Medical Student Life Advisory Committee

A foyer with two benches flanking another bench situated under an oil painting. A chandelier glows above the scene.

Submit an Anonymous Comment

Charge of the Medical Student Life
Advisory Committee

The Medical Student Life Advisory Committee (SLAC) will act as an advisory resource for Dr. Princy Kumar, Senior Associate Dean of Students, and will focus on aspects of Medical Education which impact Student Life, including, but not limited to, cultural, safety, and environmental issues and concerns. Staff members of the committee will include the School of Medicine Ombudsperson, and Annaliese Heussler, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

The term of service for all other Committee members will be two years in length; each member will be expected to participate in four meetings quarterly. The Committee may opt to meet more frequently should the need arise. Elections for additional committee members will occur on an annual basis in October.

The Committee has been conceived in order to discuss medical students’ concerns without any influence in students’ evaluation or grade, within a confidential environment and to answer the needs of the student population. The committee will represent and advocate for medical students and their well-being. Simply, the committee goal is to continue working to improve Georgetown University School of Medicine’s diverse culture and life together. Students will be encouraged to bring issues to MSLAC which impact their personal and career life decisions, well-being and academic environment. Issues appropriate for their purview include, but are not limited to, the following: interpersonal conflicts or misunderstandings; mistreatment in the teacher-learner or peer-peer setting; uncertainty regarding career decisions; questions regarding professionalism; discussion about the possible need of referral for medical care, psychological therapy, drug/alcohol dependency treatment, concerns about having to appear before the Committee on Students (COS), family or social issues, tutoring, study skills, harassment, financial problems, and legal advice.

MSLAC offers freedom for confidential discussions. Students will have the opportunity to submit concerns via surveys in a password-protected and anonymous site (under the caveat that MSLAC has a responsibility to report any situation which may need to be disclosed where the case may do harm to others – for example abuse, gender, and racial discrimination, sexual harassment or personal safety of the student/others). Committee work includes collaborating with the Dean for Medical Education and the Senior Associate Dean for Students in developing the advising and peer mentorship programs to promote student work-life balance, safety net and support network.

The Medical Student Life Advisory Committee will allow medical students to report violations of the standards of conduct that are established for teacher-learner and peer-to-peer relationships (Appendix C of the GUSOM Student Handbook) without fear of retaliation. The Committee’s hope is that by advocating for our students, the University will in turn take appropriate action to address their concerns. This committee will provide an informal, impartial, neutral and confidential environment for students to discuss their concerns and disputes. The procedures will specify the mechanisms for the prompt handling of such complaints, and for the educational methods aimed at preventing student mistreatment. Read more: How to Report an Incident of Bias, Harassment, or Mistreatment.

Submit an Anonymous Comment Here

Committee Members

Clerkship Coordinator Reporting Team