Located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) carries the prestige that students expect from the Harvard brand. Once you enroll in HSDM, you'll receive a world-class dental education amongst an exclusive group of peers—HSDM is the smallest program at Harvard by student population.
With the privilege of attending Harvard School of Dental Medicine comes unrivaled expectations. Academic difficulties, allegations of misconduct or unprofessionalism, accusations of sexual misconduct, and several other challenges could result in your dismissal from HSDM. If you're dismissed from Harvard, you don't typically fall to the next rung of the Ivy League. The consequences of dismissal will be eye-opening and unpleasant, so now is the time to fight.
Experienced attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team will defend you against any pending sanctions you face.
Why Students at Harvard School of Dental Medicine May Face Dismissal
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine Student Handbook explains that any violation of policies within may result in sanctions including “termination, dismissal, or expulsion…” The handbook highlights several issues that could lead to your termination, including:
- Prolonged poor academic performance
- Allegations of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct
- Academic misconduct
- Unprofessionalism
- Unprofessionalism
- Criminal convictions
- Allegations of substance abuse or misuse
There may be other alleged offenses or shortcomings that could lead to your dismissal from HSDM.
Adjudication Proceedings at HSDM
The HSDM Student Handbook explains that the Committee on Promotions or the Committee on Advanced Graduate Education typically oversees academic progression issues or allegations of student misconduct.
Adjudication of Academic Progression Issues
HSDM policy suggests that representatives from either the Committee on Promotions or the Committee on Advanced Graduate Education will review your academic records, speak with advisors and professors, and make a decision about your academic progression issue.
You will receive written notice of the presiding body's decision about your case, including any intent to dismiss you from the program. You will have the opportunity to appeal any academic sanctions or remedial action to the Committee on Promotions or Committee on Advanced Graduate Education.
Adjudication of Cases Involving Alleged Non-Sexual Misconduct
HSDM adjudicates “allegations of professional and ethical misconduct” (not including sexual misconduct) by:
- An initial review: A Screening Committee composed of faculty and a student member will review allegations of misconduct, determining whether to dismiss the complaint, proceed with further action, or attempt to resolve the case informally.
- Appointment of an independent fact-finder: If the Committee recommends further action, the Director of Student Affairs or the Director of Advanced Graduate Education will appoint an independent fact-finder (a Harvard faculty member, typically) to your case.
- Completing an investigation: The fact-finder will interview you, any complainant, and witnesses. The investigator may also request written statements and take any other necessary action to complete the fact-finding process. The fact-finder will then submit a written report of their findings.
- Completing Administrative Review and issuing sanctions: The Director of Student Affairs will lead a Review Committee to assess the fact-finder's report. The Committee will then interview you, and your attorney-advisor can accompany you to this interview. After resolving any issues of fact that remain unclear, the Review Committee will issue any sanctions it deems appropriate.
HSDM policy explains that the fact-finder's report is a de facto ruling. The Review Committee's responsibility is simply to resolve any unclear features of the report and issue sanctions, not to reach a finding of responsibility (or innocence) independent of the fact-finder's report.
Adjudication of Cases Involving Alleged Sexual Misconduct
Cases involving alleged sexual misconduct also follow the fact-finding and Administrative Review processes, but the Harvard University Title IX Office and Office for Dispute Resolution will lead the process. These parties may also oversee the issuance of sanctions and appeals related to alleged sexual misconduct. In some cases, a Review Committee will receive training and determine sanctions for alleged sexual misconduct.
Note: Even if the Title IX Office clears you of violating its policies, your case may then fall to a screening committee that will determine whether you violated HSDM's Policies on Sexual or Gender Based Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct. Therefore, it is critical that you maintain a relationship with attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team, as the adjudication may not be over.
Can I Appeal a Dismissal or Other Sanctions as an HSDM Student?
HSDM policy states explicitly that “A student may appeal to the Committee on Promotions or Committee on Advanced Graduate Education for reconsideration of its decision with respect to remedial action or sanction.”
The administrative body with which we file your appeal may depend on the nature of your student issue. Generally, any student ordered to withdraw from HSDM can:
- Appeal the decision
- Request another hearing led by an ad hoc Appeals Board, which includes three full-time faculty members
- Submit the written appeal
The appeal must cite specific grounds, which can include:
- A procedural error committed by the Review Committee
- Imposition of inappropriate sanctions based on the factual findings
Though you cannot challenge the factual findings of the Review Committee or Title IX office with an appeal, you may enact a change in the sanctions that you face.
How Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento Will Fight Your Dismissal
Potential dismissal from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, or even lesser sanctions, should have your complete attention. Hiring Attorney-Advisor Joseph Lento and his Team is wise, as the team will:
- Ensure that Harvard honors all the rights bestowed upon you
- Prepare you for and accompany you to all meetings and interviews
- Lead your appeal(s) in a prompt, thorough manner
- Negotiate directly with Harvard's Office of General Counsel (OGC), attorneys who may be able to resolve your disciplinary matter directly
The Lento Law Firm Team has successfully defended many Ivy League students facing serious sanctions, including dismissal. Our familiarity with student defense issues, and our proven track record in the most high-stakes cases, make our firm a logical candidate for your defense.
Contact the Lento Law Firm Today
Graduation from HSDM can be a golden ticket, and you must protect your enrollment at Harvard with all available resources. Let the Lento Law Firm Team lend our experience and resources to your defense.
Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.
