Mistreatment & Harassment Resources

The AAMC defines mistreatment as follows: "Mistreatment arises when behavior shows disrespect for the dignity of others and unreasonably interferes with the learning process. It can take the form of physical punishment, harassment, psychological cruelty, and discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, sex, age or sexual orientation.”

Examples of mistreatment of medical students may include, but are not limited to: 

• Verbally abusing, belittling or humiliating a student or otherwise subjecting students to offensive remarks or names 
• Intentionally singling out a student for arbitrary treatment, including unwarranted exclusion from learning opportunities, that could be perceived as punitive 
• Violating student duty hours 
• Exploiting students in any manner (e.g., asking students to perform personal errands) 
• Pressuring a student to perform medical procedures for which the student is insufficiently trained (i.e. putting a student in a role that compromises the care of patients) 
• Threatening a lower or failing grade/evaluation to a student for inappropriate reasons 
• Committing an act of physical abuse or violence of any kind, (e.g., throwing objects, aggressive violation of personal space) 
• Taking credit for another’s work 
• Engaging in sexual misconduct that violates the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence 
• Engaging in racial or ethnic harassment 
• Engaging in discrimination that violates the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents Policy on Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action

The University of Minnesota Medical School, Twin-Cities and Duluth campuses, demonstrates its commitment to maintaining an environment of mutual respect between student, teacher, and between peers through:

• Maintaining and disseminating a Medical Student Mistreatment Policy
• Maintaining a Mistreatment and Harassment Oversight Team comprised of key personnel in the medical school on both campuses who can provide support or investigate allegations of mistreatment specific to the medical school
• Offering resources and programs to students, faculty and staff to promote a positive learning environment
• Providing Resources for Counseling, Advice and Informal Resolution

The Medical Student Mistreatment Policy informs the medical school community about:

• What constitutes medical student mistreatment
• Ways members of the community can identify mistreatment and the options available for the reporting allegations
• The responsibility of the Medical School to prevent retaliation against any persons who submit medical student mistreatment complaints
• The process by which allegations of mistreatment will be investigated in a prompt, thorough and impartial manner

The medical school maintains a Mistreatment and Harassment Oversight Team, consisting of key leaders on both campuses who serve as officially designated individuals for handling reports of mistreatment involving medical students. Individuals wishing to report an incident or seeking advice can contact the individuals listed below. 

Michael Kim, MD, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs - Twin Cities
mikekim@umn.edu | (612) 625-5180 

Robin Michaels, PhD, Associate Dean for Student Life and Academic Affairs - Duluth
rmichael@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8872

Susan Culican, MD, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
culican@umn.edu

Amanda Termuhlen, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
atermuhl@umn.edu

Academic Advising

Confidential Bridging Counseling

DEI Mentors

Student Conflict Resolution Center

Course Directors - contact information found on Course Directory

Reporting - Equal Opportunity & Title IX