Policies
For More Information:
Center for Global Health
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
645. N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1058
Chicago, IL 60611
tel: +1 312 503 8829
fax: +1 312 503 8800
d-young@northwestern.edu
- Academic Policies
- Additional NU Policies
- Admissions Eligibility
- Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990
- Funding for Long-term Global Health Projects
- International Health Insurance
- NU Policy on Alcohol and Drug Use, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination
- Immediate Suspension
- International Laws
- Refund Policy
- Sponsored Travel for Students
- Student Travel and Funding Policy on Global Health
Academic Policies
Admission to a NU Feinberg global health rotation / program is contingent upon a medical student's continued academic success. Should a medical student's admission to an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program be revoked as a result of poor academic performance, or based on a recommendation from the Student Promotions Committee (SPC), Northwestern University and the FSM Center for Global Health will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred in preparation for the intended time abroad.
Student Standards
Membership in an academic community requires mutual respect, consideration, and concern for the well-being of others, as well as a significant degree of personal integrity and maturity. Students who have engaged in misconduct or other unethical behavior, as determined by the Students Promotions Committee (SPC), may be precluded from participation in an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program. SPC actions may include reprimand, suspension, or dismissal of a student whose actions are found to be inconsistent with the qualities of a good physician. These vital qualities include:
- sound judgment
- personal insight or perception
- motivation
- personal integrity and accountability
- responsibility to patients
- ability to recognize personal limitations
- ability to function under pressure
Information concerning medical student conduct is made available to NU Feinberg Center for Global Health and will be considered when reviewing a student's application and may be considered a determining factor for a medical student's continued eligibility in an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program.
Students who have been put on disciplinary probation, suspension, or who have been reprimanded by the Students Promotions Committee are ineligible to participate in an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program during the period of their probation, suspension, or reprimand. Students who have been suspended, withdrawn, or dismissed from the University are ineligible to participate in an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program. Should a student's admission to an NU Feinberg global health rotation / program be revoked as a result of disciplinary action or conduct violation, Northwestern University will not be responsible for refunding any expenses incurred in preparation for the intended time abroad.
Students may review the policies of the Student Promotion Committee in the FSM Student Handbook.
Additional NU Policies
For more information, visit the NU Policy site.
Admissions Eligibility
Applicants for NU Feinberg's global health rotations / programs are evaluated on academic record (i.e. good standing status with the Registrar), recommendations from the Student Promotions Committee (SPC), and appropriate academic and clinical preparation (prior experience and familiarity with global health issues and ability to contribute within a clinical environment). An integrated review of a student's academic background and University record is required to confirm admission to a NU global health rotation / program. The Center for Global Health reserves the right to approve, waitlist, and/or deny any medical student application. Feinberg global health rotations / programs are not open to NU undergraduate students or to other medical and/or graduate students at other universities.
Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990
As provided by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Northwestern students, faculty and employees are entitled to request and receive a copy of a Northwestern University's Annual Security Report. Reports are available for the Chicago / Evanston, Miami, Qatar and Washington, DC campuses. These Reports includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported qualifying Clery Act crimes that occurred on campus; in, as applicable, certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Northwestern University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The Reports also include institutional policies concerning campus security and safety on topics such as crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, emergency preparedness and other matters. You can obtain a copy of any of these reports by contacting the Northwestern University Police Department Deputy Chief at (847) 491-3256.
The report can also be accessed from the University Police website.
Funding for Long-term Global Health Projects
Funding for long-term global health projects is available to support FSM student engagement in global health and to encourage student interest in and understanding of cross-cultural competencies, social determinants of health, and clinical practice in resource-limited settings, among other topics. Students can click here to learn more about the policies associated with long-term funding.
International Health Insurance
To ensure a safe and fun experience when traveling abroad, it is important to understand the extent of your insurance coverage. Students may click here review the Student Health Insurance policy. Students who are NOT enrolled in NU-sponsored insurance should speak with their insurance provider to learn about coverage while abroad.
HTH Insurance
Northwestern University offers its students, faculty and staff supplemental HTH travel insurance at an additional cost. HTH insurance covers primary care when traveling abroad for a nominal weekly fee (under $10 per week). HTH is not meant to be a substitute for domestic health insurance but covers an individual for certain services when outside of the U.S. Students may learn more about HTH insurance by clicking here.
International SOS (ISOS)
International SOS is a supplementary travel service, which NU purchases on behalf of all university faculty, students and staff. ISOS provides worldwide assistance and evacuation services to all NU students and employees who travel outside the United States to study or conduct University business. Students may learn more about the ISOS services by clicking here.
NU Policy on Alcohol, Drug Use, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination
Alcohol and Drug Use
Please download and read the Drugs and Alcohol Policy Statement. Students are responsible for understanding this information. Please keep in mind that being alert and being sober are keys to personal safety.
Sexual Harassment
Please download and read the Sexual Harassment Policy Statement. Students are responsible for understanding this information.
Discrimination and Harassment
Please download and read the Discrimination and Harassment Policy Statement. Students are responsible for understanding this information.
Immediate Suspension
Participating students and faculty will abide by the policies, rules, and regulations in effect at the host institution as stated in the student handbook of the respective institutions. Students whose academic work or behavior is deemed not suitable may be terminated from participation by the Program Director of the host institution, who has sole authority to suspend and/or terminate the rotation and/or program of the visiting student. If in the opinion of the Program Director at FSM's affiliated institution a student's behavior presents an imminent threat to the student's physical or emotional health, safety, or well-being, or the health, safety, or well-being of others, the maintenance of public order, or the effective continuation of the educational process, the Program Director may immediately suspend the student from the program prior to any formal disciplinary proceeding. The director shall promptly advise the Center for Global Health of the circumstances of the suspension. The student will be responsible for returning and for making alternative housing arrangements on his/her own and at his/her own cost.
International Laws
Faculty, staff, and students should be aware that in addition to the university sanctions, all program participants are subject to the local laws of the host country, which may specify fines or imprisonment for conviction of offenses. When appropriate or necessary, NU will cooperate fully with international law enforcement agencies. Inform yourself on the laws of host country, particularly in regards to controlled substances.
Refund Policy
Tuition
Tuition refunds are subject to the policies of NU's Office of Student Financial Services. Students may review tuition rates, billing dates, and refund policies by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
Student Airfare
Airlines have specific refund policies for different fares. Please review any ticket's policy before purchasing. If a student decides to withdraw from a program/rotation, and has purchased an airline ticket, that student is responsible for all airfare expenses incurred / committed.
If the rotation/program is cancelled for any reason, the Center for Global Health encourages students to contact the airline company directly to inquire about refund or credit for the flight. The Center for Global Health cannot be held responsible for airline tickets if a program/rotation is cancelled.
Sponsored Travel for Students
The Center for Global Health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine allocates travel funds to select FSM students who wish to pursue a global health rotation/program at international sites. CGH’s sponsored travel policy specifically applies to the International Health Fellowship (IHF), the Feinberg Travel Grant (FTG) and the Global Health Initiative (GHI).
Award amounts for the IHF and FTG are determined on a case-by-case basis by the global health education steering committee in the Center for Global Health. The GHI funds come from a private donor of the university who sets their own giving levels. Travel awards are not guaranteed to every FSM student who applies.
I. Eligibility Requirements
A. Applicants must be registered as full-time matriculated medical students at the Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) to be eligible.
B. The medical student must be in good standing at the time of proposed travel.
C. Feinberg Travel Grant applies to clinical rotations and public health/research projects at any one of FSM’s affiliated international universities or clinics.
D. IHF and GHI awards apply to clinical rotations and public health/research projects at affiliated partners and unaffiliated international sites that have been reviewed and approved by CGH.
E. If awarded funding, a student must submit the appropriate financial paperwork and complete CGH’s required application, orientation, and evaluation steps.
F. Students must submit the CGH online evaluation, an evaluation from their preceptor if receiving elective credit, and/or a scholarly paper for research projects to the Center for Global Health upon completion of the project.
II. Funding Restrictions
A. Students may not receive funding from more than one source from Northwestern University for the same rotation/project. Sponsored FSM and NU travel sources for students include, but are not limited to, FSM’s International Health Fellowship, Feinberg Travel Grant, Global Health Initiative, the Program in Public Health, the Medical Student Summer Research Program, and Office of International Program Development.
B. Travel funds may not be deferred and must be used for the approved rotation/project within the same academic year that the award is issued.
III. Taxable Income
Scholarship payments issued by Northwestern University may be considered taxable income by the IRS depending on a student’s individual financial situation. No taxes will be taken out of the scholarship payment at the time of payment if processed by NU’s Payroll Department, but students should be aware that they will receive a 1099 tax form at the end of the fiscal year, and that NU is obligated by federal law to report this income to the IRS.
The 1099 form allows the IRS to track miscellaneous income and is required when miscellaneous compensation, such as an award, exceeds $600 during the tax year. To learn more about Northwestern University’s payroll policies and to review relevant IRS forms and policies, click on the link to NU Payroll.
IV. How Do I Receive My Travel Funds?
This section explains what information FSM’s Center for Global Health requires from students in order to process an award. The preferred method for FSM students to receive their award is via NU’s Accounts Payable. Awards will generally be processed within 3-4 weeks of receipt of completed forms. Students must submit the following information to the Center for Global Health in order to receive the award via Accounts Payable:
A. W-9. Available on the IRS website
B. Copy of your award letter
If a current FSM student has previously been paid via NU payroll at anytime in the last twelve months, then the award must be processed via NU Payroll. Paperwork submitted before the 10th of the month will generally be processed by the end of the same month, while paperwork submitted after the 10th will be process at the end of the subsequent month. Please note that all such timelines are an approximation only and that students may have to wait longer periods of time depending on individual financial circumstances. Students must submit the following information to the Center for Global Health in order to receive the award via Payroll:
A. Personal Data Form. Available online on NU Payroll's website
B. Copy of your award letter.
Contact Information: All forms and paperwork should be submitted directly to: FSM’s Center for Global Health, 645 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1058, Chicago, IL, 60611. Attn: Lauren Peterson, Financial Administrator. If you have questions, please contact: lauren-p@northwestern.edu
V. When Travel Funds Must Be Returned to FSM
FSM students may be required to return FSM travel funds that are awarded to support a global health experience if any one of the following conditions occurs:
A. An FSM student is dismissed from a visiting rotation or medical education program at an international site by the host institution’s program director for unprofessional or unethical behavior.
B. A student leaves a visiting rotation or medical education program early and without prior permission from both the host institution and FSM.
C. Unforeseen emergencies, natural disasters, or another force majeure causes the cancelation of a visiting rotation or medical education program before the rotation / program begins. In such cases, it is the student’s responsibility to contact airlines, travel agents, and places of residence where they intend to stay to cancel reservations and request refunds as soon as reasonably possible. Cancelations that occur due to emergencies, natural disasters, or force majeure during a rotation / program at an international site will be handled on a case-by-case basis and under such circumstances students should contact the Center for Global Health as soon as possible.
D. A student completes the rotation / medical education program and FSM later learns that the student acted in an unprofessional or unethical manner and is consequently disciplined by FSM’s Student Promotions Committee.
If any of these situations occur, the funds must be returned by the student to the Center for Global Health within 30 days of the request and before graduation, whichever date comes first.
Student Travel and Funding Policy on Global Health
Effective January 3, 2011, the Feinberg School of Medicine's Center for Global Health establishes the following policy for Feinberg students participating in all clinical away-rotations and medical education programs at international sites. This policy covers areas including preparation requirements, academic and clinical standards, funding, student organizations, minimum program duration, beneficiaries, sustainability, insurance, liability, health, safety, and security. Please carefully review the policy here.
This page last updated Oct 26, 2012