Student Services and Documents
Student Services
HEALTH SERVICES
Student Health Services at FMU employs one full-time nurse practitioner. Student Health Services provides acute care, health and wellness programs, birth control, STD checks, and assistance with mental health issues for FMU students, staff, and faculty. Walk-ins are welcome. There are no fees to be seen, but fees are incurred if off-site laboratory testing or additional diagnostic tests are necessary. Students may be referred to another medical provider as needed. Students are responsible for all fees incurred from referrals and diagnostic testing.
Student Health Services works closely with the FMU Counseling Center to meet the various mental health needs of students. Please call 843-661-1844 to speak to the Nurse Practitioner.
Student Health Services works to enhance the educational process by utilizing every opportunity to promote lifelong health through review of health and social history and habits, assist students to make informed health related decisions and become good consumers of health care.
Student Health Services is in Room 217 of Smith University Center. The hours of operation are 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday when the University is open.
The Student Health Center is available for:
- STD education, testing, and treatment
- Pregnancy testing and options counseling
- Birth Control
- Upper respiratory infections
- Diagnostic tests such as the rapid strep, rapid flu, COVID and urinalysis are available as indicated
- Acute gastrointestinal problems
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Rashes
- Insect Bites
- Depression, Stress, and Anxiety (Referrals made as necessary to Student Counseling)
Birth Control Options available:
- Birth Control Pills
- The Patch
- Nuva Ring
- Depo-Provera Injections
- Condoms
Hope Health at FMU is available if you need a primary care provider to monitor and treat chronic health conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc. They are located at 121 South Evander Drive and can be reached at 843-432-2935.
Any information given by students when seen in the Student Health Center will be treated as confidential. Information will be shared with the administration only in situations when suicide, homicide or abuse is a possibility. Students will be encouraged to share health care problems with their parents, but Student Health Service will NOT notify parents of a student’s visit.
Immunization Requirements
All new and transfer students are required to provide documentation of the following prior to the completion of registration:
- Completion of primary series of DTP and Polio
- Two doses of MMR Vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) administered after the first birthday and at least 30 days apart
- A tetanus booster within ten years prior to admission
- A tuberculosis skin test is ONLY required for international students within 12 months prior to arrival.
Failure to complete and return the immunization record will lead to a hold being placed on registration. Immunization forms from other agencies will be accepted if the FMU requirements are met.
Immunization Form and Tuberculosis Assessment Form Submission
Completed forms should be sent via email or mail to:
Francis Marion University
Student Health Service
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502
Appointments
Appointments are not required, however, you may call ahead and let the nurse practitioner know that you coming at 843-661-1844. Students are always welcome to call with routine health related questions and speak with the staff.
All students can expect the following:
- Provision of courteous, considerate care, as well as being treated with respect.
- Privacy and confidentiality with regard to treatment and medical records.
- Review of your medical records in the company of a professional, but they remain the property of Student Health Services.
- Information regarding the effectiveness of treatment, and to know of possible risks, side effects, or alternate methods of treatment.
- Introduction/knowledge of who is treating you.
- Option to refuse treatment, or to ask for a second opinion or an alternative course of treatment, and to be informed of the medical consequences of their actions.
- Information regarding personal responsibilities involved in seeking medical treatment and maintaining health and well-being after treatment.
Dissatisfaction with Services
Students may bring to our attention any dissatisfaction by contacting our Student Health Services Nurse Practitioner, Amy Shockley, FNP, 843-661-1844.
While FMU does not have a preferred insurance carrier, students may acquire insurance from the following vendors and services, depending upon their needs and requirements. International Students are required to maintain certain levels of insurance coverage as indicated below.
General health insurance may be purchased through the national Health Insurance Marketplace. Students should explore their options carefully as coverage, premiums, and eligibility varies.
International Student Health Insurance
Francis Marion requires all international students to carry health insurance for the duration of their stay which meets the below minimum requirements:
Students with a J-1 Visa
- At least $100k per person per accident/illness
- $25k for repatriation coverage
- $50k for medical evaluation coverage
- Medical deductible not to exceed $500 per accident/illness.
Students with a F-1 Visa
- $100,000 or greater major medical benefit (per accident or injury).
- $25,000 repatriation benefit.
- $50,000 medical evacuation benefit (to his or her home country).
- Medical deductible not to exceed $500 (per accident or illness).
If an international student has insurance that meets these requirements, they must submit a copy of the policy coverage and proof of validity (in English). Students may acquire insurance coverage from the following vendors:
U.S. Government Health Insurance Marketplace
ISO Med
US NetCare
Compass Benefits Group
https://www.studenthealthusa.com/
The Harbour Group
HTH Worldwide
MEDIATION SERVICES
The Dean of Students Office offers mediation services for students needing assistance. Mediation is voluntary, confidential and aimed toward positive communication. Sessions are scheduled with each party and should last no longer than one hour. Matters requiring additional time will be referred to outside resources.
Conflict Management and Mediation training are also available to students interested in improving their skills. Information regarding dates and times for conflict management and mediation training are available in the Student Affairs Office at 843-661-1182.
OFFICE OF COUNSELING AND TESTING
The FMU Office of Counseling and Testing helps students enhance their academic and personal well being. The office supports the educational mission of Francis Marion by helping students cope with college and life pressures that threaten persistence in college and enhance or learn skills that optimize personal effectiveness.
The Office of Counseling and Testing supports the academic goals of FMU by coordinating testing services for the University. For more information, visit the Office of Counseling and Testing webpage.
Student Documents
The following documents show the commitment of Student Life to the overall experience of Francis Marion students. Maintaining a just and safe learning environment for our students is one of the primary objectives of the Office of Student Life.
Statement of Honor
Upon becoming a member of the Francis Marion University community, students are expected to behave with honor and integrity in a manner that reflects the values of the institution. Students must interact in a civil manner, both in and out of the classroom, treating all persons and property with respect. Upon enrollment at FMU, students pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal. They also pledge not to violate the FMU Honor Code or any civil/criminal laws. Inasmuch as honor and integrity serve to define one’s character, the University community expects that students will not tolerate the aforementioned behaviors in others and will exhibit reasonable judgment in reporting students who violate the FMU Honor Code.
The Honor Pledge
“As a student at Francis Marion University, I pledge to obey the FMU Honor Code and civil/criminal laws. I pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal. I will encourage others to respect the Honor Code and will exhibit reasonable judgment in reporting students who violate it.”
Philosophy and Purpose
The FMU Honor Code consists of two sections: academic and student conduct. Each section contains the expectations, policies, and procedures that apply to all Francis Marion University students. These sections are designed to support the University community from disruption and harm, and to maintain appropriate standards of individual and group behavior. The sections should be read broadly and are not intended to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.
Authority of the University
The University reserves the right to take all necessary and appropriate steps to protect the safety and well being of the campus community. Any act committed by a student, whether on or off campus, which is determined by the University to be a threat to the safety or well being of the community or that is disruptive to the primary purposes of the University may result in the University taking action in accordance with community standards. Student, for the purpose of this policy, is defined as a person enrolled for one or more hours of academic credit, or in noncredit course or courses offered in the name of the University; or a person admitted or seeking admission to the University if action is related to University admission, function, or event. Violations by non-students may result in restricted access to campus or University events. Non-students are expected to abide by these policies as well. It is the responsibility of the student host of the non-student to make his or her guest aware of these behavioral expectations.
Civility in the Classroom
The classroom is an integral component of the educational community, and FMU strives to provide an environment appropriate to the University setting. Students are expected to interact in a civil manner, treating all persons with respect, and to adhere to behavioral standards contained in the respective course syllabi. Disruption of classroom instruction by students is not tolerated and will result in removal of the disruptive student or students from class. Disruptive or uncivil behavior in the classroom may result in appropriate disciplinary action, which could include suspension, expulsion, or other University sanctions.
Academic Conduct
A primary responsibility of an instructor is to certify that a specific academic assignment has been mastered sufficiently to merit college credit. An inseparable part of this responsibility is to take all possible precautions to ensure that the credit has not been attained by fraud. The instructor should rigorously enforce honesty concerning all academic work submitted by his/her students for evaluation. While it is difficult to define precisely and inclusively all aspects of academic dishonesty, the following statements should serve as a guide.
Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, wrongfully giving, taking or presenting any information or material by a student with the intent of aiding him/herself or any other person on any academic work that is considered in any way in the determination of the final grade. Plagiarism involves the use of the ideas or writings of another without acknowledgment of that use. A more detailed description is located in the Student Handbook.
Allegations of Academic Dishonesty
If a faculty member believes a student has committed an act of cheating or plagiarism, he or she should notify the student of the allegation and give the student an opportunity to respond. The faculty member’s department chair or school dean may be present at any meeting between the faculty member and the student. Whenever possible, this process should occur prior to the submission of final grades. When notification occurs after the submission of grades, the instructor will provide the student a post factum opportunity to rebut the charge. If, in the judgment of the instructor, the student is able to show that the charge is unsubstantiated, the instructor will withdraw the allegation and remove the academic penalty. If the faculty member determines that a violation has in fact occurred, he or she should then notify the Provost’s Office of the allegation in writing, with copies sent to the faculty member’s dean or department chairperson. The Provost or designee will serve as an adviser to the faculty member to assure that all appropriate due process is provided to the student and that proper procedures are followed. See the Student Handbook for details regarding the procedures.
Sanctions for Academic Dishonesty
Violations of the academic conduct policy strike at the very heart of the University and the teaching and learning process. It is the responsibility of the instructor to determine the appropriate academic penalty for an act of cheating or plagiarism. Normally these penalties range from failure on the assignment to failure of the course. It is responsibility of the Provost or his/her designee to apply general university sanctions for severe or repeat offenses. The first violation of the academic integrity policy typically carries no general sanction beyond the academic penalty. A second violation will result in the academic penalty in addition to a general sanction of suspension from the University for a term of no less than one fall or spring semester. A third offense will result in the academic penalty and a general sanction of expulsion from the University.
Reporting Violations
Campus Police officers, Residence Life and Housing staff, and other University officials are charged with the maintenance of appropriate student behavior. As a result, occasions may arise when these persons must confront students who they believe are violating University or residence hall standards of conduct. In such cases, these officials will make contact with the student whenever possible and inform him/her that they may be charged with a violation of the code.
If a violation occurs,
- Campus Police officers will normally inform the student who they believe has allegedly committed the violation and refer the student to the Dean of Students Office. The referral will normally include a prepared incident report.
- Housing staff may inform the student verbally that he/she is being referred for an alleged violation of standards. These staff members will subsequently prepare a report of the incident leading to the allegation. A copy of this report will be forwarded to the offices of Housing and the Dean of Students. Depending upon the seriousness of the alleged violation, the student will be informed by one the above named offices to report to that office within a certain period of time for adjudication of the alleged violation. The student will be required to meet with the University Conduct Officer appointed by the Dean of Students.
- Other community members such as faculty, administrators, or fellow students may also from time-to-time report alleged violations to the conduct officials of the University. In these cases, the alleged violator will receive a letter from the University Conduct Officer appointed by the Dean of Students.
Benefits of the Honor Code
- Creates a supportive peer environment that affirms honesty and discourages cheating
- Creates pride in belonging to a community with strong values and standards
- Promotes student ownership and responsibility in an atmosphere of mutual trust
- Promotes responsibility and civility among students
- Supports systems within the University and ties the campus community together
- Lasts beyond graduation, encouraging a lifelong adherence to the Honor Code
- Instills community trust in students and graduates of the University
The University deems it essential that members of the campus community be provided an adequate opportunity to bring concerns, complaints, suggestions and/or referrals to the attention of the administration with the assurance they will be treated promptly, professionally, fairly, and without fear of reprisal. If anyone believes he or she has been mistreated by any member of the campus community, the procedures below should be followed. These procedures are intended to simplify the proper route in which to follow to report any perceived mistreatment by a University employee or student and is not intended to replace any existing policy or process for matters that may be grieved (i.e. sexual harassment, grade appeals, etc.).
Concerns Regarding Faculty
Concerns about faculty on academic, advising, or other matters should be reported to the department chair or dean who supervises the professor or instructor. Faculty members should follow the procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
Concerns Regarding University Employees
Concerns about any form of perceived mistreatment by a university employee should be reported to the employee’s supervisor or the office of the Vice President of the division to which the employee belongs. Students who are unsure where to search can contact the Dean of Students Office.
Concerns Regarding Other Offices and Functions
Admissions, orientation, registration, or financial assistance issues should be reported to the Vice President for Enrollment Management or the Provost’s Office.
Concerns about billing, student accounts, or other administrative issues such as Campus Police, Dining Services, Bookstore, and Housing should be reported to the office of the Vice President for Business Affairs.
SC Commission on Higher Education Complaint Procedures
The SC Commission on Higher Education responds to formal complaints from students against public, independent non-profit and proprietary institutions of higher education in South Carolina.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman Office was created to address student non-academic complaints and concerns on campus. The Ombudsman helps students maneuver through campus procedures, policies, and regulations that may need clarification. In addition, the Ombudsman serves as an objective listener to student concerns and fosters student success.
Students should be aware that once a concern is reported, the complainant may be directed to take further steps or action to have the matter addressed. When reporting to the Ombudsman Office, the student will be able to determine the appropriate steps to address his or her concerns.
The Ombudsman Office is located in the Stokes Administration Building, Suite 111.
