.

Once a residence permit has been issued, the individual will be registered as a temporary resident of the Curacao and will be issued a Curacaoan identification card. This card should be carried with you at all times.

Work Permits

Foreigners who intend to work on Curaçao must have a valid work permit. Students are strictly forbidden to work on Curaçao while engaged in their medical studies. Faculty and other staff will be required to obtain the necessary work permits. There are certain required documents, please review the list below. Please allow for sufficient time for processing. The University will submit all work permit requests on behalf of faculty and staff.

Re-entry Permit

Students, faculty and staff who are in possession of a temporary residence permit must obtain a valid re-entry permit upon leaving the Netherlands Antilles. This permit allows for re-entering Curacao and must be given to the immigration officer upon returning to Curacao.

The University will submit all re-entry permit requests on behalf of the students, faculty and staff. Please bear in mind that these requests must be submitted at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the anticipated travel dates, in order to allow for ample processing time by the immigration authorities.

Required documents for obtaining a re-entry permit are:

  • 1 passport size photograph
  • 1 Nafl.10,00 stamp (approximately US$ 5.50)
  • A letter from South American International University mentioning names, date of birth and intended departure and return dates.

Model 1 Form

This form must be completed and submitted with all supporting documents in order to be processed. The immigration authorities have sole jurisdiction as to the issuing of the above- mentioned permits.

Immigration Checklist

Checklist

The following documents are required by the government of Curaçao and are essential in order to obtain a residence permit.

  • Valid passport (Copy to be sent to the University)
  • Original health certificate no older than 6 months
  • Birth certificate
  • Four color 2x2 passport-size photographs, signed on the back
  • Letter of good conduct from the student's local police department
  • Marriage license (if applicable)
  • Proof of roundtrip airplane ticket to the country of origin

Once these documents have been processed by the immigration authorities, a landing-permit and a residence permit will be issued. It is essential that these documents be submitted to the University at least 8 weeks prior to arrival on the island of Curaçao. This allows sufficient time for processing.

Please note that all final decision rest with the immigration authorities and not with the University.

Contact Information

E-mail Addresses:

Inquiries from prospective applicants; questions about application status admissions@saiuniv.org

Billing inquiries; queries regarding enrolled student’s account status finance@saiuniv.org

Questions from enrolled students regarding hospitals, clinical clerkships, schedules, etc. clinical@saiuniv.org

Inquiries regarding faculty positions; staff positions and other career opportunities Humanresources@saiuniv.org

Questions about loan eligibility status, financial aid, grants, scholarship programs finaid@saiuniv.org

Questions about grades, transcripts, enrollment status registrar@saiuniv.org

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine dean@saiuniv.org

Direct email to the Chairman chairman@saiuniv.org

Questions about Graduate Training (Residency Positions), Dean’s Letters, and Licensing graduateaffairs@saiuniv.org

General Questions and Inquiries info@saiuniv.org