Biomedical Informatics Program Policy
Academic policy for students in the Biomedical Informatics Training Program is set, by the University and then the Biomedical Informatics Executive (BMI exec) Committee. (See the People Directory on the navigation bar for a listing of the members of the BMI exec). For University guidelines - see the Guide for New Graduate Students or the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures - GAP Handbook
The record of the policies of the BMI Exec can be found first in the Bulletin, then the BMI Student Handbook and then finally these webpages. We try to maintain consistency but this is difficult given the difference in frequency of announcements and changes vs. updates to these documents. Updates to BMI policies are usually discussed with the student Czars, or announcement at program events or sent via email. You may need to refer to an email or memo for the latest policy.
The BMI executive committee creates the program policies and writes the documentation and the Committee is the ultimate authority to resolve inconsistencies, conflicts between documentation or policies.
VACATION POLICY
Students may have up to 4 weeks of vacation a year. You must check with your P.I. or research advisor before making travel arrangements; First Year students should check with Student Services Officer. All students should contact Student Services Officer and let her know if the travel will take place longer than one week, in case we need to contact you.
Students should plan their personal travel carefully. It is not advised to travel during the quarter if you are taking courses, around the time ofthe Qualifying Exam, or other important milestone. Senior students may participate in various trips to support their research or job search.
FAMILY LEAVE
Maternity or paternity leave is granted to full time graduate students. Please see the university policy for more information: http://www.stanford.edu/deptiDoR/GSHichildbirth.htrnl
EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT
Past experiences with our program have taught us that external work commitments, especially in areas that overlap with research interests in the lab, always lead to problems. We accordingly ask that you think carefully before accepting such positions and avoid jobs that will put undue time pressures on you or will create potential conflicts at the scientific level with work going on in the lab here. Such involvements are not in your best interest, and they can significantly delay the completion of your training. If you do take part-time or hourly positions outside the university, our guidelines require that the BMI exec group be fully informed. Such work is definitely your right to pursue, but it is also appropriate for us to be aware of such involvements when they exist. A maximum of eight hours per week is allowed for outside work. Failure to obtain approval before accepting work off campus is a cause for canceling registration, and therefore candidacy. Students must register for all quarters and be on campus, unless specifically approved otherwise.
