9. USF Health Resources

REGISTRAR

Student Records Policy at USF

Student Access to Information

Pursuant to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”, 20 USC Par. 1232g), 34 CRF Par. 99.1 et seq., Florida Statutes Sub. Par, 228.093 and 240.237 and USF Rule 6C4-2.0021, Florida Administrative Code, students have the right to:

1. Inspect and review their education records.
2. Expect privacy in their education records.
3. Challenge the accuracy of their education records.
4. Report violations of FERPA to the FERPA Office, Department of Education, 400 Madison Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202
5. Bring actions in Florida Circuit Court for violations of Rule 6C4-2.001, Florida Administrative Code.

Copies of the University’s student records policy, USF Rule 6C4-2.0021, may be obtained from:

Student Confidentiality

The PA Program adheres to strict policies regarding the release of student information. Students are encouraged not to release class lists, addresses or phone numbers to individuals outside of the PA Program.

Release of Student Information

Pursuant to requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the following types of information, designated by law as “directory information”, may be released via official media of USF (according to USF policy):

Student name, local and permanent addresses, telephone listing, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, full- and part-time status, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, and other similar information. The University Directory, published annually by the University, contains only the following information: Student name, local and permanent address, telephone listings, classification and major field of study. The Directory and other listings of “directory information” are circulated in the course of University business and therefore, are accessible to the public, as well as to students, faculty, and staff.

Students must inform the USF Office of the Registrar in writing (forms available for that purpose), if they wish directory information to be withheld. Such requests must be received by September 1 and will remain in effect until the student has not been enrolled at USF for three (3) consecutive terms.

Notification to the University of refusal to permit release of “directory information” via the University Directory must be received no later than the end of the first week of classes in the Fall Semester.

Damaged/Duplicate Diplomas

The PA Program does not provide duplicate copies of your diploma. Under circumstances where a diploma has been lost, stolen or damaged we will supply a replacement diploma for a $10 fee [Florida Statute Sec. 1009.24(12) (r)] to cover costs of production and mailing after receiving a written, signed, letter stating the reason for the request. The request should include a $10 check made out to “UMSA”, and should be mailed to:

Office of the Registrar
Morsani College of Medicine
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 32
Tampa, FL 33612

In the case of a name change, the MCOM Registrar can also supply a replacement copy upon written request as delineated above, as well as receipt of the original diploma and a completed legal name change form.

Students entering the MCOM PA Program are assigned to a faculty member who will serve as their advisor and will work with the students throughout their matriculation. 

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

Tutoring

Students who are experiencing academic difficulties and are in need of tutoring may seek assistance by speaking to the Academic or Clinical Directors. They will provide suggestions and guidance as to where to find tutoring opportunities.

Reading, Study Skills and Test Taking Assistance:

Students who are experiencing difficulties with examinations may seek assistance through Tutoring and Learning Services. These services must first be set up through the PA Program's Academic or Clinical Directors.The program is directed by Dr. Patricia Maher. Contact Dr. Maher at 974-2713. Assessments of reading skills, study skills and test taking abilities are performed and a plan is devised to improve student examination performance.

STRESS PREVENTION AND PERSONAL COUNSELING

Three sources of professional assistance for issues related to stress and personal counseling are available to students at the MCOM PA Program.

Office of Student and Resident Professional Development 

Should a student express any concern requiring assistance, as an alternative to the P.A. Program's faculty, the student should be directed to Olga Skalkos, Ph.D. in the Office of Student and Resident Professional Development (813-974-8509 or oskalkos@health.usf.edu). Dr. Skalkos is a licensed psychologist and serves in a capacity much like an ombudsperson for students and residents. All interactions with her are confidential and independent of instructors and USF administration. Students may also be referred to the Office of Student and Resident Professional Development by other concerned students, residents or faculty.

Health Enhancement for Lifelong Professional Students (HELPS) -

The HELPS program is available to students for off-campus stress prevention and personal counseling related to a variety of concerns: psychological, legal, substance abuse, financial, academic, career, professional development, etc. The services of HELPS are available to you, any dependent eligible for insurance benefits and your significant other whether or not they are currently covered under your health care insurance policy.

Contact Information

Wood & Associates
4700 N. Habana Avenue, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33614
HELPS: (813) 870-0184
Out-of-area: 800-343-4670
Website: www.woodassociates.net

Costs

The first three (3) visits by you and/or each of your dependents and significant other to HELPS are at no charge to you, your family member or significant other. Additional contacts may be covered by your behavioral health insurance plan. If any testing is recommended, the costs will be the expense of the student, family member or significant other or may be covered by your behavioral health insurance.

There probably will be charges for most of the professional resources to which you, your family member, or significant other may be referred by your HELPS representative.

Through experience, Wood & Associates has found that many people contacting similar programs want assessment and support from a program representative for personal, learning, relationship or other concerns. Behavioral health insurance benefits may provide coverage for concerns requiring treatment. In some cases, your HELPS representative may suggest clinics, as opposed to private practitioners as a further step toward the lowest possible costs.

Confidentiality

Your contact with HELPS is confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics, the USF MCOM contract, and applicable federal and state statute.

Services Offered

HELPS is not a treatment program; rather, it is an assessment, support, and referral program. The following services are offered:

Problems that can be resolved by counseling or therapy:

1. Academic concerns
2. Learning disabilities
3. Vocational/aptitude testing
4. Career decisions
5. Interpersonal difficulties
6. Relationship problems
7. Troubled children/adolescents
8. Distress, anxiety, depression, other emotional concern

Alcohol or drug misuse or abuse of a personal or family nature.  When students present with a substance abuse problem, the student will be provided with appropriate referrals.

Problems that are typically resolved by the courts:

1. Divorce, child support
2. Property/lease suits
3. Court orders
4. Imprisonment

Money or credit problems.

Other problem areas of concern:

1. Care for aged/infirm
2. Local social services
3. Domestic violence
4. Immigration
5. Sex counseling

Individual or family crisis situations such as rape, assault, robbery, suicide or other life-threatening trauma.

USF Counseling Center

Students are encouraged to contact the USF Counseling Center when facing concerns associated with academic, social, and emotional issues. To request consultation services at no charge, please call 974-2831. Faculty from the PA program are not providers of care at the Counseling Center. Your contact with the Counseling Center is confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics and applicable federal and state statute.

Wellness Council

The MCOM Wellness Council is a collaborative effort among students, and faculty, who encourages students to take control of our own wellness.  The purpose of the Wellness Council is to promote academic, financial, mental/spiritual, nutritional, and physical wellness among the students and faculty at the USF MCOM.  Students are invited to attend events periodically organized by the Wellness Council.

Fitness Center

The Morsani College of Medicine Fitness Center is located in rooms MDC 1028 and 1029. These facilities are for the exclusive use of students, faculty and staff of the MCOM (MD, DPT, PA, Graduate Studies, and Athletic Training). No guests are permitted, including family members.

Users of the Fitness Center are responsible for keeping the facilities clean. Each user must bring a towel and wipe down equipment after use. Damaged or broken equipment should be reported promptly to the PA program.

The Fitness Center is not professionally staffed. Because safety is a primary concern, the following procedures have been established:

1. You must view the Fitness Center Video. Contact the PA Program faculty for access to the link.After viewing the video, please send an e-mail to the Academic Director in order to have your ID card swipe card access granted. (This requirement is necessary for liability issues.)　

2. A person may only use the Fitness Center when another USF MCOM community member is present.
   Violation of these procedures will result in loss of privileges for six months. A repeat offense will result in referral to the APPC. All other rules are posted in the Fitness Center.

STUDENTS AS HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH

PA students may be asked to participate as human subjects in research. Investigators must obtain prior written approval from the Program Director in order to allow students to participate as subjects. Likewise, Program Director may restrict the participation as experimental subjects if it is determined that this might compromise academic progress. Students are not required to participate in any research project.

It is USF Policy that all human subjects research conducted at the University, whether medical, behavioral, social or other, be governed by the University’s Institutional Assurance on file with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as amended from time to time, and applicable federal regulations. A copy of the Assurance can be obtained from the Division of Research Grants (DRG).

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